I watched through hooded eyes as his tongue guided me through my orgasm with slow licks. His eyes were filled with his own need, his hunger for me and a hint of anger. He drew back, then licked over his upper lip. “Nothing better than your juices in my mouth,” he murmured, and I shivered with the remnants of my orgasm. “Another round,” he said before his mouth pressed up again and he continued his ministrations. I was still sensitive, but beneath it another orgasm was slowly building. I rested my head against the headboard and allowed myself a few more moments to enjoy Luca’s gentle mouth. His fingers returned to my waist, and he hoisted me back until I straddled his stomach before he knifed up and sat back against the headboard. I didn’t need encouragement. I positioned myself over his straining cock until the tip brushed my opening, then I took him in inch by inch until he filled me completely. We both moaned as our bodies connected. I leaned forward, my lips finding Luca’s mouth, tasting myself on him. I twisted my hips as our tongues slid against each other leisurely.

Pleasure was building inside my core. I moved faster, deeper, grinding and rotating, and Luca’s hips jerked up, meeting my thrust with his own. My eyes closed as he plunged himself deeper into me with every thrust. “So fucking gorgeous,” he growled as he pumped into me, and the corners of my mouth turned up, my eyelids fluttering open. I pressed my palms against his muscled chest, one hand over his Famiglia tattoo, over his heart.

“I’ll go wherever you go no matter how dark the path,” I whispered.

His grip on my hips tightened, tendons in his throat pulling tight. He was close. His hand ran down over my stomach, found my clit and pressed, and I came again, his own climax following a second later. I watched as his eyes closed, his lips parted. I loved the sight of him finding release. His arms wound around me and he crushed me to his chest, our bodies slick with sweat. I pressed my nose into the crook of his neck, breathing in his musky scent, hoping we were okay. His fingers trailed down my spine, then up again, and ended up playing with my hair as he so often did. Matteo had been right. I needed to cherish Luca’s love, his tenderness, his trust. It wasn’t something he gave freely, or at all, and for me he always had plenty.

chapter 8

LUCA

Today Aria and I had our first anniversary, but instead of spending it on our yacht in the Mediterranean, I was stuck in a meeting in New York, trying to be Capo and Consigliere in one person, which wasn’t working. I barely had time for her anymore. If she’d tell me where Gianna was, we could cut this ordeal short and Matteo could finally return, but Aria kept her silence.

“It’s ridiculous,” Uncle Gottardo said. “Matteo should be here helping you and not chasing his whore around Europe.”

“I can handle business on my own, don’t worry,” I said sharply.

My eyes moved on to Cassio, who represented his father while the man was in the hospital. “How are you faring with the Bratva? Did they give you trouble again?”

There had been a major Bratva attack on our drug depot in Philadelphia one month ago. “Not since I killed Sergej and his brother Jegor, but we have an MC that’s trying to sell guns in our territory.”

Cassio handled things in Philadelphia with a brutal hand like I did in New York. It was time for him to take over as Underboss officially, but I wanted to wait until Matteo returned before I announced the change. Of course, I had no way of telling when Matteo would ever return. Gianna had managed to evade him until now.

I nodded. We had trouble with a new MC in New Jersey as well, but so far they were too unimportant to warrant an attack.

“The Bratva won’t risk an attack in New York any time soon. I killed too many of their soldiers, but I think they might focus on Atlanta or Charleston next.”

My Underbosses nodded. I gestured at Uncle Ermano, who ruled over Atlanta, and he began his report. I settled back in the chair, knowing this would be a long evening.

I managed to be back home around eight, and only because I’d cut another one of Uncle Gottardo’s rants short. Romero greeted me with a nod then disappeared as I headed outside where Aria was stretched out on the sofa. The moment I spotted her, my annoyance disappeared. I couldn’t stay mad at her even if she was the source of my problems.

She got up immediately and came toward me, guilt filling her face. “I got sushi for us. It’s in the fridge. I thought we could soak in the Jacuzzi a bit. You need to relax.”

I nodded and kissed her, feeling fucking exhausted. Aria hurried back inside and I began undressing then slid into the hot water, groaning as my tense muscles loosened. Aria’s soft steps made me open my eyes. She carried a tray with a bottle of champagne, two glasses and a selection of sushi, which she set down on the edge of the Jacuzzi. I watched as she got out of her dress, and despite my tiredness my cock reacted to the sight of her naked body like it always did. She slid into the water then pressed close to me, and I wrapped an arm around her. She kissed my throat before she raised her eyes to meet mine, looking insecure.

“We are okay,” I told her and ran my thumb over her arm.

She nodded toward the champagne. I reached for the bottle and opened it, even if I didn’t feel like celebrating. I was fucking happy about my marriage with Aria, but today had been a long, shitty day and I wanted it to be over, anniversary or not.

Aria and I drank champagne then she reached for the chopsticks, picked up my favorite eel inside-out-roll and held it out to me. I took it, savoring the taste, and felt another bit of tension lift. When we were done eating, Aria straddled my lap and began massaging my shoulders. I leaned back, eyes closing.

Aria leaned close to my ear. “Why don’t we head up to our bedroom so I can give your back a thorough massage?”

“That sounds like a perfect plan,” I said in a low voice. Aria straightened, water dripping down that perfect body, and I rose to my feet and climbed out before I helped Aria out of the Jacuzzi as well.

After we’d dried off, we moved into our bedroom and Aria motioned for me to lie down on my stomach. I didn’t need to be told twice. She climbed on top of me and settled on my backside, her soft pussy pressed against my skin. Her fingertips traced the tattoo on my shoulder. “Have you ever regretted getting it?” she asked in a quiet voice.

“No,” I said without hesitation.

Aria shifted and pressed a kiss to the tattoo before her hands began their work, massaging the tension out of my shoulders and neck. “That feels so fucking good,” I rasped. I hadn’t even realized how tense I was.

Aria applied just the right amount of pressure on my back and I could feel myself relax further, my limbs becoming heavy.

I woke to Aria’s soft body curled against me, and sunlight tickling my face. My eyes shot open and I groaned. “Fuck.”

Aria’s eyelids fluttered, then she peered at me with those gorgeous baby blues. “What’s wrong?” Her voice was still raw from sleep.

“I fell asleep,” I muttered. “Not only did you have to spend most of our anniversary with Romero, but I didn’t even fuck you like I wanted to.”

Her lips twitched. “I think,” she began, propping herself up on my chest, “that it was a fitting ending to our first year of marriage. After all, you didn’t get any action on our wedding night, so it’s only fair I didn’t get any on our first anniversary.”