Sweet Temptation

by Cora Reilly

Difficult I could deal with. It was the character traits beyond difficult that worried me.

“Your girl is terrified. She’s trying to put up a brave front, as she’s been taught, but I can see it in her eyes.”

Father smiled. “I’ll thank you for that. Go talk to her, Cassio. Do your old man that small favor.”

“When she returns, I’ll have a quick word with her.”

“Cruelty has a place, Cassio. Marria...

“Do you want to have another talk abo...

“My concern is that you forget that Giuli...

“Be a husband, not a mobster for once, how about that?”

something that didn’t sound like I was a Neanderthal about to claim her, not that it wasn’t true.

Gaia and I hadn’t talked much. She’d screamed or cried and sometimes talked sweetly when she wanted something.

“That, as my wife, you’re also entitled to my protection.”

Luca’s uncles—my fellow Underbosses that I couldn’t stand—were the first to demand I bed my wife.

Giulia’s father and brother did not take part in it. Christian gave me a look that bordered on threatening.

“Don’t make me kick your ass, big brother. Be good to that girl. She’s such a cutie.”

“It’s ginger ale.” I took a sip from the glass, surprised.

“That I should please you and try to mask my inexperience.”

“Right now, I’m just trying not to pass out from fear.”

“Do you think drawing it out will make it better?”

“Tell me what would help ease your fears.”

“If it felt like I had ...

“You have a choice,” I said, stepping...

“Do I?” she whispered, peering up at me. “Will you really ...

“I have to cut you out of your dress,”

I unsheathed my knife from the holster at my chest. Another tradition we couldn’t evade.

She regarded the blade with a small frown before she nodded. Turning around, she tilted her head to the side so her hair wasn’...

Her throat was long and elegant, perfectly unblemished, and I had to resist the urge to press my mout...

Sparing her had appeared easier when we hadn’t been married yet. That I had ever considered it an...

even though I’d never been a man for the sweet things in life, I suddenly craved it.

kiss to the spot right below her ear, and she surprised me by twitching and letting out a giggle. A teenage girl giggle. I paused then raised my eyes. She bit her lower lip, her expression caught between embarrassment and an uncertain smile.

I pushed up, stifling a sigh.

“I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I didn’t mean to laugh. I’m ticklish.”

“I’m fairly sure I know one place where you’re not ticklish,”

“You can’t know…” Her eyes widened.

“You mean…” She sucked in a quick breath. At least she understood my comment. If she’d stared at me b...

“Can I take them off?”

“Listen up. You’re right, you’ll be the one who’ll experience discomfort, but I can guarantee you that being bratty about it doesn’t help. If you work with me, it’ll be better.”

“It’s not just the pain. Until this moment, men were allowed to kiss my hand or dance with me at social gatherings, nothing more. And now you’re here, over me, half naked, and I’m half naked, and soon we’ll both be naked, and you’re going to…”

“Giulia,” I murmured, and her gaze settled on me. “Help me with this.”

Right this moment I knew she’d be mine forever.

Most women were waxed completely for the wedding night, and while I enjoyed that, with Giulia it would have only put emphasis on her age.

“Oh shit,” Giulia whispered.

My eyebrows shot up and for a second right there, I was sure I’d start roaring with laughter.

“Giulia,” I said imploringly.

“Can you hold me?”

Kissing her temple,

“I’m talking nonsense, aren’t I?”

Gaia had enjoyed playing the guilt card, had cried often to make me feel bad even when I’d tried to do everything to be decent.

“I don’t need to show my dominance by hurting you during sex. I’m Underboss, I rule over people on a daily basis. And while I enjoy hurting when it’s called for, I don’t enjoy hurting women or children. As for the last reason, maybe some men think a big blood stain makes the audience believe they have a huge dick, when in truth it only shows that they have no clue how to work that dick.”

“Know how to work my dick?”

“I think I do. I know today wasn’t pleasurable for you, but soon it will be.” She tilted her head in consideration. “Okay.”