Chapter 31 #2
Her eyes grow as they hold mine for a moment, her mouth parting as what I assume is the shock of my real contribution to the world finally sinks in.
“Well…” She fixes the collar of her maroon blouse. “I definitely didn’t expect that. But good for you.” She pauses, her eyes flicking to Gio. “I can see why, umm…”
“Why what, sweetheart?” my father asks while Gio gently strokes me between my legs, like he’s warming me up.
“Uh…” Fernanda’s face tenses and she forces a laugh. “Why she’s got such a strong personality.”
Yeah, this is going quite well.
“She sure has that.” My father reaches for the pasta and adds a hefty amount to his plate.
The conversation flows, and I try to force the penne a la vodka down my throat, but Gio’s fingers languidly slink inside me while another rolls around my clit.
The air stills in my lungs, my fingers squeezing against his powerful forearm.
This is how I die, isn’t it? This is how it all ends. At his mercy, succumbing to an orgasmic obliteration.
I bite down on my inner cheek to stop myself from moaning or jumping off the seat.
He continues to torture me, rubbing me in slow, agonizing circles.
And though I try to force my thighs closed, he’s too strong, pushing himself further inside me, two fingers sinking inch by breathtaking inch until his last knuckle.
“So, Gio,” my father says. “I did want to discuss my expectation of your marriage to my daughter.”
He hits Gio with a hardened stare while I clear my throat, cupping my mouth to stop from screaming in undulated pleasure.
The bastard lets a little smirk slip while he curves those devilish fingers inside me, rubbing me with renewed fervor.
“Of course. What would you like to discuss?”
Gio thrusts deeper and harder, not allowing me a second to compose myself. I grasp the edge of the table and squeeze until my palm aches.
My body heats up, sparks igniting in my core, shooting out to my toes.
I’m so close…
Oh my God…
This can’t be happening in front of everyone.
My shaky fist slams against the table, so loudly that my glass of wine almost tips over.
All eyes go to me, and I breathe out, “Sorry,” sounding like I’m going to be sick.
If I could just grab the nearest knife and stab him with it, that’d be fan-fucking-tastic.
It’s a good thing Sophia is the one seated beside me, because I think anyone else would’ve noticed. And I’m really thankful for the long tablecloth hiding the dirty things his hand is doing.
My clit pulses, my core growing slicker the more he touches me.
Fuck. I can’t seem to breathe.
“As I was saying…” my father continues. “I have heard the rumors about you.” He gives Gio a knowing glare that I’m barely paying attention to. “I expect you to be faithful to my daughter. Will that be a problem?”
“Not at all.”
Gio pumps his fingers all the way inside, then back out, driving me to near desperation. I writhe and wiggle, while he works me to delirium.
I gasp back a sharp inhale, fighting the quivers overtaking my entire body.
“I plan to take my vows very seriously,” he promises, and from the corner of my eye, I find his lips shudder.
“Well, that is good to hear. I hope that is a promise.”
“It is. I always keep my promises.”
Thrust.
“I can’t wait to marry your daughter.”
He rubs my clit faster, and my heart rate spikes to a violent pace.
“I’m glad to hear it.” My father picks up his scotch and takes a sip.
The chatter picks up, Elsie talking to Nicolette, my brothers speaking to Michael, while the man beside me brings me to the edge, then back from it, torturing me to never-ending heights, like he’s daring me to scream out his name in front of everyone.
The faster he moves, the more my eyes start to roll. I drop an elbow to the table, squeezing my eyes with two fingers, almost there. Almost—
“Oh my God!” I gasp as the most intense orgasm bursts through me, wave after wave of pleasure.
Everyone instantly stops talking.
Their eyes on me.
Shit.
My stomach dips, my nipples straining against my tight dress.
“Are you okay, darling?” Fernanda asks. “Is the food not agreeing with you?”
“N-no.” I drag Gio’s hand out from between my thighs. “It’s f—”
“I, for one, think the sausage is amazing,” Gio offers, popping the fingers that were just inside me into his mouth and gives me a salacious smirk. “Don’t you think, Iseult?”
“Yucky, Uncle Gio.” Sophia giggles. “Don’t suck your fingers.”
“I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t help myself.” His eyes sear into mine. “I’m a man who enjoys delicious things.”
My walls clench.
I hate him.
My cheeks heat up while I pour myself some water, swallowing every last drop.
I can’t believe I just came in front of my entire family.
“Well, boys, Fernanda and I are getting married next week,” my father suddenly announces after dessert.
They’re what?!
My pulse slams like a pummeling fist across my throat. He can’t remarry. He can’t just erase my mother like that.
I mutter a curse under my breath, while Gio’s eyes go to me from across the den.
“What? Are you serious?” Michael asks, looking as dumbfounded as everyone else.
I mean, they only just started up again. What’s the hurry? Then again, I guess when you’re older, the clock runs differently.
“I love your mother,” he tells Michael. “Always will.”
He stares at her like he’s the moon revolving around her sun, and all I want is to be gone from here so I don’t have to see any of this. I should’ve skipped out after dinner like I had intended, but my father wouldn’t allow me to leave and go to my apartment.
“I lost her once,” he tells us all, his eyes warm. “And I’ll never do that again. So if you have a problem with that, Michael, then we will have another reason for war.”
I know I should be happy for him. But I’m not.
“I don’t—” Michael tries to say.
“Pat, No.” Fernanda frowns, shaking her head. “No one will be fighting. You got it, boys?” She tosses both Patrick and Michael a stern look. “I’m a grown woman, and this is my choice.”
“Can you two let me finish?” Michael goes on. “I have no problems with you two getting married. In fact, if you two do get married, then would it be necessary for Gio and Eriu to do the same?”
My eyes widen.
Maybe my father will listen to Michael. Maybe there’s a chance Eriu won’t have to go through with this. I squeeze her hand beside me on the sofa, and she returns it.
It’s then that I cast Gio a look. I don’t even know what it says, but his mouth curls just slightly, and I wonder if I could ever truly marry him.
It’s what my father wants: a marriage alliance. And I am his daughter too. But an alliance means kids, a family. Am I even built for that? I’m not my mother. I’m not kind. Or affectionate. I don’t have what it takes to be a mother. Eriu does. Eriu is every bit our mom.