Sweet Temptation

by Cora Reilly

“You could marry her in early November. That way the wedding wouldn’t be too close to Gaia’s funeral.” “Why November?” “That’s when she turns eighteen,” Luca said. I stared at him and my father. Had they lost their minds? “The girl is almost fourteen years younger than me!”

Oh im bout to eat this shit upppp

“If Cassio wants a lady, he should stop robbing cradles,” I muttered. Mom gasped, clapping a hand over her heart like I would single-handedly put her into an early grave. Dad tried to mask a laugh by coughing.

Faro put the frame down. “She’s a cute kid. It could be worse.” “I sincerely hope she got rid of those braces and awful bangs.” My hand flew to my bangs. A mix of anger and mortification washed over me.

“We shook hands on the engagement, Felix. We settled matters with Luca. Everything is agreed upon. Given that we decided against a separate engagement, that makes Giulia my fiancée, and I’m telling you now that nobody, least of all you, will prevent this marriage.”

“There won’t be a presentation of the sheets because I won’t be sleeping with Giulia.” Luca lowered his glass slowly, his gray eyes narrowing. He knew it wasn’t because of Gaia, even if I hadn’t been with another woman since her death. “It’s tradition. It has been for centuries.”

Okayyyyy weirddd

Now, as her soft lips touched mine and her sweet scent hit me, a deeply buried desire kindled inside me. Claiming her tonight wouldn’t be a problem. Being a better man definitely wasn’t in my future.

I could hardly force food down my tight throat during dinner.

It wont be tight forf long

“What’s the matter?” “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.”

Giulia pursed her lips. “That I should please you and try to mask my inexperience.” She let out a huff. “Right now, I’m just trying not to pass out from fear.” Her eyes widened.

She reached up as if to feel my bicep then faltered. I gripped her hand and pressed it against my arm then flexed my bicep.

Hehehe

“You can shower first,” Cassio said. “We can shower together.” I flushed. “I mean, why waste water? There’s enough room for both of us.”

Hell yeahhhh get it girl

I could practically see Cassio’s restraint snapping. With a groan, he slung an arm around my hip and pressed a kiss right on my ass cheek before he pulled me on top of him. My lips were already parted with surprise when his tongue plunged into my mouth. His big hand covered the back of my head, holding me in place.

Hehheehe

A shrill cry burst through our bubble. We jerked apart. Cassio glanced to the baby monitor. “Simona.”

Fuckkkkk

Nothing in this world would make me give up Giulia now that I had her. Maybe she wasn’t the mother my children needed, but fuck, she was what I craved.

This was mind-blowingly amazing. “Goddammit it, yes, just like that, honey,” he growled, and I almost came again. Had he just called me honey?

“Maybe you need more time. You obviously don’t want my closeness except for when we have sex. I won’t push you, but I’m not sure I can do this. Not right now. I’ll give you the room you need and move into the bedroom beside Simona’s nursery. That way you’ll have the bed for yourself.”

me long for those whips again. “Stay.” I cupped her cheek. She leaned into the touch. I brushed her cheekbone. “Why?” “Because I tell you to.” She shook her head. “Give me another reason.” “Because I want you close. Because I liked falling asleep with your strawberry scent at night.”

“If you don’t like the scent, I won’t smoke them.” She narrowed her eyes then smiled. “Why do I get the feeling you never liked them to begin with?”

“Why would I cheat with any of those women? All I can think about is you.”

“I needed that last kiss before you’ll always look at me the way you looked at me when I attacked Christian.” He leaned back, looking off into the flames once more. “I killed my first wife.”

Andrea swallowed. “If you want an heir, you need to keep Gaia alive because Daniele and Simona aren’t yours. They are mine.”

Losing Giulia—I wouldn’t get over it. We hadn’t been together long, but in the weeks of our marriage, she’d brightened my days more than I thought possible.

“I don’t deserve you, Giulia, but my kids… our kids do.”

She wasn’t what I’d wanted in a wife, but hell, if she wasn’t exactly what I needed.

“What did she say?” “That Dad’s bad. That he hurt Andrea and that made Mom sad.”

aint no mf way a 2 year old remembers that lmao

“A man would be dead for threatening me.” “I’m not a man.”

He pressed the phone to his ear. “Hello, Cassio, I need you to come over.” Cassio said something on the other end, and Luca’s answering smile made my blood run cold. He shoved the phone back into his pocket. “Your husband is already here. Your bodyguard called him the second you entered this suite.”

Cassio squeezed my hip gently then kissed my temple. “Let Elia take you home.”

“Cassio, Luca knows about Gaia and Andrea,” I whispered imploringly, trying to get through to him. Cassio nodded. “I know. Your brother called to warn me about your father’s plan.” I froze. “What exactly did he say?”

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right here. You’ll have to drag me out.” Cassio shook his head but his eyes reflected his admiration. He bent down and picked me up without trouble despite my protests.

“Go home, honey.” His voice was silky and imploring.