CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“M y father couldn’t make it, but you’ll see him in…” Olivia stopped speaking and covered her mouth. “I forgot. Rocco wants the location to be a surprise.”
“Can you give me a hint?” I teased.
She shook her head and laughed. “I’ll be in trouble if I do.”
I chuckled. “Okay. Anyway, I’m very excited to go. I’m looking forward to seeing Mr. Marini again.”
The end of the night had arrived, and the Brass Clarinet was closing. After a tense dessert, we danced and went back to enjoying the night. No one brought up Mama and Glenn leaving early. I didn’t know how to excuse it, so I went along with everyone ignoring what had happened. My family had completely disappointed me, and deep down, I was hurt by it. Once again, my grandfather had skipped out on something he’d told me was so important. My grandmother, too. And Mama had been disrespectful to my potential in-laws. They had all done things I’d never consider doing to them.
“I want you to feel at home with us, Adelina. We’ll leave for Italy soon to help with the wedding, but we want you to know you have a family now.” She hugged me. And even though I knew there was discord between my mama and her, she had been genuinely kind to me. In fact, the differences between my family and the Marinis was so extreme. Warmth versus cold, if I was honest. I felt welcomed. As opposed to my family, where it was becoming clearer that I was simply a pawn. Only of use when needed. It’s as if I don’t really matter.
“It was really wonderful to meet you, Olivia. Thank you again,” I said with a lift to my tone.
She patted my back and kissed my cheek. “Hope your mom’s headache gets better.” Her tone was sarcastic, but she left me to stop her children, who were sliding on the floor with their friends without their shoes.
Olivia didn’t hide her feelings about my mother, which worried me. It wasn’t good to start a marriage with fighting relatives. Would they try to convince Rocco to change his mind? The thought stayed present in my mind when his father came and shook my hand, with his focus mainly on Rocco. “Excuse us.”
Rocco squeezed my shoulder before walking away to speak with his dad. I fought not to watch them and used the time to check my phone for messages.
Cassidy: O.M.G. I saw a video of you standing with Rocco outside the theater. You looked sensational, darling. I hate you, and I love you!
I grinned and bounced on my heels as I typed a response.
Adelina: Thanks, babes. I miss you, Gorgeous!
There was also a text from Mama.
Mama: I’m back in Connecticut. I can’t believe how rude Rocco was to me, and you just stood there.
Rocco’s snort clued me in that they had finished their family meeting, and he was peering over my shoulder at Mama’s message.
I pressed my lips together and put my phone away, and with a wave, we left the restaurant, where his security quickly moved us inside the limousine. Once we were in our seats and moving, a wave of nausea soured my stomach. Would she call my grandparents? Would they be upset? Not if she doesn’t call. I texted her.
Adelina: Just drop it, Mama. It was a good evening. Talk to you later.
Rocco cursed under his breath.
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
“No, it’s not.” He roughly untied his bow tie and unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, my pulse picking up.
He took off his jacket and hung it on a hook. “I thought your grandparents were rude for not coming tonight, but your mother was worse. I couldn’t believe how she treated my parents,” he snarled.
My cheeks warmed. “She was caught off guard coming into the city for the party—”
“Was she? She was all dolled up, ate the food, drank the champagne, and didn’t stop flapping her lips complaining,” he gritted.
I folded my arms. “Don’t talk about my mother like that. You don’t know her and all she’s been through—”
“That’s the point, Adelina. We don’t know her. She never gave any of us a chance to.” He tugged my arm down and touched the engagement ring. “Did you see her face when she saw you? She was pissed. You looked stunning, all dressed up, and not in the rags she and your grandmother had kept you in. You laughed, danced, and had fun. My family is very pleased with you.”
I pulled my hand away and grimaced. My throat thickened . So that’s the reason for everything. He’s so proud of cleaning up the poor girl. Tears threatened to fall, and I wouldn’t dare show them. The last thing I wanted was more of his pity. My focus went to the door handle, wanting to open it and run away from my thoughts. But I couldn’t. Rocco brought up again how he found me that first night. He saw my family as cruel, classless. That’s all I’d be to them, a lowly charity case.
“Adelina?” Rocco touched my arm.
I scooted further away from him on the seat.
“What’s going on? Please talk to me.” His voice had softened, but that didn’t change anything.
My lips pursed and I crossed my arms. “So that’s what tonight was all about, Rocco? You dressing me up like some show pony for your family?”
“What are you talking about?” Rocco asked.
“I’m talking about you giving the poor girl some fancy clothes and a kiss. Is that all it takes? You think I’ll just melt all over you—”
“Yes, I do. You will melt for me, Adelina. And you will love it,” Rocco hissed.
I turned my head away, and he clasped it, turning it back to face him. His mouth pressed hard to mine, his tongue parting my lips, thrusting into the deeper recesses of my mouth. I kissed him back just as fiercely, grabbing his head and pulling him closer. He made me angry; he made me want him more. I pushed his chest, and we broke apart, panting. But he didn’t move away.
He captured my chin and lifted it so that I could look at him. “You’re going to be my wife, Adelina, even if your mother throws a tantrum. She doesn’t control me—”
“Is that why you pulled your power crap to stop me from seeing her off?” I snapped.
He nodded. “That’s right. Poison takes effect. Your mother knew she hadn’t dropped enough poison in your head, so she tried to drop more before she left.”
I moved his hand. “I’m not easily manipulated….” I hesitated on those words. That didn’t even ring true to my ears. But Mama had a hard life, and she was trying to help me in her own way. “I didn’t even agree with my mother, but you don’t know all she’s been through.”
Mama did what she’d always done to get me on her side. She’d pulled my heartstrings, and I rode in like a champion to slay anyone who harmed her. “She’s fragile.”
“What about you, Adelina? I haven’t heard you say one thing about your feelings? Being your soon-to-be husband also means I protect you. No one hurts you, not even family, and that includes mine.”
My pulse sped up, and I touched my throat. Nothing got past him, and he was concerned about my feelings? So few in my life ever considered them. A flush of adrenaline tingled through my body. But Rocco did.
The car stopped, and I heard the driver’s door close. Rocco sat there.
“Are we getting out?” I asked.
He blew out his breath. “Not yet. I know you don’t know me yet, but I want you to. Tonight was for you.” His tone changed to gentle, soothing.
I touched my neck and glanced down at the engagement ring. “We’re already fighting.”
“Fighting is passion, and we will have it,” he said so certainly. “I want to make you happy, Adelina. That’s what I tried to do.”
A pang went through my chest. I loved tonight and had the best time. Most of all, I’d enjoyed how attentive Rocco had been to me. He put me first tonight. It wasn’t just his engagement party, it was mine. He’d tried to make it all good for all of us.
“I loved it, Rocco,” I whispered.
“That’s all I want. For us to try,” he murmured.
Rocco placed his hand on my knee and it started trembling.
“You scared? I don’t want to scare you,” he whispered.
My head fell forward. “I’m not scared…I’m nervous.” I liked it too much when he touched me.
“Why?” He squeezed my knee, his hand moving under my dress and rubbing against the silk stockings. “Smooth, hot. Tell me to stop, and I will.”
My breath hitched as he ran his hand back and forth on my knee. “I’ve been thinking about your pussy all night…How good it’ll feel on my tongue.”
“Rocco.…” I tried to scold him, but my voice came out breathless. My clit throbbed, and I lowered my eyelids. I feared what I’d do, but I didn’t move his hand away. “Like, right now? Here?”
“Yes, we fight, we make up…Tell me, were you wet all night? Mmm. Give me your thong so I can feel it.” His hands were steady as they moved around my legs, unfastening the garters.
My hands shook, and Rocco took them in his and kissed each finger, and after went back to waiting. He wouldn’t take more from me than I willingly wanted to give to him. But could I let him?
My nipples tightened and my clit swelled. I wanted him so madly. A moan left my lips as I squirmed, moving the lace thong down my legs.
He then resumed to caressing me and my skin was hot to his touch. “Mmm, you’re so wet for me. I’m hard for you. Oh, Adelina. There’s so much I want to show you…to do to you.”
He put the thong in his pocket, then left his seat to get on his knees, placing a kiss on each knee and nuzzling one with his cheek. I shivered—a lifetime of wondering if I’d ever have a man go down on me. I never expected it, even from the man I imagined would be my husband.
Rocco was so sexy, and every touch was a sensory overload. But should we? My body heated and my muscles tensed. I could feel my nipples tighten and my clit throb. There was no stopping. All I wanted was what he’d promised—to have his sensual mouth pleasure me. My thighs clenched in anticipation.
“Damn, Adelina.” Rocco let out a groan, his breath warm as he kissed my inner thigh. His hands ran over my smooth legs, placing one leg on his broad shoulder, as he opened my other thigh wide. I leaned back on the seat, my heart pounding in my ribs. It was bright enough that wherever we stopped, he could see. A nervous tremor went through me. I risked a glimpse of him staring at my pussy.
“You’re gonna make me lose my mind. Fuck, you’re so sexy,” he groaned, and his praise made me wetter. Oh, my God. I sucked on my bottom lip to stifle my moan.
“Go on, Adelina, let me hear you.” He moved his head between my thighs, kissing up the inside. Then he let out a moan and dragged his tongue up my slit. I shivered with a jolt of pleasure. Oh, yes. I let out a loud gasp.
“Mmm… You taste so good.” He slid his tongue through my pussy, stroking and enlivening the soaked flesh, licking teasing circles on my clit.
My breathing came faster, and I moaned at the intense sensations of his hot tongue on me. “Ohh, it feels so…so good.”
His hands moved under my ass to pull me closer. “Oh, Bella.…”
My hands moved to his head as he pressed his tongue on my clit, lapping me harder. My back arched, and my hips lifted. I moved my hands to his head and gripped. “Please, please don’t stop.”
His hand caressed the inside of my thigh. “Oh, I won’t.” He lapped and stroked my clit as I shamelessly rocked my hips against his mouth. The pleasure was so intense. Hell, Rocco hadn’t stopped pleasuring me, he was determined. I pulled on his head as the ecstatic sensations crested. My thighs shook, and I panted.
“Ohh,” I repeated as he lapped and teased. Oh, Rocco . He sucked on my clit, and I cried out as I came, moaning and shaking. But he didn’t stop.
Rocco pressed his head down to hold my thighs open. Then his tongue dragged down to my opening, and he slid in.
“Ohh yes,” I cried out in shock, squirming with ecstasy, my heart hammering.
“Mmm, fuck, give me more, Adelina,” he murmured between heavy breaths, then moaned. His sinful tease with my virginity had me spasming and clenching as his tongue stroked my entrance. I gasped loudly, my pulse in my throat. Over and over, he stroked, teased, and tunneled his tongue inside me. Ohh. Fuck . I stiffened and came again.
Every muscle felt overworked, but he went back to lapping my clit. He moaned, “Mmm, I can’t get enough.” I spasmed and shook, the ecstasy too good to leave as he kept licking and sucking my pussy. I surrendered to his will, and it was only then that Rocco let me go. Our heavy pants were the only sounds in the car.
The car….
Oh, wow. Rocco. So, wow. I never knew it could feel so good.
My gaze was unfocussed. I was drained of energy. My legs stretched down on the seat. A few seconds later, Rocco opened them again, and I felt something soft between my legs. I opened my eyes to see Rocco wiping between my thighs.
I covered my face with my hands and took the cloth from him. “I’ll keep that.”
He chuckled. “You can change on the plane.”
I sat up and pulled my dress down. My eyes scanned over my rumpled dress, no underwear, or stockings.
He kissed my forehead, then pulled me across his lap and held me. “Was that too fast for you?”
“Too late for that,” I croaked.
“No, it’s not. It only makes it meaningful if you want it, too.”
Rocco continued to surprise me. He’d pleasured me, and I hadn’t reciprocated. I could feel his erection beneath me. “Wh-what about you?”
“Soon, Bella. Right now, it’s all about you.” He held me, and I hadn’t known I had tensed up again, but I eased in his arms. It was then that he placed me on the seat.
He climbed out and was steady on his feet; except for the tousled hair and stubble, he looked as handsome as ever. The sight of his swollen mouth sent a wave of heat and lust coursing through me. I forced myself to turn away. Get ahold of yourself .
We were inside a domed air hangar, bright with lights and a steady hum of machines. There was an empty space next to a couple of planes, and rows of cars in the building. Isla stood next to the stairs of one of them, talking to the pilot and hostess.
My legs were wobbly, and I teetered on my feet. Rocco took my waist. “Hmm. Tired?”
I nodded.
He tucked me into his side. “It’s close to two in the morning. Let’s get you to bed.”
I lowered my head, then glanced ahead. My cheeks burned, and I could only imagine what they’d heard or what I looked like right now.
“All set?” he said to her.
“I’ve given the crew what you needed. The plane is ready for take-off.”
“ Buongiorno. è bello vederti di nuovo ,” Rocco greeted a flight attendant on board.
I smiled and said, “ Ciao. Piacere di conoscerti . I speak Italian.”
“I see. I love that you speak Italian,” he said with pleasure in his tone. “Modern languages was your major?”
I nodded. “Minor. I always had a knack for easily learning languages.”
He nodded. “That will help a lot when we travel.”
We moved down the carpeted aisle to take seats next to each other on leather recliners, passing the built-in, custom lounge with a flat-screen television on our way to our seats.
We were up in the air in less than ten minutes. The sky was still dark, but we were flying at two in the morning. I stifled a yawn and shifted in the seat. The fancy dress was great to wear, but I hadn’t expected to have it on without underwear. Scandalous.
My mind kept replaying the feel of his strong hands squeezing my buttocks. The wet sounds of his licks. The heaviness of his pants as he stroked and sucked my clit. I closed my eyes to try to regain focus, but the surge of arousal came with heated lust. My desire for him to do it all over again was strong.
“What are you thinking about?” Rocco’s baritone cut into my fantasy. From the amusement in his voice, he had an idea.
“Nothing really,” I lied.
He leaned over and kissed the side of my head. “Hmm. I’m thinking the same thing…I can’t wait to do it again.”
Rocco had been getting me used to his casual touches from the start. It was possessive in a way that had taken me off guard, and it awakened a need inside me like no other. I had little or no defense against it. I needed some distance to clear my head.
Mama demanded my indifference, but she also advised me to get pregnant. Was I to be cold to Rocco and also behave like some temptress? There’s no way I could pull off such a calculated aloofness. Grandfather said to obey Rocco in every way. Yet, they weren’t treating Rocco well. Why would they risk it when they said they needed this marriage? They wanted his money, but were too proud to show him respect? I couldn’t imagine him putting up with it. Where will that leave me?
“Do you want to know where we’re going?” Rocco said, interrupting my thoughts.
My brows rose. “Where?”
“Florence. But we’re flying into Pisa to drive to the house from there.”
Excitement spiked my veins, and I beamed at him. “Really? Pisa and Florence?”
He squeezed my hand. “I thought you’d enjoy it.”
My legs were eager to jump up and down on hearing the news, and he chuckled as he watched me unbuckle my seat belt, my mouth aching from my big smile. My hands moved out to hug him, but I hesitated. My pulse increased at the fear that he’d reject me. It wasn’t logical after what we had done together, but that was my experience. I had always waited because I was never sure anyone would reciprocate my affection. My grandparents expected restraint, and Mama had expected me to be her rock. There wasn’t much room for me to express my feelings. With Cassidy, it had taken me years to hug her. I’d only been quick to do so with Nadia, who hugged me many times; it just seemed natural with her. But Rocco….
“Adelina,” Rocco said my name to refocus my attention. His expression was joyous; he moved the armrest and calmly waited.
My hands were hesitant at first, but I moved them toward him. My arms went around him, and he let out a deep sigh as he drew me close.
My heart pounded and worries rose in my mind that I may be reading too much into things. Still, I closed my eyes and basked in his arms with contentment.