Sweet Temptation

by Cora Reilly

“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.

“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.”

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.

“You get jealous over men watching me from afar, knowing full well that you gave me my first kiss in church today? You never had to share me, nor will you.”

Giulia raised her chin. “While I understand your need for me to look like a lady in public, I can’t see why I can’t wear the clothes I love in private. Only because I’m your wife now doesn’t mean I’m not still me. I won’t become someone else only because you don’t like who I am. You chose to marry me. You can’t form me into the wife you want. You can’t control everything, even if you think you have to.”

She regarded my arm then looked up. She stepped closer until we were almost touching, throwing me off. “What will you do if I don’t obey?” That goddamn strawberry scent filled my nose. Wrapping an arm around her waist, I jerked her toward me and lowered my head for a harsh kiss. She stiffened in my hold, gasped into my mouth. What the fuck was I doing?

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.

“Goddammit it, yes, just like that, honey,” he growled, and I almost came again. Had he just called me honey?

“Bed,” I whispered. “Fuck no.” I blinked but Cassio didn’t allow me to get my bearings. His mouth on mine, he grasped my upper thighs and hoisted me up. “Right here. Against this wall.”

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

Losing Gaia hadn’t hurt. For one, because she’d betrayed me, and because I’d never loved her. 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.

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

“They are our kids, Cassio. I told you before and I’ll tell you again. I love all three of you.” I stared, my anger slipping away faster than quicksand. “What?”

Fuck, I loved her, even those bangs I hated in the beginning, even those horrendous sunflower dresses, even when she disrespected me by rolling her eyes. God, especially then. I grasped her cheeks. “I love you too.”

“What… you do?” “You really have to ask?” She searched my face with the same disbelief I’d felt only moments before. “Say it.” “I love you.” “Again.” I chuckled. “I love you.” “I love you too.” I kissed her, pulling her close. Eventually, she pulled back. “Are they my kids?” “They are,” I said. “Then allow me to decide with you.”

“You brought chaos into my life.” “You like my kind of chaos.”

It was as easy as that. Whenever I looked at the photo of Giulia and our little family that I carried in my wallet, one overwhelming feeling filled me: happiness.