Her eyes widened, those red lips falling open. “I… I’m not… I…” She bit her lower lip and looked away. The moonlight highlighted her smooth skin, unblemished and soft-looking.“Will you look at me?”She raised her eyes. I ran my thumb over her fingers to the ring, and she shivered slightly. “This ring makes you mine.”She tensed, and I realized I should have chosen different wording, something that didn’t sound like I was a Neanderthal about to claim her, not that it wasn’t true. I would claim her tonight, if only to follow traditions we both couldn’t evade, and she was mine, but that wasn’t what I meant to say. I wasn’t sure what to say to set her at ease. Nine and I hadn’t talked much. She’d screamed or cried and sometimes talked sweetly when she wanted something.“Tradition binds us, Matilda . Not just you, but also me.”I’d sworn to protect her, like a husband was supposed to protect his wife, and I would do my best to do a better job this time.“I know of our traditions,” she s
Her voice tore through my rising arousal. “Of course.”The gruffness in my voice made Matilda risk a glance up at my face. Then she hurried into the bathroom. Terrifying my young wife before I had to claim her was a fucking stupid thing to do.Loosening my tie, I walked over to the bench and sank down. My wedding ring, similar to my last one, seemed to mock me. I set my tie down beside me, listening to the sound of running water. Matilda would need patience and care. I had never had much of either to begin with. Since the mess with Nine , even less than before. I propped my arms up on my thighs, trying to reach a state of mind that would allow me to treat my young wife right. I didn’t want her to resent me.The door opened, drawing my attention to it and Matilda . She wore a dark blue silk nightgown that reached her knees and hugged her slender frame. Her hair fell down her shoulders in soft brown curls, freed of the too-cute sunflowers. Matilda didn’t move from her spot in the
Anger surged through me. I moved over her, bracing myself beside her shoulders. Her hands came up as if to ward me off, soft palms pressing against my chest. Her eyes widened, and she darted them to my pecs, her fingers shaking against me.“Listen up. You’re right, you’ll be the one who’ll experience discomfort, but I can guarantee you that being bratty about it doesn’t help. If you work with me, it’ll be better.”“It’s not just the pain. Until this moment, men were allowed to kiss my hand or dance with me at social gatherings, nothing more. And now you’re here, over me, half naked, and I’m half naked, and soon we’ll both be naked, and you’re going to…” She sucked in a deep breath.“I know,” I said quietly. “Don’t start to cry.”She drew her lower lip between her teeth. After a moment, she said firmly. “I won’t cry.” Then she peered up at me. “Why do you care? You’ve seen worse than someone crying.”I had. Far worse, and I hadn’t given a shit. But Matilda was young, too young, and m
“Do you take the pill?” I asked. It wasn’t the most romantic thing to say in a situation like this, but before today, I couldn’t bring myself to ask my teenage wife that question.A quick nod.I climbed on top of her and guided my cock to her opening, but she shrank back. I wanted to roar in frustration. “Matilda ,” I said imploringly.“Can you hold me?”My heart skipped a fucking beat. I nodded and lowered myself to my elbows then wedged one arm under my wife’s shoulder blades and hugged her to my chest. “Like this?” I murmured.Her face was inches from mine, and she looked up at me, seeking my help, my protection, my closeness. I kissed the corner of her mouth then her lower and upper lip as I shifted my hips so my tip nudged her entrance. She held her breath. I stroked her bangs from her sweaty forehead.“Breathe out.”She did, and I pushed into her about an inch.Her face flashed with discomfort, and she gripped my bicep.“If it’s too much, you tell me, and we’ll figure something
Leonard swung his legs out of bed. “I’m going to clean up.”My eyes raked over his muscled body, mesmerized by the hard planes, the ridges of his six-pack, and the narrow V of his hips. I was attracted to his body, which was a relief. My gaze dipped even lower, and the blood on his penis drove heat into my head. I looked away. I had been staring too long anyway. Looking down at myself, I cringed at the sight of my smeared inner thighs—a disgusting mix of blood and sperm. I slid out of bed, taking in the mess on the linens A small mortified sound slipped out of me.“Are you all right?” Leonard rumbled somewhere behind me.I turned, grimacing. “Do we really have to show these sheets?” “That was the point of us sleeping together.”Ouch. “So, you only slept with me because of the presentation of the sheets?”Now that we were married, I wanted Leonard to be attracted to me. It seemed a horrible fate to spend your life with someone who couldn’t bear touching you. I definitely enjoyed
I wasn’t a fan of physical contact at night and had often not even shared the bed with my deceased wife. Not that she would have ever dreamed of wanting to have me close at night. She never bothered to hide her reluctance to have me near her, least of all when we slept together—unless there was something that she wanted from me.Matilda had asked for my closeness and I’d denied her.The early morning light illuminated her puffy face. Her lashes stuck to her skin with dried tears. She was close, had moved closer in sleep until we were almost touching. I felt the unreasonable desire to touch her—and not in a sexual way. Propped up on my elbow, I watched her peaceful sleep. As with many nights before, Nine ’s blood-covered body had haunted my dreams. I hardly ever dreamed about the people I’d killed, and yet my dead wife still filled my nights.Matilda stirred, lips parting in a soft sigh. I pushed myself up and swung my legs out of bed, turning my back to her.The bed shifted. I thr
It was almost eight in the evening when we finally pulled up the driveway to Leonard ’s mansion, a magnificent three-story brownstone building with white columns supporting the porch, white window frames, and old crooked trees on the front lawn. Leonard parked in one of the double garages on the left.He got out and opened the door for me. My stomach hollowed with nerves. This was my home now, and soon I’d meet the children I’d raise. Leonard ’s hand found its place on my lower back again as he led me toward the magnificent white front door. Someone from his staff had gathered my belongings in the morning and brought them to the house.I released a shaky breath when Leonard put the key in the lock. His eyes cut to me. “This is your home.”I gave him a shaky smile, knowing he meant it. Yet judging by the way he’d handled everything so far, his rules would be the only ones he’d want followed within those walls. I’d have to fight for every bit of power and freedom—he wouldn’t hand
We broke away from the moment feeling embrassed the moment we realized we had been caught. "Sorry to interrupt the moment, but I need to speak with the both of you." Scorpion said with a smirk on his face.He stepped further into the room, grabbing a chair and making himself comfortable. He pulled out his phone. "I need you to listen to this." He said directing his statement to Vincent .We both paid close attention and soon realize the audio note playing was Orion's voice. "I need to sign the deal with the mob family if we want to elevate this position that we are in. I have sat down long enough and watched Vincent be incompetent and now that he is out of the picture, there is no stopping me." He boasted.I looked at Vincent who was listening, a look of shock on his face. "He is trying to ruin my company!" He stated."Exactly Vincent . Listen I need you to understand that Orion is becoming a menace. I know he has grown powerful, but we need to stop him. We need to put him in his p