Chapter 31

Luci

9 Days Until The Wedding

T he other night rings out in my head when I wake up next to Alessandro. I could have sworn he was going to tell me that he loves me. His arms are wrapped around me and I’m surprised I woke up before he did. These last few mornings, waking up with Alessandro in bed with me instead of waking up to a half-cold bed have been my favorite so far. So far, how funny. If you had told me a couple of weeks ago I would be thinking of a future with Alessandro, I would have told you that you’re pazzo.

“What are you thinking about?” Alessandro peppers kisses up the side of my neck, rocking his morning wood against my backside.

“How did you know I was thinking about something?” It’s a silly question. He always knows.

“Your emotions are written across your face and in your eyes. You couldn’t hide them if you tried.”

“I guess I’m just thinking of the time I’ve known you and our future. Our upcoming wedding. By extension my family. I miss them, Alessandro. My whole life until now I hadn’t gone more than two days without seeing them, and that was only because of a weekend sleepover in middle school.” I’m now rolling from one thought to the other. Some of them weren’t my initial thoughts, but thoughts I’m sure were there to begin with.

He stiffens and his sweet kisses stop. “Luci. You know this is complicated. You’ll see them at the wedding and I’ll play nice as long as they do. Shit, I’ll make sure Geno and everyone else play nice as long as they do.” He rolls me on my back, climbing over me, and I know that he’s pulled himself out. He presses the head of his dick against my entrance before he inches himself inside me, groaning as he does. “You’re mine though, and you’ll stay with me. Tell me you're mine, Luci.”

I moan and rock my hips into his, matching the rhythm he’s set. “I’m yours.” Goosebumps envelop my skin as he captures my nipple in his mouth, circling it with his tongue as he still rocks in and out of me.

He pulls off my nipple with a pop and presses his forehead to mine as our lips ghost against each other. “Of course you’re mine. You were always meant to be mine. From day one on this earth, other people’s paths have brought us together. Your body, your soul, those deep thoughts in that pretty little head of yours. They all belong to me. And anyone who wants to try to come between that will pray for mercy as I feel them take their last breath.”

All I’m able to do is nod at the words he says, overwhelmed by them. I should be terrified at the thought that he would kill for me. Instead, it makes me want him more. I clench around him as I get closer to my own release. “Please. I’m so close, Alessandro. Please. Don’t change anything.”

“Let go, Luci.” His words do their job as I arch my back, screaming his name, and he finds his release soon after. We stay stagnant, panting as he’s still inside me until he deflates, leaving the evidence of his lust.

It has become a routine for us to take a shower or bath most times after we have sex, sometimes only to have sex again. Our after-sex showers are the most intimate part of our relationship and my favorite. The way he washes me like I’m a delicate piece of jewelry, like I’ll break if he’s too rough with me.

“What do you want to do today?” He’s washing my hair as he responds, leaning down to kiss my shoulder when he does.

“I need to get a bunch of work done. Marco insists on having a bachelor party this weekend.” A bachelor party. I guess it makes sense. What kind will it be? Will there be other women meant to entertain him? Will they buy him a woman for the night? We still haven’t spoken about what my role will be as his wife, only that I’ll be married to him and he will be married to me. He told me the other day during our brunch with Marco and El that he would be faithful to me. Was he being honest? He could be taking time during his work day to have Gabriella, the woman I’ve heard about in passing who often sleeps with Alessandro’s men. These types of men could get any woman they want.

“Stop thinking, Luci. It’ll most likely involve some drinking and playing in our business. Probably some cards and dice games. Anyway, El is coming to stay with you and have another girls’ night. I’m sure she has the whole night planned out already. Fair warning, don’t plan on having any male entertainment. I told Enzo he could kick any male strippers out.”

“Did you tell El not to bring them?” I raise my eyebrows, knowing it’s possible that she would try to bring some, anyway.

“Of course I did. That’s why I told Enzo to kick any out.” I roll my eyes as he kisses me.

I spend my day trying to keep myself busy as Alessandro works, knowing I’m always watched, if not by Enzo, then by cameras that I’m sure stream to Alessandro’s office.

Around lunch time I try to surprise him with lunch. When I overhear he’s on a call with Geno, I stop. I know I shouldn’t eavesdrop, but I do, anyway.

“What’s the update on Luciana? Has she fallen for you yet?” Geno’s voice echoes from the speaker as he converses with Alessandro.

“She got drunk the other night and admitted she’s falling for me. I’m pretty sure she meant it, even though she won’t say anything sober. Drunk words are sober thoughts.” Did I tell him that? If I did when I was drunk, it would have happened the other night. I rack my brain, thinking of what happened. All I can pull up is drinking with El, the bath, and then waking up with Alessandro the next morning.

Geno and Alessandro’s conversation continues as I listen in, hoping I won’t get caught. “That’s my boy. I’m sure she’s a lot more pleasant now that she’s not fighting you on this.”

“She mentioned she misses her family. I should figure out some sort of arrangement where she can see them. Maybe a private lunch at the house occasionally. If it would make her easier to get along with, why not?” His tone is cold enough that it gives me the chills.

“Alessandro. Have you fallen for Luciana?”

The sound of my racing heart echoes through my ears, waiting for Alessandro’s response. “She will be my wife and I will treat her as such.” The vague answer makes my heart drop in my stomach. I’ve fallen for this man and he still thinks of me as some dumb collection for a debt.

They say their goodbyes as I’m still trying to wrap my head around my reality. I blink away my tears when I knock on his door, putting on a good face to bring him his lunch.

“Luci, come in. I’m not doing anything exciting.” All business, all the time. It’s like he’s the cold man that kidnapped me all over again. Is the kindness he shows me all a facade?

“I won’t stay long, I promise. I wanted to bring you lunch. I noticed sometimes you get busy and forget to eat.” I have to swallow down tears when I set down his food and turn to him. He looks at me like he has been lately. Like I’m the only person he sees.

“Come here. You should stay long enough to get a snack yourself. Get on your knees while I take a break. Please your fiancé.” His words would normally turn me on, but after what I heard, I might as well be his whore. I shut off my emotions as I lower myself to my knees and kneel in front of him. By then, he’s already unzipped his pants, allowing me to grasp his dick in my hand and pull it out.

“Take me deep in your mouth. Show how much of a people pleaser you are.” I take him deep and gag on his length. I let my tears flow, hoping he thinks they are from him instead of what I heard earlier.

“You’re a quick learner, Luci. You look so beautiful, pleasing me. Tears in your eye as you suck me deep. Keep going I’m already close.” What could be an eternity passes when he swells in my mouth, spilling his warm salty liquid on my tongue. I do what a good little soon-to-be wife does and swallow every drop. Alessandro pulls me up and kisses my ring. “Thank you for my mid-day treat. I’ll see you after work.”

I walk out of his office, feeling dirtier than the day I let him take my virginity. Once I get upstairs, I head straight into the bathroom to rinse his touch off me, crying until the water runs cold.

I pretend to be asleep when Alessandro comes in that night, thankful that he doesn’t try to have sex with me. He strips down to his boxers and climbs into bed, wrapping me into his tall frame. He must think I’m dreaming because he shushes me when a sob catches in my throat.

“Shhh, mio premio. No reason to have nightmares. I’ll protect you.”

Too bad the only thing I need protection from is him.

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