Page 30 of Reign of Fate
Raffaele is speaking with Alessio when I approach.
“Elisa and I will be going soon,” I tell him.
“Adriana is safe with me. Make your exit,” Raffaele replies. We understand each other. Once we’re gone, Raffaele will spread the word that the event has come to an end.
I’ve had weeks of cold showers and jerking off to the thought of Elisa naked in my bed. For hours, I’ve been watching my wife flit around the room being the perfect hostess in a dress I want to rip off. I want to unwrap my bride. I’m done waiting. I head over to where she is and slide my arm around her waist.
“It’s time to leave,” I say.
“Our guests are still here,” she replies, looking around the room.
“Don’t care. They can stay and eat and drink all night for all I care.”
“Are you all right?” she asks, searching my face.
“Yeah. I’m just done with pretending I care what they think.”
“Then, let’s go.” Elisa places her hand in mine. “We have to tell Adriana we’re leaving.”
“Adriana is staying with Uncle Rafe and Aunt Evangeline tonight. I’ve already seen to her.”
“Oh, okay.” Elisa reaches for her clutch with her free hand. “Ready.”
Elisa waves at Adriana as we leave. Massimo is waiting for us by the car. I’d like to disappear with Elisa alone, but enemies are waiting for a weak moment, and I won’t give it to them.
Ivo’s home is warm and inviting. I’ve visited many times in the last few months. I believe in respecting people’s space and have never wandered the halls. I’ve tucked Adriana in several times, and I know that Ivo’s bedroom is right next door, simply because Adriana told me so.
It’s still early evening when we arrive home. Home, wow! I have a new home. I’m Mrs. Elisa Avante. I’ve been called that several times today and I still can’t believe it. This is all becoming very real. Married to Ivo with an adorable new daughter, living on the property owned by Raffaele Di Morte.
“Elisa?” Ivo calls my name.
I spin around to face my husband. “Yes?”
“I’m not going to pounce on you.” His lips turn up in a sly smile, “And I don’t bite…much,” he teases.
I understand he’s trying to assuage my nerves, but the butterflies in my stomach aren’t cooperating. “Okay,” I manage to say, very unconvincingly, I might add.
“I’ll show you to our room. You can change out of your dress, and we can sit and relax for a while.” He motions for me to climb the stairs and leads us to the bedroom. It’s much larger than I imagined, with a king-sized bed taking up a fair amount of space. The heavy dark wood of the headboard padded with black leather screams that a man lives in this room. The rest of the furniture is of the same dark wood, with simple, clean lines. The duvet is the only hint of femininity, mainly cream with a black spiral pattern that softens the room.
Ivo opens the door that leads to the walk-in closet. “I’ve moved my clothes to this side. The rest is yours,” he says, then points to the drawers in the bureau. “These are empty and for your use. Your bags are in the spare room. I thought you’d be more comfortable unpacking on your own.”
He’s right. I would hate for anyone to go through my personal belongings. “Thank you.”
Ivo eyes me curiously and comes to stand in front of me, so close that I have to tilt my head back to look at him. “Are you afraid of me, regina mia?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“You’re as nervous as a cat.”
“Maybe a little.”
Ivo sits on the edge of the bed, taking me with him. “Tell me what’s on your mind. Do you think I’ll hurt you?”
The jumble of nerves inside me explodes, and I blurt out, “I don’t know what I’m doing. The most I’ve done is kissing, and Guido and I tried twice to, um, you know.” I’m rambling, but I can’t seem to stop talking. “And that didn’t work. He got frustrated and upset, and I keep thinking maybe it was my fault. He said it wasn’t, but I can’t know for sure. What if all this time he could, and he wasn’t attracted to me?” I try to stand, but Ivo has a hold on me, and suddenly, I’m on my back with Ivo hovering over me.
“You’re fucking gorgeous. For months, I’ve been itching to strip you naked and bury myself between your legs. It’s been torture to have you close and not touch you. That night, at the restaurant, in the dress you were wearing, I thought I was going to lose my mind with all the men ogling your tits and ass.” He strokes the column of my throat and glides his hand over my bare shoulder as he stares down at my breasts. “I’ve been dreaming about sucking on your nipples until you beg me to fuck you senseless.”
With that, he tugs on the material of my gown, exposing a nipple, and licks his lips.
