Chapter Twenty-Six
MONIQUE
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Monique stared at her reflection in the mirror.
A smile crept across her face. It was hard to keep it off. She’d tried. It kept popping back into place. One of her besties had once told her that when you’re happy, it shows. You can’t hide it. It will emanate from you like a light.
Her bestie was right. Monique was happy. And it was showing. She couldn’t hide it. She couldn’t dim it. It was deeply rooted in her. And she loved it. Monique turned to the side, staring at herself in Orazio’s bathroom mirror.
This sheer dress is everything, Monique thought to herself. Since they were staying in, she’d opted for this one. She’d had so many to choose from since Raz had purchased every last one of the dresses she’d tried on.
Still, for a stormy night like tonight, this one was the best option. Monique posed as she took in her reflection. Look at you, Monique Rose. Looking like a snack. She giggled at her own thoughts. But she had to admit, she looked really pretty tonight.
No, not just pretty. She looked sexy. There, she’d said it. She looked sexy. And not sexy for a big girl. But sexy, period. She couldn’t believe she’d allowed Trevor to make her believe she was anything less than a queen.
He’d had her thinking she was frigid and that she just didn’t like sex at all. He’d had her thinking she was hard to please in the bedroom. He’d beaten down her confidence, making her too shameful to leave the house for fear that others would judge her because of her size.
Well, others did still judge her because of her size. But that had nothing to do with her. That was all on them. It was proof that they were unhappy with themselves. Like the woman at the boutique. The woman Raz had gotten fired.
He didn’t know Monique had overheard their conversation. She’d pretended not to. To be honest, she’d been embarrassed and had wanted to hide when she’d heard the woman’s words. If the sales clerk had said those words to Monique instead of to Raz, Monique wouldn’t have wanted to hide. She would’ve stood up for herself.
But having Raz hear those ugly words embarrassed her. It had made her wonder if he would now be embarrassed to be seen with her. She’d sometimes felt like Trevor had been embarrassed to go places with her for that reason.
Yet, her Raz hadn’t hesitated to put the woman in her place. He hadn’t made a big show of it. He hadn’t even wanted Monique to know it had happened. He’d quietly defended and protected her.
He’d been her hero. Her knight in shining armor. Monique blinked back tears. She would thank him one day. For now, the pink scarf tease would have to be thanks enough. Her cheeks heated as she recalled how brazen she’d been in the car.
She’d almost talked herself out of doing it three times. But she’d worked up her courage and let her heart and her hands lead her. They hadn’t steered her in the wrong direction. The sounds Raz had made as she’d teased him were worth the effort.
And tonight, after dinner, she wanted to hear those sounds again. They’d left her craving more of him. Would it be too much to ask him to make love to her first, then eat dinner? Monique sighed.
Where was all this horniness coming from? Perhaps from years of sexual frustration. If Raz wasn’t careful, she’d wear him out tonight. She chuckled but stopped when Raz called her name from the other side of the door.
“Dinner’s ready, love.”
“Oh, okay. Here I come.”
“Take your time.”
Monique smiled. Where Trevor had been impatient and rude, Raz was patient and kind, catering to her needs in a way no one had ever done before. Shaking her head, she told herself to stop comparing Orazio to Trevor.
It was like comparing a Maserati to one of her nephew’s remote-controlled cars. They both looked like vehicles, but one was smaller and useless to a grown woman. Monique chuckled as she ran her hand over the front of her dress one more time.
“Okay, Monique. Let’s go!” After her mini-pep talk, she turned away from the mirror and exited the bathroom.
Raz was waiting on the other side of the door for her. He’d changed clothing also. He was now wearing a black suit, with a black button down and black tie. His shoes were also black. From the way his suit fit him, she knew it had been tailored for him and only him.
And Monique wanted to tear it off him. Swallowing, she chastised herself for being so damn horny. Seriously, what was wrong with her? Raz stretched his hand out. She placed her palm against his. Damn, his hand is big, just like another part of him.
“You look beautiful,” he told her, gaze roaming over her already overstimulated body, making her nipples harden.
“You too,” she told him.
“Thank you, love.”
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and all she could think about was how good it felt when her pussy pulsed and squeezed his big cock. Seriously, she needed to get her thoughts together because she was making herself wet.
Holding her hand, he led her into the dining room, which was lit only by candlelight. Beautiful . A dozen red roses sat in a vase on the table, their velvet petals glistening as the candlelight flickered. Monique gasped, enchanted by the romantic setting. Surely, he hadn’t done this himself.
“You did all this for me?”
“I did.”
“You did it with your own hands?” she asked.
“I told you these hands weren’t just good at making you cum. I can do other things when I put my mind to it.” Raz pulled out her chair and gently pushed her into it. “This is my first time setting up a romantic dinner. I had to look online to see what to do. But I wanted it to be perfect for you.”
His words melted her heart as he took his own seat. She’d never had a guy care enough to go through so much for her. Once, when her ex had forgotten their anniversary, her besties had taken her out on a romantic bestie-versary dinner. But they were her friends. They always came through for her.
Seeing what Raz had done only solidified her decision to be with him. He cared, and he showed it with actions, not just words. Their dinner was arranged on black plates before them. But Monique had lost her appetite for food.
She wanted to devour the man in front of her instead. Taking a deep breath, she told her body to calm down. The devouring could come later. For now, she’d allow herself to be romanced by Orazio Cattaneo. Her man.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “It’s perfect.”
“No, you’re perfect.” Raz stretched his hand across the table and grabbed hers again. He lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles before asking, “You ready to eat?”
Her gaze dropped to his lips as she imagined him kissing her somewhere else. She shifted in her seat, craving the moment when this dinner was over.
“I’m ready,” she told him, meaning that in more ways than one.
Dinner was delicious. And there was no uncomfortable silence. They talked about any and everything. She told him how she and her besties met. They came up with theories on how Cas and Meka met because those two definitely knew each other before yesterday.
He told her that tomorrow, he had to work all day and travel to Louisiana to meet with an investor. But, if she wanted, she and her friends could enjoy a spa day, dinner, and a movie tomorrow. All on him.
She’d texted Meka and Toya and asked them if they could do that tomorrow. They hadn’t hesitated to text back and say yes. Both of her friends were still at the casino, in Toya’s room. They’d spent the entire day gambling and eating. That sounded like her friends.
After texting them, she and Orazio resumed their conversation with him explaining how casinos kept their patrons from winning too much.
“Devious,” she’d told him.
“Not devious. Business. If they won all the time, we wouldn’t be able to stay in business.”
“Yeah, yeah, still devious,” she told him, laughing as he dug into his food.
Monique took a sip of wine and asked, “Did you have a good time today?”
“I did,” he told her. “I haven’t been able to enjoy myself like this in...” he paused to think. “I’m not sure I ever had a day like today.”
Monique smiled. “Really?”
“Really,” he answered before forking a bite of food into his mouth.
Her gaze dropped to his lips. She wanted those lips on her. She needed to feel them, taste them, watch them moan her name.
She traced a finger along the rim of her glass as she eye-fucked him. “What was your favorite part of the day?”
He swallowed his food before answering. “Watching you try on dresses. I’ve always wondered why some men do that. Now, I know.”
She chuckled. “I enjoyed that also. But it wasn’t my favorite part. Want to know what my favorite part was?”
He nodded as he sipped his wine.
“My favorite part was tasting you,” she told him, voice low.
Raz coughed, choking on the wine. Monique held in her smile.
Clearing his throat, he set his glass down and asked, “Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve got a confession also.”
“Let’s hear it,” she said.
“Even though you’ve been right by my side, I’ve been thinking of you all day, counting the minutes until I could get you alone.” Raz leaned forward, his eyes gleaming in the candlelight. “I’ve been thinking of all the ways I plan to make you scream my name. And trust me, I definitely plan to make you scream my name.”
Monique’s breath caught in her throat. Fire raced through her veins. She wanted him, needed him with an ache that was nearly painful in its intensity. And from the predatory look on his face, she could tell Raz was equally affected.
The food was forgotten. The tension between them was as taut as a bowstring. Monique licked her lips again, watching Raz watch her mouth with hot, hungry eyes.
“Is that a promise?” she asked softly.
Raz’s gaze flew back to hers, dark and full of sinful intentions. “Yes,” he said. “One I fully intend to keep.”
“What are you waiting on?” she asked.
Raz leaned back in his chair, regarding her with a smoldering look. Her gaze raked over his form. Sexy didn’t begin to describe this man. He was built to be ridden by a thick woman like herself. And Monique was ready to mount him.
“Scoot your chair back,” he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Monique obeyed instantly, her heart pounding. She slid back from the table. He watched her. She watched him. He licked his lips. Her clit throbbed the moment she caught sight of his tongue.
Raz stood and strode around the table, his movements slow and predatory. Each step in her direction made her hornier. By the time he reached her, her panties were soaking wet. Well, they would be if she was wearing any. He stopped in front of her. Standing between her and the table, he stared down at her.
It was sad that one look had her getting wet. He went to his knees in front of her, gaze glued to hers. His hand moved to the hem of her dress, pushing it upward. Monique ignored the shyness creeping over her and held his gaze, refusing to be the first to look away.
A wicked grin curved across his face. “My sweet Rose, you’re not wearing any panties.”
“My sweet Orazio, you didn’t buy me any.”
His eyebrow rose at that. “You should’ve reminded me to.”
“I figured they’d just be in the way.”
“You’re right. Lift your hips.”
She obeyed, giving him room to push her dress up to her waist before sitting back down. Gripping her hips, he pulled her body to the edge of the seat.
“Spread your legs,” he ordered, his voice rough with desire.
Monique did as she was told. His eyes darkened further as they raked over her most sensitive flesh.
"Exquisite," he murmured.
Monique gasped as his hands slid up her legs, tracing burning paths over her sensitive skin. One hand gripped her hip while the other delved between her legs, parting her folds to stroke her aching center. Monique moaned softly at the intimate touch, her head falling back against the chair.
“So wet for me already,” Raz purred, circling her entrance with his fingertip. “You want this as badly as I do, don’t you?”
Monique could only moan in response, writhing under his skillful touch.
“Tell me you want it,” he insisted.
“I want it,” she moaned.
Raz licked his lips. “Good,” he murmured as he lowered his mouth to her thigh, nipping at the sensitive flesh there. “Because we’ve only just begun.”
Monique gasped as Raz’s lips traveled higher, caressing her heated skin. Her fingers gripped his hair when his mouth finally reached its destination, tongue flicking out to taste her dripping folds.
She was so primed and ready for his touch that one swipe of his tongue almost made her cum in his mouth.
“Raz!” she cried out, back arching. He growled against her in response, the vibrations shooting pleasure through her core.
His hands slid under her thighs, lifting her legs over his shoulders to open her up further to his seeking mouth. Her pussy bloomed for him, his tongue sliding over her slippery petals. Monique whimpered, writhing as he devoured her, driving her toward release despite her wanting to hold out, to last longer.
The coil of heat in her belly wound tighter and tighter, Raz’s tongue-game pushing her closer and closer to the edge. Her moans rose in pitch and volume until she was screaming his name, just as he’d promised he’d make her do.
Her climax crashed over her in a blinding wave of ecstasy. Monique’s vision blurred as her orgasm ripped through her, Raz’s name a ragged cry on her lips. Her fingers clenched almost painfully in his hair, holding him in place as her inner walls clenched and fluttered.
When the last tremors had faded, Monique went limp against the seat, chest heaving. Raz pressed one last kiss to her clit before lowering her legs and rising to his feet. Her eyes drifted open to find him gazing down at her, lips wet with her juices, eyes burning with lust.
“Feeling satisfied?” he asked huskily.
Monique managed a faint smile. “For now,” she said, reaching for him. “But the night is still young.”
She let out a yelp when Raz grinned and scooped her up into his arms, striding toward the bedroom. Looping her arms around his neck, she pressed kisses to his throat, unable to keep her mouth off him.
After kicking the bedroom door open, Raz crossed over to the bed, laying her down on the silk sheets. She quickly eased out of her dress, tossing the expensive fabric to the side. She stretched out on the cool sheets, enjoying the softness against her bare skin as she watched Raz undress.
This man’s body was a work of art, all hard muscles and sculpted form. No wonder he was able to lift her like she weighed nothing. Once naked, he joined her on the bed, where he rained kisses over her hips, then moved up to the valley between her breasts. Monique arched into his touch.
By the time Raz claimed her mouth in a searing kiss, she was writhing beneath him, craving the feel of his body against hers. A soft moan escaped her at the feel of his arousal against her inner thigh.
She raised her hips, rubbing her body against his. Raz nipped at her lower lip, bracing his weight on his forearms as he positioned his cock at her entrance. He slid his length between her folds, coating himself in her juices.
She gasped when he finally pushed inside her in one smooth, forceful thrust. The low groan he emitted when he slid into her made her pussy flutter. Monique dug her nails into his shoulders, inner walls clenching around his hardness, squeezing him tightly, never wanting to let him go.
Raz buried himself to the hilt with a groan, pausing for a long moment as they savored the feeling of being joined as one. It was Monique who caved first, rocking her hips in a silent plea for more. Her man answered her plea.
Raz began to move in slow, deep strokes that quickly had heat pooling low in her belly once more. Lifting her legs, she hooked them around his waist, taking him in deeper and eliciting a husky growl from Raz.
His thrusts grew harder, faster, more demanding, and Monique cried out at the intense pleasure-pain that accompanied them. He fucked her long and hard, pounding her body as his growls mingled with her moans of pleasure.
He fucked her like she was the only woman who existed in his world, like she was the only woman he’d ever needed and would ever need. Her pussy pulsed around his cock, taking the pounding like a champ because she was made for this, made for him.
But she could feel her orgasm approaching, and she was helpless to stop it. She was balanced on the knife’s edge of release again, and when Raz shifted to hit just the right spot, her orgasm crashed over her, making her cry out his name.
Raz continued thrusting into her heat, prolonging her climax until he found his own release with a roar, spilling hot and deep inside her. She held him close as the aftershocks rippled through them.
Her body trembled against his as he kissed her throat, his body shuddering on top of hers. They lay tangled together, sweat cooling on their skin as their harsh breaths slowed to a calmer rhythm.
It was a long time before Raz turned over, pulling her with him until her face rested against his chest. With one hand draped across his abs, her gaze rose to his. How was it possible for her to feel so deeply for a man she hadn’t known for long?
This type of connection should’ve taken years to nurture. Yet, in this short amount of time, she felt at ease with Raz. An ease she’d never felt with Trevor. With Raz, she felt treasured.
And sure, he was a bit obsessive and possessive, but that felt good too. No one had ever obsessed over her. No one had ever hungered for her the way this man hungered for her. And she’d never craved anyone the way she was craving him.
Raz stroked a hand up and down Monique’s back in a soothing caress, his gaze warm as it met hers. It was all there in his eyes. This man loved her. And it was real this time. Monique was loved.
“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” he rasped, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
“Am I? Even right after sex when I know I look a mess?”
He nodded. “Well-fucked looks good on you, Rosa.”
Monique flushed at the compliment, lowering her gaze as a smile tugged at her lips.
“And you are impossible, Orazio,” she retorted.
Raz chuckled, the sound rumbling in his chest where she lay. “You love me for it,” he told her before lifting her chin to steal a quick kiss.
“You know I do,” she whispered.
Raz’s gaze softened. “I love you, Monique,” he said solemnly. “More than anything in this world. You know this, right? You can feel it, can’t you?”
Monique’s breath caught at the raw emotion and vulnerability in his gaze. Here was the Raz that only she got to see. He was tender, loving, and fiercely devoted. Her chest ached with the depth of feeling she held for this complicated, dangerous, savage, yet sweet man.
“I feel it, Raz. I see it in your eyes when you look at me. I hear it in your voice when you talk to me. I experience it in your touch and in the way you treat me. You make me feel loved. And I love you too,” she whispered.
Raz’s answering smile lit up his face, erasing the harsh lines and shadows to reveal the man beneath. The man who craved love just as much as she did. Monique’s heart swelled at the sight, overflowing with joy, love, and gratitude for this imperfectly perfect moment.
Here, wrapped up in Raz’s embrace with no barriers left between them, she had found her home. She never wanted this feeling to change. But a change was coming. A change Monique wasn’t prepared for.
A change that would strengthen some bonds and leave others severed forever. Not everyone would survive it. And there was no way to stop it. But she didn’t know that yet. So she smiled, not knowing her smile would soon turn to cries of pain.