TEN YEARS LATER
MARIE
“ M um! Leo and Gabe stole my phone,” I hear Ember yell from the other side of the exhibition hall, but I ignore her.
“You better fuck your cum into me faster, baby, or we’re gonna have a war on our hands.”
I pull my husband to me by the collar for a dirty kiss. He whimpers into my mouth and I get closer and closer to my peak. Every time he moans like he can’t get enough, he unravels me.
Now, my black silk dress is pulled over my hips as Nico drives into me with forceful thrusts, holding me up with his strong hands under my ass. He fucks me into the wall of the cleaning closet with fervour, never letting up despite how close to opening time we are.
“Are you gonna take my cum, Miss Marie? Are you gonna be dripping while I give a pretty speech about you as my muse?”
“Yes. God, yes. I want it,” I say. I’m mindless with lust, dark desire coursing through my bloodstream and making me let go more. I bite his lip until he bleeds and licks the copper taste with greed. “I want you to think of nothing else but how your wife is leaking your cum down her thighs while you stand there with your pretty cock in its cage, making it so painful you wince.”
“Fuck.”
Nico swears and his rhythm picks up even more as he drives into me and we come together, mouths fused to block out our sounds of pleasure. This never gets old.
Nico drops me and my legs shake but I straighten up and let my dress fall back around me in a pool of soft fabric that accentuates my round belly. The very reason why we’re fucking like teenagers instead of giving the room the final touches for Nico’s art exhibit. Since we found out I’m pregnant with our fourth child, our twin boys have been insufferable and Nico has been insatiable, fucking me every night and multiple times a day if he can. As soon as the kids have their backs turned or are asleep, he’s on me, fully embracing his breeding kink. And I can’t say I’m complaining when I get so many orgasms.
“Mum!”
Ember’s voice echoes right outside the closet and we both freeze before chuckling and exchanging a quick kiss. I lock the golden cage again around his length, right up his black suit—no tie—and fluff my hair. Then, we’re out and trying to look as casual as we can.
We make our way to the main room, where our families chatter together and wait. One of the twins, Leo, rushes by and I have enough reflex to catch him and gather him against me.
“Give it back,” I say sternly and his shoulders sag. He looks at me and I see how he clutches the phone against him. I raise a brow and he relinquishes his prize before taking off running again, probably finding Gabriele and making a new plan to annoy their sister. Who knew seven year-old boys could be such a pain in my ass? I wouldn’t change them for the world but with the baby on its way, I’ve been more tired and running after my kids isn’t how I plan to spend my evening. This second trimester is really kicking my butt. Not at all like it was for the boys. Nico thinks it’s because the baby is a girl, but I’m not sure I agree. Once Nico has made his introduction and speech, I’m out of here.
I walk towards Giulia while Nico makes a beeline for his agent.
“Wow,” she simply says then shakes her head.
“What?”
“Really, Marie? Here? Let me guess. It was the utility closet.”
I blush and she beams before throwing her head back in a maniacal laughter. “Shut up.”
“I get it, babe. Andrea did the same thing to me when we arrived thirty minutes ago. That closet is gonna see a lot of couples tonight, I bet you,” she says with a salacious grin.
“Ew, I don’t need to know that,” I answer but there’s no heat in it.
“Do you think you’re the only horny people here? Speaking of, I don’t see Lana and Lisandru anywhere,” she muses before winking. “I’m kidding. They just texted that they’re on their way. How’s Nico?”
“He was a little stressed, but he’s okay now.” I bite my lip and Giulia chuckles. “We reviewed his speech twice in the car and probably ten times this week. So, he’s good and in case he’s not, his agent is amazing and will take over.”
We walk around the room as we continue to talk about his art.
I couldn’t be more proud of him. Over the past ten years, Nico had become more restless and even though he still helps with his previous activities sometimes, he’s turned to painting more and more to process his feelings and work through his compulsive thoughts and nightmares.
This exhibit is his second one. After how successful the first was, two years ago, he worked hard to get an agent and secure a bigger gallery, one with a good reputation and located in the heart of London.
People slowly fill in the space and it’s interesting to see the mix of crowds. To say the least. Mobsters and politicians exchange cold glances or cordial handshakes. The Dobrevs and the Venturas have been patrons, amongst others, and keep the peace between rival families with a hand of steel. Art journalists are patiently waiting for my husband and taking notes of the pieces displayed around the space.
We were a little wary of displaying certain pieces given that some are mementos of his ‘contracts’. But we carefully curated the most abstract and the results, mixed with self portraits painted in blood, and black and white of myself. The result is a haunting and disturbing kaleidoscope of pain, sadness and death. Nico isn’t renowned for colour or joyful landscape and I wouldn’t have him any other way. The memorable effect his art has on people is why the gallery’s so full tonight.
I look around the room and Nico’s agent gives me a slight nod. Making my way towards the front, I catch sight of my children, hunched over Ember’s phone in a corner. They’re not fighting or making too much sound so I leave them to it and listen as Nico shares a short explanation on what inspired him to draw these pieces.
“And finally, my wife. My beautiful Marie.” I walk to stand next to him and he takes my hand in his. “She’s always at the centre of my art. She walks close with death, my favourite muse as you all know. I wouldn’t be the man I am or the artist I am without her. So you’ll see many representations of all she is to me. My everything.”
Applause rings around us and Nico dips his head, carefully avoiding anyone who wants to speak to him. His agent steps in front of him and answers curious questions for him while we make our way to a quiet corner. Andrea and Lisandru stay close by and I know our family will act as safeguards if anyone approaches. We must stay for another hour at least, but we do it on our terms.
Gabriele and Leo come to our side and hug their dad on each side, followed by Ember. Their little finger leaves traces of fat on their father’s suit and I know they found the buffet. At least, they’re not fighting anymore. “You draw weird shit, but it’s beautiful," Ember tells her dad, and immediately, the twins jump on the occasion.
“We’re not allowed to say ‘shit’, stinky-face,” Leo says before sticking out his tongue.
“That’s because you’re a baby. And don’t call me that,” Ember replies before crossing her arms over her chest like it will give her a modicum of authority.
“I’ll call you whatever I want,” her brother teases and before I can separate them, they take off and she chases after them in a flurry of yells and expletives that definitely don’t belong in the mouth of an eleven year-old.
I sigh as I watch them disappear into the crowd.
Nico’s lips on my brow make me melt against him. I let him hold me and inhale the clean scent of his clothes. Pine and lemon mix and I release a calming breath.
“Let’s get home, luna mia . I’ve had enough posturing for tonight.”
“But it’s your big night,” I protest but he shuts me up with a lingering kiss that tastes like a promise.
“Art is only an escape. You’re my forever.” His hand glides against my stomach, affection, love and devotion shining into his amber irises. “You make me who I am,” he says.
I caress his cheek and kiss him gently.
Forever isn’t long enough with Nico Capaldi at my side.
THE END.