Chapter 27 Francesca
Francesca
When I finally wake, Carlo’s mobile is buzzing. This is the first time I’ve woken up before him. His eyelashes are impossibly thick and long. His lips pucker ever so slightly. There’s a softness in his expression when he’s resting that’s endearing, and I can study his face at my leisure this way.
But eventually, I must move. My elbow is crooked under his stubbled chin, and it’s becoming uncomfortable. Meanwhile, my knee is drawn up against his stomach, and something hard presses against my shin. Heat fills my face and belly when I recognize what it is. I start to unfold my leg.
“Careful,” he mutters, his voice deep and gravelly. I can’t help giggling, and his eyes open, a lazy smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He picks up his phone, taps out a message and then sets it aside again.
“Do men always wake up this way?” I ask, curiously. I can’t seem to look away from the proof of his arousal hiding behind his boxers.
“I can’t speak for other men. For me, most mornings, yes.”
“When isn’t it hard in the morning?”
“When I never went to bed in the first place. Though, depending on what I’m doing…”
I gasp and smack his arm, laughing quietly when he simply smirks at me. Glancing at the time, I ask, "How long until you leave?"
“Eager to be rid of me?” he asks.
I shrug. “You work a lot. More than Uncle Enzo ever seemed to."
"That fucker will never be a Capo."
I consider his words before it strikes me. "Your father is only in his fifties, but… You do most of the work, don't you?"
I can tell my guess impressed him which makes me feel ridiculously proud. "Technically, he's still the boss, but I'll be Don much sooner than expected, and I already handle the bulk of his responsibilities."
"But that's the entire Trio you're talking about. Hundreds of men will answer to you."
"Closer to two thousand when you include Chicago and Vegas," he counters.
"Yes, they still follow New York's lead. That's going to drive Alessio nuts." He laughs. "It's so much to manage."
"It's what I was born for."
"Why so soon?"
"We kept is as quiet as possible, but he had a heart attack last year. We're hoping to wait until Renato graduates from high school before we make it official."
"I see. No wonder you were in such a hurry to marry me. A Don needs heirs, and he needs a wife to make those."
This time, he seems more amused by my words. "That's not the reason."
Flustered by his intense gaze, I glance at the time again. "You should probably get up. I know business is important.”
“What I’m doing at the moment is important, too.” His words seep through me like warm honey. “I’d like to kiss you,” he husks.
My hand covers my mouth in horror. “I have morning breath.”
He chuckles, starting to rise. “It wouldn’t have stopped me.”
I snatch at his wrist before he can stand. “Then, kiss me. Kiss me because you want to kiss me and I want a kiss, not for any other reason.”
With a pleased glint in his eyes, he lays back down.
Stretching out beside me, his hand slowly caresses my arm, causing an outbreak of goosebumps.
I smile and meet his gaze. He traces my collarbone where my pajama top leaves me uncovered next.
The simple touch ignites that dull ache between my legs.
I shift my hips and the corner of his mouth tips upward.
His eyes drop to my breasts for a moment.
I don’t have to look to know my nipples are hard.
“Kiss me,” I repeat, breathily.
Staring deep into my eyes, he cups my face, leaning in so slowly I decide it must be a torture method.
My heart is thundering when his lips finally brush over mine.
Electricity zips from there to my belly before settling lower.
My eyelids flutter closed, and I focus on the sensation of his mouth sliding over mine, gentle but erotic, too.
His tongue seeks entrance and I yield gladly, savoring his warmth, his manly scent, and the feel of his strong hands on my soft skin.
He pulls back, studying my reaction, before he says, “I have something for you, something I’ve been wanting to give you for the last couple of days. Hold on.” He rolls out of bed and goes to one of his drawers, pulling out a black velvet jewelry box. “Zacheo finally finished it.”
He climbs back onto the bed, and I sit up as he opens the box to reveal the loveliest and most unique engagement ring I've ever seen. The large diamond solitaire is surrounded by two delicate birds made of rubies. He was having this made for me before we even married.
“Songbirds are easier to create with gemstones than sirens and generally sweeter,” he explains with a hint of embarrassment I find terribly endearing.
“Carlo, it’s beautiful.” It’s also incredibly thoughtful, something I didn’t expect from a man like him.
With a silent nod, he removes the ring from the box and places it on my finger. It fits perfectly and matches the diamond and ruby wedding band he chose. “Bold and red, like you.”
We kiss again, and I’m forced to admit, “You’re a really good kisser.”
“Am I being compared to anyone else?” he growls, a dark possessive gleam in his eyes that makes me shiver in the naughtiest way.
“No, I made my own assessment. I can feel your kisses everywhere.” Everywhere might include my heart if I'm not careful. “I can’t imagine a lukewarm kisser having that effect.”
“A lukewarm kisser,” he repeats, chuckling before swiping my bottom lip with his thumb and sending more sparks shooting down to my core.
“Am I a terrible kisser?” I ask, concerned over my inexperience.
“No, Red. Even when your innocence threatens to unravel me, I can feel your kisses everywhere, too.” Placing my hand over his bare chest, I feel his heart beating and trace the outline of his tattoo before trailing my fingers down his six-pack to his navel and lower.
“Was there something you wanted in exchange if I asked for another kiss, Francesca?”
“What would you give me if there was?”
“Anything,” he murmurs while staring at my lips.
"What about my freedom?"
All the playfulness evaporates in a heartbeat. "Anything but that. Monsters can be selfish that way."
He starts to roll away, and I realize he's hurt. I'll never admit it, but I regret my question.
"Wait." Gathering my courage, I let my hand slip down further, carefully wrapping it around his erection through his boxer shorts. “All I want this morning is you.”
He studies me again, trying to detect if my words are true.
We’ll have to work on that, both of us. I sit up, slipping free of my pajama top and shimmying out of the bottoms before I lie back on my pillow to prove I mean it.
The hunger burning in his eyes is unmistakable as they travel the length of me and, when I tug at the waistband of his boxers, his meager resistance collapses as he dives forward to claim another kiss.
“I’ll be gentle, but it might still hurt,” he says as if that causes him pain. “I’ll thoroughly prepare you first though.”
Before I can say anything in response, he grabs me and lifts me off the mattress.
My cry of shock turns into one of pleasure when he settles me over his face and starts sucking my lower lips.
I rock forward, not wanting to smother him, and grasp the headboard.
I feel his tongue licking every inch of my pussy before he enters my opening.
As my initial shock fades, my body quickly surrenders to lust. He eats me the way I’d expected him to fuck me that first time, with unrestrained harshness. And it's divine.
Peering down at him, I watch in fascination at the way he worships me with his tongue.
It’s sexy and sinful and I should probably be embarrassed but I’m not.
That knot of hunger in me tightens and coils.
Higher and higher, I fly, rocking gently against his face as his tongue explores all of me.
Then, his fingers dig into my ass cheeks as he sucks on my clit, and I spiral away into bliss, crying his name.
When I attempt to pull away, he locks his arms around my waist. “Not yet,” he says, roughly. He takes his time licking me, tasting me, and working me toward another release. I whimper and moan, unable to fight the tide even as it seems like too much for one person to experience.
Just as my climax is ready to break over me though, he rolls me to my back.
He grabs a condom from the nightstand before moving between my thighs with his tip brushing my center.
Nervousness has me tensing up, but he dips his head down to my breasts and starts sucking one of my nipples.
Instantly, that erotic hum returns, and I want nothing more than to be filled by him and only him.
Mesmerized, I watch him roll the condom down his length before he slides the head of his cock over my pussy, wetting it thoroughly, while giving each breast its due.
At last, he slips in slowly and groans about the way my walls grip him, distracting me from the discomfort.
He continues teasing my nipples and peppers my throat with soft kisses.
His morning stubble tickles, and I enjoy running my fingers through his thick hair.
The heady smell of sex surrounds me. I lose myself in the sensations.
He pushes in deeper than before, and I have to gulp back a wince. Of course, he noticed. “Too much?”
Slowly, I open my eyes as I get used to the stretch and the feeling of his balls resting against my butt cheeks.
He cradles my head, holding my eyes with a concerned gaze.
My heart does a silly little flip when I answer, “No, not too much.” He continues thrusting but at a steady, careful pace.
“I’m okay, Carlo. Go ahead. I want you to come. ”
“You will, too, this time.” I narrow my eyes at his commanding tone, but he lowers his mouth to my ear as his hands caress every inch of my body.
“I love the taste of you, mia moglie. I loved the way you rode my face. I love your beautiful body, your smile and your kisses.” He moves a little faster and that pleasing knot coils up again, readying for release with every wickedly sweet word that drops from his tongue.
“I could eat you all day. I love the way you grip my cock. I love that you’re all mine. ”
Astonished and delighted as my body’s lingering defenses give way, I surrender, because of that possessive growl but also because of his tenderness.
I didn’t expect it. When he starts thrusting faster and a bit harder, pressing down on my clit and rumbling the words, “Come for me,” I shatter and cry out in ecstasy.