Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Ana
Voices startled me awake and then the door opened. I let out a gasp, pulling the blanket all the way up to my face. I didn’t even remember how I got under the covers, but I must have been more tired than I expected. Still, none of that mattered because in the doorway stood a man I’d never met.
He entered slowly, closing the door behind him. He had to be the most handsome man I’d ever seen in my entire life. He was taller than the others, slender yet muscular. Even in his suit, I could see the way his biceps pressed against the material. Please tell me he’s supposed to be my husband.
“Yes I am, beautiful.” I clapped my hand to my mouth a little harder than I meant to.
“Be careful. That had to hurt. No one damages those beautiful lips, except maybe me. I might bite them occasionally.” He gave me a wicked smirk, eyes a light green that shone in the early evening light.
The Houston sunset only illuminated his masculine beauty.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I don’t even know your name.
” And I wanted to know it because if Mr. DeSalvo touched me, I might explode.
My body trembled and stomach tightened as I hid the way my pussy was tingling.
It must be all the adrenaline because my body was reacting to this man like nothing I’d ever experienced before.
“It’s Elio Raphael DeSalvo, and it’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Ana Maria.” The way he said my name was wrong or at least it should be. My panties were a ruined mess, and I was afraid to get off the bed just in case there was a wet spot under me.
Narrowing my eyes, I questioned, “Did you all drug me?”
“What?”
“I asked if you drugged me?”
“I just arrived, and I warned my men to protect you, Amore. So, I believe that you are just…confused.” I nodded.
“Maybe it’s just the crazy day.”
He raised his brows and then smirked, the smile reaching his eyes that were too enticing.
“Come here,” he ordered. I shook my head, but he wasn’t having that.
“I said come here.” The tone was so commanding that I just couldn’t ignore it, and a part of me didn’t want to fight.
I climbed off the bed and then walked toward him
He brushed his hand gently down my cheek and then cupped my face, tilting my head to look into my eyes. “How was your nap?” he asked so tenderly I wanted to rest my head on him.
“Good.” My voice trembled as his fingers violated my common sense and ripped away my resistance.
My entire body shivered from the gentle caress.
The new sensations amplified the pounding of my heartbeat in my ears.
How was that even possible? No boy ever made such a simple touch feel electrifyingly intense. Not that I had any real experience.
He looked at my figure, and then cleared his throat. “Marco said you ate your food, but are you hungry now?”
I shook my head. I wasn’t hungry for food. I desired him, I wanted to touch him, know more about him, understand why he picked me to be his wife. Nothing in my life had a reason to be that good. Then again, from the men outside, I had a feeling that he wasn’t all good.
“There are questions in your eyes. Ask me one for now because I have some for you.” I had to consider the question because there were so many and despite my curiosity, one was the most important.
I took a step back from him, so I could see into his eyes without his touch messing with my blood and nerves. “Are you going to hurt me?”
He shook his head and closed the distance again.
He took my hand and brought it to his lips.
“Never. You’re my wife and the future mother of my children, which means I’d do whatever I could to always protect you and our family.
” He caressed my face and pulled me close.
“I’ll always protect you. Always. Now that includes protecting you from those bastards you’re afraid of. I need names.”
“I’m surprised you don’t already have them,” I scoffed, tilting my head slightly. The man carried himself like he owned the world.
“Why thank you for the vote of confidence already. However, I don’t have the criminal element completely laid out down here.
As for the major families, I spoke to one, and your father doesn’t owe them a dime, so it wasn’t them.
They did give me two others, but my priority was getting here to you first.”
A rush of heat filled my face. “Oh.”
“Yes, oh.” His gaze hungrily dropped to my lips. I couldn’t stop myself from licking them since I knew they were dry. “Damn it,” he growled. Quickly, he crushed his mouth to mine. I let out an audible gasp before succumbing to his kiss.
“So tell me, what are the names of the assholes harassing my beautiful bride?” I tried to control my breathing, but the man was making it impossible. He’d stolen my breath with that kiss and now he was intentionally burning my body from the inside out with his compliments.
“Tony Perez and Eddy Calhoun.” Elio’s face hardened, those broad shoulders that drew my attention suddenly stiffened, and he did a quick about-face. He left the room without a word.
My stomach twisted as anxiety pooled inside me. “What did I say?” I whispered. I stumbled back a bit in shock and hurt. Wrapping my hands around my waist, I tried to protect myself for the future.
I thought he had several questions for me, but after the one he practically evaporated.
The way he disappeared without a look back was almost as shocking as the way he burst through in the first place.
The stranger who claimed to be my fiancé was more of a puzzle than I expected, but somehow I looked forward to solving him.
That is after I let the anger simmer away.
I didn’t know how long he would be gone, but I decided that I needed to test his word.
My uncle promised to help me and then it led him into trouble with Elio.
My father abandoned me for a life of drugs.
I had no one and no matter how attractive Elio was, I could run as soon as we arrived in Chicago if he was a liar.
No one would know me there and it was so massive that as soon as I had some money, I could easily get away.
As soon as I heard footsteps, I turned away from the door and sat on the bed, waiting for his reentry and if it wasn’t him, so fucking what.