19. Chapter 19 - Madison
I slept the entire day away. Lexi and Conor left at midday to head back to New York. They had a flight to catch back to Arizona. With everything going on, Liam gave Con a bit of time off to spend with her while they prep for the wedding.
Diego woke me up with lunch earlier this afternoon. He brought in a tray of sandwiches and some soup Liam had prepared for everyone before they hit the road. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I devoured two sandwiches and half a bowl of soup. Which led to the itis . All I did was close my eyes to digest and ended up falling asleep again. It barely registered that Diego had snuck out of the room shortly after.
I stretch my arms over my head, curling my toes against the soft sheets. My hands sprawl out on either side of the mattress, coming up empty. Diego must be with Liam, sorting out everything that happened last night. What a crazy night. Not one I wish to remember, but one that I need to remember.
This will be my life now.
If I want to remain part of Diego’s life, and call the Kennedys my family, I need to always remember the risk.
But with risk comes reward, right? It’s one I am willing to take. I’ve explored the alternative and tried living away from them .
It’s just not possible.
The buttery soft material of Diego’s t-shirt clings to my body. Damn . I really must have been in a food coma not to notice him dressing me in not only his t-shirt but a pair of sweats as well. Thank goodness I feel well rested. I should be—considering it’s almost five o’clock.
I shuffle over to the en suite to brush my teeth and wash my face. One look in the mirror has me gasping. The bruising looks downright awful. Dark purple and green splotches cover my jaw line, climbing up towards my cheek. Similar bruising has formed like a necklace around my throat. My fingers glide over the markings in frustration. How the hell am I supposed to visit Dad looking like this?
Diego enters the bathroom, spooking me. I jump as our eyes meet in the mirror. Sneaky bastard is as light on his feet as a panther.
“It’s winter. It’s not unusual to wear a scarf. Don’t worry, baby, your father may never catch on. I know you have amazing makeup, it’ll cover the bruising. The stitches can be explained by a fall.”
“I don’t want to lie,” I grimace, wincing from the pain in my jaw.
He steps into my space. The warmth of his body pressing against my back and his hands gripping the counter around me send delicious shivers down my spine.
“So don’t,” he whispers, his minty breath tickling the shell of my ear.
With that knowledge, I swivel around in his arms. His forehead meets mine as he places a gentle kiss to the tip of my nose. Sapphire eyes ignite with fire as he takes in my flushed cheeks. My gaze lingers on his lips and the tongue he runs along the bottom one.
“I can’t tell my dad your real career. He’d never let me see you again,” I scoff, ignoring the overwhelming desire to close the gap between us.
“You plan on lying to your family the rest of your life?” he asks amused.
“Not lie…maybe just omit that I am married to the most terrifying criminal the underworld has ever seen?”
He takes another step forward, pushing my ass against the granite countertops. “Don’t forget the most dangerous.” Heat pools in my core as those eyes of his swirl with mischief. “Do you want me to talk to him?” he asks in a more dignified tone.
“The man just had a heart attack. Let’s not give him another one,” I glower.
On a heavy sigh, Ocean Eyes steps back. Cool air rushes between us, dousing my libido.
“I understand. But someday, I’d like to not be your dirty little secret, Mariposita . Maybe down the road I can meet your family the proper way. Even ask your Dad if I can marry you.”
“Kinda late for that,” I snort.
His blue orbs narrow. “You will have the wedding you deserve. This time we are doing it right. Can’t change the past, baby, but we sure as hell can have a do-over. Let’s make this one the day we think of years down the road when our kids ask us about our wedding. It won’t be tarnished memories and chaos, but a beautiful day. Surrounded by true family and friends celebrating the love between two souls who met through a twist of fate.”
I do my best to hold back a snicker. “Twist of fate? You make it sound like we were epically brought into each other’s lives. You did the twisting of fate's arms by kidnapping me!” Now, I can't help it. I brace the granite behind me and toss my head back in a giggle fit.
Diego joins me, a radiant smile forming behind his lips. “I’d do it all over if it meant meeting you again for the first time. Except this time, I wouldn’t follow through with my dumb ass plan.”
I shrug. “Like you said, you can’t change the past. I honestly believe it had to happen that way for our love to have formed the way it did. You taught me so much about myself I never knew existed. Because of that, I gained strength and courage I never had before. You saw me . Not as a damsel in distress, but as someone who is powerful. Someone who is a fighter. If it wasn’t for you, I may have never discovered this side of me.”
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” he growls, abruptly spinning me around and snaking his hand down my sweatpants. “Just watch how beautiful she is when she comes,” he pledges.
His tenacious fingers split my folds, sliding through my slickness and dipping inside. After my head hits his shoulder on a drawn out moan he adds a third, pumping in and out of me. Diego’s other hand gently wraps around my neck. I watch us in the mirror, as he does. Mesmerized by the sight of us. The sight of his powerful hands, the knuckles split, gripping one of the most delicate parts of me. Not once have I ever felt fear while they are there. Oddly enough, it gives me a sense of security knowing I am his.
His to pleasure, his to own, to love, to fuck, to protect.
This man has helped push me to grow, he’s strengthened my mind and heart. I wouldn’t have chosen him if it wasn’t for the tidal wave of emotion that comes with how right it feels to be with someone who knows you better than you do.
Ecstasy builds inside me as my walls clamp around the fingers that stretch me. He increases his pace, thrusting them inside and curling to activate my g-spot. My emotions climb along with pleasure as tears spike my eyes, realizing exactly how much I love this man.
How thankful I am for him.
“Such a remarkably strong woman,” he praises in my ear. He pushes us up against the vanity so that the palm of his hand adds pressure to my clit. “And all mine.”
Silver stars spark across my vision as my chest heats. I close my eyes when his hand curls tighter around my throat. Muffled moans carry around the room as I prepare to lose it. My legs are like Jell-O. Surely, they would have given out if he wasn’t here supporting us.
“Fuck, Mariposita . Open your eyes. Look at what I see every time I make you cum.”
It takes a serious amount of effort to force my eyes open as bliss like no other detonates inside of me. Diego’s hand glides from my neck to cover my mouth, stifling my screams. His name falls from my lips on repeat, being chanted over and over behind the cover of his palm.
“Stunning. You, my sweet wife, are absolute perfection.”
His arm, thick with visible tendons, moves to hold me up as his hand slips out from my pants. He places all three fingers in his mouth, sucking the evidence of my orgasm off them.
“Fuck. That was hot.” I laugh, unabashedly checking out my husband. Husband. Damn . That reminds me… “Where are my wedding rings?”
As if he couldn’t glow any brighter, his smile broadens, exposing his dimple. “Ahh. I thought you’d never ask. I have them. They are safe. You’ll get them back when the time is right,” he says cryptically, his lips twitching with the secret behind them.
“What are you up to, Ocean Eyes ?” I spin in his embrace, linking my arms around his neck and narrowing my eyes at him.
“You’ll have to wait and see.” He smirks. “Patience, Mariposita .”
Diego hands me my coffee while getting back into the black Range Rover. We made a pit stop at my favorite coffee shop near Killian’s before heading out to Long Island. He offered to go in, saying he knew the owner. I’ll have to remember to ask him if he can talk to the owner about Kira, my favorite barista. Maybe he can help keep her employed.
Knowing Diego, he’ll make it happen.
Ten minutes later, he's on the phone booking us a hotel. Mr. Romantic thought it would be best to grab a cozy hotel by the water. I’m familiar with it. The one overlooking the Long Island Sound and ferry terminal. What’s better? It’s not far from Dad’s.
I tried to suggest he stay back at the hotel while I’m gone, but with everything going on, he refused to leave my side. Secretly, after everything that’s transpired, I don’t want to be alone. Which means he’ll drive me and wait in the car before we head to the hotel for the rest of the night.
Diego remaining in the car isn’t up for debate.
He has to.
It’s bad enough Mikayla is already on my case. What a shitshow it would be to have to introduce him to them. Could you imagine? “Hey everyone…this is Diego, my husband. He’s currently hiding his identity as he is the underworld’s finest.”
I’m sure that would go over well.
“What’s got you all worked up over there?” Diego interrupts the hypothetical scenarios running rampant through my brain. My face scrunches at the visual of my father turning all different shades of red. His hand lands on my thigh as he traces circles with this thumb.
“Just thinking of all the things that need to get done in Arizona. All the loose ends I need to tie up in order to come home for good.” My teeth clamp down on my bottom lip, knowing it’s a concern of mine but not the current one.
“Lexi already agreed to pack your stuff and Conor is going to help her ship everything here. What are you worrying about, baby?” He removes his hand to collect his coffee, taking a sip. I can’t help but stare at his throat, watching it work as he swallows.
It’s hot as fuck.
Everything about this man is hot as sin.
“She’s got a lot going on with the wedding planning and wrapping up PA school. She doesn’t need to be burdened with cleaning up my stuff,” I admit.
“Why is it so hard for you to let anyone help you, Madison? You help everyone all the damn time. At what point will you allow people to do the same for you?” The frustration in his voice is clear as he sips his coffee. The aromatic scent of dark roast mixes with that of leather. His coffee sloshed over the lid as he was placing it back in the cup holder.
“I guess if it was a problem she wouldn’t have offered,” I concede, sopping up the liquid with a napkin. I bring my steaming cup to my lips and take another generous sip as we speed down the highway.
“There we go.” His hand lands back on my thigh, fingertips toying with the inner seam of my yoga pants. “Such a strong-willed woman,” he tuts. “Let people help you. There is absolutely no shame in that. Let go of that need for control once in a while.”
I take another healthy sip, savoring the feel of his strong hand on my thigh and the delicious coffee evoking life back into me.
“I offered Conor and Lexi the island to host their bachelorette and bachelor party. Liam was talking with them over breakfast. They seemed pretty confident about wanting a Jack and Jill. Will it be triggering for you to head back there?” he asks cautiously.
My hand wraps around his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Not if I’m with you. Plus, I lived there for six months after your little Houdini trick.” I roll my eyes at him and he catches it in his peripheral .
His grip on the steering wheel tightens until his knuckles turn white. “After you get back to the hotel, you are going to regret rolling your eyes at me. You know exactly what that sass does to me. I’m beginning to think you do it on purpose, Mariposita . Like you enjoy provoking the monsters under this skin,” he rasps, arching his eyebrows suggestively.
“And so what if I do?” I goad before taking a sip of my coffee in the most nonchalant, bratty way.
“Baby, you have no idea what you’re unleashing.”
“You want me to let go of control? It’s all yours tonight,” I state boldly while throwing in a flirtatious wink. My core clenches in anticipation. If my orgasm this morning was any indication of where my head is at, I am more than ready to hand over my control to him. In fact, I’m looking forward to the kind of pleasure I’ve yet to experience—the kind I know he is capable of drawing out of me.