“Yes, yes. Just like that. Ilaria.”
My name on his lips sounds like a fevered prayer as he comes inside of me. Wet warmth make my eyes widen, cheeks flushed from the heat of him filling me.
The way he rocks through the aftershocks of his orgasm, kissing my shoulder blades as he mutters soft promises of love and safety against them.
When he slides out of me there is a rush between my legs that the sheets catch. A mix of our orgasms and my purity staining the sheets in a wet mess that men can have pride over.
Dante stands, picking up as he carries me into our bathroom and wetting a washcloth. He strokes it between my legs, washing away the mess of cum and blood as I watch him.
The tenderness of a man who is going to take over a family that runs the city. But to me Dante will always be this, my husband. The man who cares for me. The man who loves me.
“Are you alright?”
He has switched washcloths, frowning at the small bit of blood staining my silk stockings. Stroking it with his thumb like he is in a trance before he is looking at me like he hurt me instead of completing me.
“With you, I’m always okay.”
40ILARIA
Dante helped me into my reception dress, a silk slip dress that hugs my curves. His hands so gentle as he touches me. Just as gentle as they were when he cleaned me up after we made love.
The dress change is what we are going to tell people was the cause for us leaving the wedding. Our love making staying private between us.
“You’re so beautiful, wife.” His hand reaches out, his rosary bumping my wrist as he weaves our fingers together.
The pair of us are looking in the mirror at each other and I wish that I could call it a night but I want to talk to my friends.
Ten minutes later we’re being announced as a couple, walking towards the head table where our friends are waiting for us. And I feel better seeing my girls there.
As dinner is being served I make an excuse to Dante and then we’re all taking over the bathroom. Tessa is shoving a chair under the door as Maddie opens a window and pulls out a pack of cigarettes. We all are one because we need to talk and this is how we’re going to do it.
“Sammie, I am so sorry.” I whisper out because I can feel the sting of tears, “I didn’t want you to have to marry anyone. And I didn’t know that he was part of everything.”
Sammie’s ex from high school, the one person who she ever loved being in the Cartel had been something from left field that none of us expected.
She looks at me, pushing off from the counter and wrapping her arm around me in a hug.
“Ilaria, we all came into this together. This friendship is always going to be us doing everything together. So I have to marry my ex for a year. All that means is that I’m finally going to get revenge on him.” She smiles at this and we all know that he deserves whatever crazy that she is about to bring to him.
Turning, Sammie looks to where Becca is smoking near the window. She is looking at her like I must have just been looking at her.
“Are you okay, Becca?” It had been for Becca that we had started the revenge and now we were marrying into it.
Smiling, Becca shrugs her shoulder.
“I mean you are marrying him. I feel like this is the cherry on top.” We laugh at this, “But seriously, the past couple years hitting them up has been so healing. I don’t think I’ll ever get over it fully. What happened was awful but I do think I’m not hung up on it like I was before. I’m just ready to move on.” She shrugs as she takes a drag of her cigarette as Tessa bumps her arm.
“Move on like finally sleep with Francesco?” Her eyes narrow.
“Don’t say his name. Haven’t you learned your lesson?” She hisses, pushing open a stall like he is suddenly going to appear there.
We all smile and she shakes her head, ready to protest what we’re doing.
“Francesco.”
“Francesco”
“Francesco.”
“Darling Doves, did you call for me?” A knock on the bathroom door makes us all dissolve into a fit of giggles as Becca glares at us.
“Go away!” She calls out and Fransisco snorts from the other side of the door but we hear him move away as we all finish our smokes, the air cleared between us.
Maddie opens her clutch bag and I groan as she starts hanging out little bottles of cinnamon liquor.
“We have to do it.” She says as we all crack them open, stepping closer to each other.
“To good times, good friends, and good trouble.”
And we take our shots, ready to go enjoy the night together because it’s a party and what’s better than being with your besties at a party?
41DANTE
Ilaria looks beautiful in her reception dress, drinking from the champagne bottle as her friends dance with her, screaming along to lyrics of a song, and leaning against each other with the love that they share for each other.
She shimmers like a star in the sky against the backdrop of Boston harbor and I’m already thinking about getting her home, making love to her in a bed this time.
Having her drag us away from the pictures because she wanted me that badly was the highlight of my life.
Seeing her take me for the first time, the way she made those sounds mewls of pleasure mixed with the hiss of pain as she accommodated me. I had to adjust my pants, my cock already missing the warm wetness of her body.
The song changes and I’m standing, making my way over, wrapping Ilaria in my arms and watching the way she melts against me.
Her eyes sparkle as she presses against my chest, cheek against my chest as I drop a kiss on her head.
“Te amo, moglie mia.”
She smiles, as she looks up at me and I know that no matter what happens in life, as long as she looks at me like she does in this moment, I will be happy.
“I have a surprise for you.” Her eyes look up at me as I lead her to the balcony, as an announcement is made for people to go outside.
They give us space as I hold Ilaria in my arms just as the firework display starts, lighting up over the harbor and making my sweet Ilaria gasp in surprise.
Her hands cover her mouth, leaning against me as I see the tears that are already starting to burn there.
