Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 54160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Good. I didn’t know where Gabriele had found this man or what he’d offered him to oversee this quickie wedding, but clearly, it’d been enough to satisfy the officiant. He hadn’t asked any questions, until he uttered the most important ones.
“Do you, Luca Vitale, take Elenora Ricci to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage? Do you promise comfort her, honor her, and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her, for as long as you both shall live?”
Her hand trembled in mine. I firmed my fingers around hers to still their shaking, reassuring her without thinking.
“I do.” I sealed my fate with two words, promising myself to one woman for the rest of my life.
“Do you, Elenora Ricci, take Luca Vitale to be your wedded husband, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to obey him, honor him, and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him so long as you both shall live?”
Her tanned cheeks paled, and her throat worked, as though she was choking on the vow. Her lashes were lowered, hiding her eyes from me.
“Look at me,” I murmured, punctuating the gentle command with a squeeze of her hand, grounding her to me. Her hazel eyes met mine, and she blinked rapidly to clear away the sheen of tears. But it was too late; I’d seen the sign of her distress that she was so desperately trying to hide. Her back was straight, her shoulders stiff. Her white teeth sank into her pillowy lower lip to stop it from quivering.
“I’ll keep you safe,” I promised. “As my wife, you’ll be protected. I will provide for you, Elenora. I swear.”
I couldn’t promise her happiness; only she could make that decision. But I would do my best to ensure she experienced pleasure in my hands. I certainly expected to find my own pleasure in her gorgeous body. I had no intention of remaining celibate for the rest of my life just because my wife didn’t want me.
I’d scented her arousal in the car. Some part of her did want me. I could exploit that. She would learn to crave my touch.
“Make the vow,” I prompted when she didn’t say anything, keeping the words locked behind those lush lips.
She dropped her eyes again. “I do,” she whispered, binding herself to me forever.
If the officiant found it odd that I’d commanded my bride to pledge her fidelity, he didn’t say anything. Instead, he droned on. I accepted a ring from Nora—provided by Lorenzo—and slid another onto her finger, along with a massive princess cut diamond engagement ring. My friend had chosen a style well suited to poised, elegant Elenora.
“You may kiss the bride.” The officiant finalized the ceremony.
Her eyes were suddenly on mine again, sparking with defiance. Her chin tipped back, a refusal that I took as an enticing challenge. Her teeth flashed in a small snarl, a warning that the little kitten might bite if I dared to approach.
But I dared. I wanted to take a kiss from my spirited bride. I wanted to tame her, to make her melt.
I moved before she could jerk away, hooking one arm around her lower back to trap her against me. My other hand threaded through her long, silken hair at the nape of her neck. I twined my fingers in the chocolate strands, tangling them around my fist. I tugged sharply, and her lips popped open on a shocked gasp as I quickly took control of her willowy body.
I wanted to savor the trepidation in her wide eyes, but I didn’t waste my moment of opportunity; I had to seduce her while she was off-balance, or she might change her mind about using those teeth to bite.
My mouth descended on hers, demanding and unyielding. My lips caressed hers with enough force to make them swollen and sensitive. She stiffened in my arms, so I clenched my fist tighter in her hair to command her full carnal attention. I traced the line of her pillowy lower lip with my tongue, a soft contrast to my initial onslaught. She shuddered against me, and her head dropped back slightly, allowing me to claim her more deeply.
A savage, triumphant sound rumbled from my chest into her pliant mouth, and I stroked my tongue against hers. She was hesitant at first, and I wasn’t sure if it was from fear or inexperience. Both possibilities sent lust punching through my body, desire flooding my veins. I liked the prospect that my bride was untouched, that she would be mine and mine alone. I could introduce her to all the dark pleasures I enjoyed, mold her into my perfect, sweetly obedient wife.