Epilogue

Liliana

I’d waited for this moment for a long time, had imagined it so often that it felt almost like a deja-vu. When a few weeks ago at my wedding to Benito, there had been only anxiety, sadness and fear, I now felt like I could fly. Happiness and euphoria buzzed in my body. I couldn’t wait for the party to be over so Romero could undress me and make love to me over and over again. The only thing missing for a perfect day was Fabi. I hadn’t seen him since my wedding night and I wasn’t sure if I ever would. I didn’t even know if he was alright. If he’d gotten in trouble for getting shot and letting us get away.

Romero lifted me into his arms under the excited cheers of our guests. I couldn’t help but laugh. I’d never felt lighter, as if any moment I would soar up into the night sky. I risked a glance up, wondering if Mother was watching. I’d done what she’d wanted. I’d risked happiness, and it was worth it. Romero kissed my cheek, drawing my attention back to him. Our eyes met and my heart swelled with love. He started walking toward our room, and this time I couldn’t wait to arrive, to be alone with my husband, to have him to myself for the night. This was how it was supposed to be. Every women should be happy on her wedding day, should feel safe in the arms of her husband, should have the right to marry for love and not because someone decided her match for her.

I pressed my face into the crook of his neck, smiling to myself. From the corner of my eyes, I caught sight of my sisters and her husbands. Aria beamed at me, and Gianna wiggled her eyebrows. I stifled a laugh. Romero brushed his lips across my ear. “I can’t wait to undress you and kiss every inch of your silky skin.”

Desire rushed through me. “Hurry,” I whispered.

Romero chuckled but he did actually speed up. He opened the door to our bedroom with his elbow, then kicked the door shut before crossing the room toward the bed and setting me down.

“God, you’re so damn beautiful. I can’t believe you’re finally mine.”

“I’ve always been yours.”

Romero cupped my cheek and kissed me fiercely before his hands started their work on my dress, slowly uncovering inch by inch of my body. He kissed every new spot, but not the places I wanted him to. When I lay before him in my corset and panties, his eyes traced my body with hunger and reverence. I loved that look. It made me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world. He let his fingers glide over my ankles then up my calves and thighs until he’d reached my panties. I lifted my hips. Romero let out a low laugh and kissed my hipbone, then licked the spot. “Romero, please.” He hooked his fingers under my panties and slid them down. When he came back up, he parted my legs and closed his mouth over my folds. I exhaled. With slow strokes of his tongue Romero drove me higher and when he slipped a finger into me, pleasure rolled over me. My toes curled and my butt lifted off the bed but Romero kept up his pleasuring until I couldn’t take it anymore and pushed his head away, laughing and gasping.

“Your first orgasm as my wife,” Romero said with a self-satisfied grin as he crawled up until he hovered over me.

“I hope not the last,” I teased.

“Are you saying you’re not done yet?” He slipped a finger into me again and moved it slowly.

I shook my head.

Romero pulled his finger out and unlaced my corset, laying my breasts bare. He sucked one of my nipples into his mouth as he eased his finger into me again.

It felt so good, and I could feel myself getting close, but I needed to feel Romero inside of me. “I need you inside of me,” I begged.

Romero didn’t waste any time. He climbed out of bed and quickly undressed. His cock was already hard and glistening. He moved between my legs. I closed my hand around his shaft, enjoying its firmness and heat. I stroked a few times before I guided it toward my entrance. When the tip brushed my opening, I relaxed against the pillows. Romero started moving into me slowly. I could feel every inch of him until he finally filled me completely. I wrapped my fingers around Romero’s neck and pulled him down to me for a kiss. I loved kissing him, the way his stubble lightly scratched my lip, his taste, everything. I never got enough.

Romero moved in a slow rhythm, sliding almost all the way out, only to drive his cock all the way into me again. “Caress yourself,” he ordered in a low murmur.

I didn’t hesitated. I sneaked my arm between our bodies and my fingers found my clit. I started to draw small circles. My fingertips brushed Romero’s cock occasionally and it drove me even higher.

“Yes, baby, come for me,” Romero rasped. His kissed my neck and one of his hands grasped my leg and hooked it over his hip. I caressed myself even faster and when Romero pushed into me again, I shattered. My body arched off the bed. Romero groaned, his pushes coming harder and faster and then I felt him release into me.

I trembled from the aftershocks of my orgasm. Romero buried his face against my neck and I ran my hands through his hair and down his back. After a moment, he rolled off me and onto his back, pulling me with him so I half lay on his chest. I raked my fingers through his chest hair and listened to his fast heartbeat.

“I can’t believe you’re finally mine. Nobody can take you away from me now,” Romero pressed a kiss to the top of my head. I smiled, sated and happy. Briefly, my thoughts drifted to Fabi, wondering what he was doing now. Without him and my sisters, I wouldn’t be lying beside Romero right now. They’d risked so much for my happiness, so had Romero. I would always be grateful for what they’d done. I’d try to make their sacrifices worth it, I’d try to live life to the fullest.

I turned around and Romero wrapped his arms around me from behind. It was late and I was exhausted. Eventually Romero drifted off to sleep. I loved listening to him sleep beside me. It always set me as ease.

Romero’s even breathing fanned over my naked shoulder. I couldn’t fall asleep even though I was sated and exhausted. I slipped out under Romero’s arm and slipped out of bed. I grabbed a bathrobe and put it on before I made my way toward the door and walked out onto the balcony, which had a beautiful view over the premises and the ocean. Tomorrow we’d return to New York and then our life as a married couple would really start. I watched the night sky. The stars were always brighter out of the city, and yet there were always a couple of stars that shone the brightest. As a small kid I used to think they represented people who had died and who were watching over us as stars. I’d stopped believing in that a long time ago. Still I couldn’t help but wonder if somewhere somehow Mother was watching me. Would she be happy for me? Maybe even proud? I would never find out, but I’d kept my promise to her. I’d risked everything for love and happiness. I glanced over my shoulder at Romero’s sleeping form, then with a last glimpse at the stars, I returned into the bed and snuggled against him. He wrapped his arm around me. “You were gone,” he mumbled.

“I needed fresh air,” I said softly.

“I’m glad you’re back.”

“I love you,” I whispered.

Romero’s arms tightened around me and he kissed my temple. “And I love you.” Maybe things wouldn’t always be easy in the future, but I knew I’d never regret taking this risk. Love was worth every risk.