seeing her for the first time. Her eyes sparkled with so much love and happiness it made my heart stop. And her dress... It was sheer perfection as if it were made to fit her body. But despite how good it looked, I couldn’t wait to peel her out of it later.
The very thought had my blood running hot.
“When do you think we can leave?”
“It’s still early, we can’t just—”
“I want you, Mrs. Marchetti. I need you more than I need my next breath.”
She flushed, staring up at me through hooded eyes. “Soon.”
“Room for a little one?” Nora’s arms went around us both as she wiggled between us.
“Me too,” Alessia called, joining the huddle. Matteo and Dane were next, then Arabella and Bailey. Enzo hovered on the periphery until I beckoned him over and he reluctantly joined the fray.
“Only for you,” he mouthed.
“Thank you.”
Watching them surround us, witnessing their smiles and laughter, the joy radiating from everyone, it was the best feeling.
I’d spent so long at war with myself, with my destiny. But my father was right.
Love didn’t make you weak, it made you strong.
And I had everything I needed right here.
Good friends.
A loving family.
And the other half to my soul.
My wife.
Sunlight streamed down on me as I peeked open an eye. Arianne was curled up into my side, snoring gently, the sheet pulled up around her naked body. Hazy memories filled my mind of stripping her out of her dress and making love to her on the bed, and again in the walk-in shower. There wasn’t a single inch of her skin I hadn’t teased and tasted, branded with my lips.
My dick stirred to life, rubbing against the curve of her ass.
“Hmm,” she murmured. “Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?”
Laughter rumbled in my chest as I hooked my arm around her waist and dragged her body closer. “Good morning, Wife.” I nipped her shoulder.
“Good morning, Husband.” She tilted her head, giving me her mouth. I kissed her, slow lazy licks of my tongue that had me desperate for more.
“How are you feeling?”
We’d barely slept, too lost in one another.
“I feel—”
A loud knock at the door sounded. “If that’s Enzo, I will strangle him.”
“It could be important. You should go see who it is.”
“Okay, but don’t move. I’m going to send them on their way and then come back and finish what we started.”
“We started something?” Her eyes finally opened, heavy lidded with sleep.
“Don’t. Move.”
“So bossy.” Arianne laughed softly as I climbed out of bed and pulled on my dress slacks.
The bridal suite at the Country Club was secreted away at the back of the property. One entrance in and out, with a balcony overlooking the lake and golf course. A balcony I had hoped to enjoy this morning with Arianne, when they delivered us our champagne breakfast.
“What?” I yanked open the door to be met with Enzo’s pale face. “What happened?”
“It’s Nora—”
“Nora?” Arianne gasped and I winced.
“I thought I told you to stay put, Bambolina?” I slipped my arm around Arianne’s shoulder and drew her into my side.
“Did you hurt her?”
“What? No!” Enzo balked. “She’s gone.”
“Gone? What the fuck do you mean, she’s gone?”
“I... we...” He inhaled a ragged breath. “After you called it a night, we stayed up drinking. One thing led to another and I ended up in her room. But when I woke up this morning, she was gone.”
“Maybe she didn’t want to do the awkward morning after?” Enzo wasn’t exactly known for his bedside manner.
“That’s what I thought, but all her shit is still in the room.” He held out a cell phone.
“That’s Nora’s,” Arianne whispered, taking it from him.
“Is there any sign of forced entry? A fight?”
“Nothing.”
“You were there the whole night?” I asked him because nothing about this made sense.
He nodded. “But I think I passed out. Things got pretty wild... Fuck.” Enzo dragged a hand through his hair. “I told her security guy to take a hike. I had my gun and knife right there.”
“N- no.” Arianne dug her fingers into my side. “You think she was... taken?”
“It had to be him.” Enzo looked murderous. “I’ll kill, I’ll fucking—”
“Calm down.” I levelled him with a hard look. “We don’t know what happened yet. There might be a perfectly reasonable explanation.” I knew he was most likely right, but I didn’t want to worry Arianne unnecessarily.
“Have you raised the alarm with anyone else?” I asked.