“Lorenzo...Lorenzo said you spoke about marrying me when you were in the restaurant,” I mumbled.
Alessandro gave me a baffled look, then shook his head.
“Lorenzo needs to learn to keep his mouth shut,” he murmured.
I stared at him in wonder. “Is it true?”
“What if it is?” he asked softly. “Would that make a difference, tesoro?”
I shrugged. “Why?”
“Why what?” He arched his eyebrows.
“Why would you think about marrying me so far back?”
“I told you,” he said in a hot whisper. “I wanted you very much. I still want you, Olivia.”
“But why marriage?” I still didn't understand.
He leaned his forehead against mine. “Because you're special.”
“But—”
“Not now, tesoro,” he interrupted. “I have waited for this night for a long time.”
Remaining so close that I could hear his very intake of breath, he reached behind my back and released my hair from its neat bun. A cascade of dark wavy locks fell down my back as Alessandro started laying soft kisses along my neck, and it was clear he couldn’t be distracted. Overwhelmed by what was to come, I stumbled away and stared with doe-like eyes, deciding against all odds to plead for consideration.
“Please,” my voice came out in a constricted whisper. “Please give me a little time.”
He paused, his eyes widened as if taken aback; like he hadn't expected to witness any show of weakness on my part.
“Do you realize what you’re asking, tesoro?” His voice was soft, but held an undertone of frustration. “I’m your husband and this is our wedding night. Haven't I been patient enough?”
I swallowed in anticipation as he stepped closer and smiled, caressing my cheek. The touch was electric.
“You’re overthinking things,” he murmured, leveling his lips with mine. “Let yourself feel instead.”
He pulled me closer and his lips connected with mine. First, he kissed me in the same way as during the ceremony—slowly and gently, but then he deepened the kiss with his tongue, and I crumbled under the evidence of his devouring possession. Despite his patience on the surface; something wild and dominant in his dark eyes emerged—something that scared me and made me feel like a helpless lamb standing in front of a hungry wolf that was about to attack. The thought made me shudder. I pulled back and wrapped my arms around my middle.
''I don't know you well enough to...to...” I couldn't make myself say it.
A triumphant smirk twitched the edge of his lips as he pulled me closer. “We're about to rectify that matter.” He caught my hands and leaned them against his shirt. “There is no need to rush, Olivia. I’ll let you explore before anything happens. You can start by taking off my tie.”
I blinked, looking at him in slight confusion.
“Come,” he murmured with encouragement. “Don't make me say it twice.”
The undertone of warning in his words made me oblige and I slowly undid his tie, letting it fall to the floor.
His dark eyes flashed with a strange flicker of light, and he smiled. “Now the shirt.”
Closing my eyes, I undid the first few buttons, then stopped because it was too much.
“It's okay,” he whispered. “Go on.”
Reminding myself why I should do as I was told, I forced myself to continue unbuttoning the rest of his shirt. His eyes were closed like he savored the feel of my touch against his skin.
“Take it off, tesoro,” he ordered quietly when I didn't do anything for a few moments.
Slowly, I peeled the long sleeves of his shirt down his arms. For a moment, I observed his chiseled chest, admiring the undeniable beauty of this man; this experienced man who was now my husband. I flushed when he whispered to me in Italian again. I wasn't sure what he was saying but I knew they were words of appraisal. He kissed the top of my hand, then slowly led my fingers down his chest, all the way to his crotch. I gasped when his hard arousal touched my palm through the fabric of his pants. “Do you feel how much I want you, tesoro?” He smirked at my reaction, and brought my fingers to his belt, whispering with need. “Go ahead…undo my pants.”
“A-Alessandro,” I uttered his name with uncertainty, not knowing how much more I could take.
“Don't worry,” he murmured in a husky voice. “Just do as I say.”
A flashback appeared in my mind. Do as I say, Olivia, and you will find I am a lot easier to deal with than you think. With trembling fingers, I undid his belt and