Chapter Twenty-Four
Gualtiero
It’s quite a way to our destination, and the night air is biting cold. Now more than ever, I wish we were back in sunny Sicily. As it stands, we’ll never be able to return. But that thought doesn’t belong on a night like this.
I focus on the directions from the satellite navigation. Without it, we’d be in deep trouble finding this place. It shouldn’t be far now.
Sure enough, as we round a bend, warm lights among the trees guide us to our honeymoon suite. We have this place for the next three days, and I don’t intend for us to step outside once.
I pull up to a ramp softly lit by solar torches. We dismount from the snowmobile, and Ella quickly pulls off her helmet and balaclava, staring up into the tree.
“Oh my god, we’re spending our wedding night in a treehouse? Wow… I don’t have words… that’s so, so cool.”
She’s beaming. I chose well with this surprise.
The structure rises among frost-kissed conifers, blanketed in fresh snow. Any trace of the blizzard is gone. The owner worked magic, leaving everything picture-perfect.
“It’s not just any treehouse. It was built by the best treehouse builder in the world, a renowned Norwegian. E. Bell, I think his name is.”
“I’ve never seen a two-story treehouse, or one with such a long ramp. It’s magnificent. All the ones I’ve seen had ladders or spiraling staircases.”
“Well, this certainly makes it easier for a groom…”
I scoop my angel up, her arms slipping around my neck as I carry her up the sturdy wooden ramp, her laughter echoing softly through the trees.
With each step, my heart races more at the realization that she’s finally mine.
Forever.
“Here we are, angel,” I murmur, brushing my lips over hers as we reach the front door.
Fumbling with the handle, I struggle to steady myself, adrenaline making my fingers clumsy.
A soft laugh escapes her, and she shifts in my arms, her gloved fingers reaching for the latch. Our laughter blends with the creak of swaying pine trees as the door swings open, revealing the intimate space inside.
I carry my bride over the threshold and set her down gently. As she shrugs out of her gloves and jacket, she looks around, her eyes lighting with delight.
Soft electric candlelight casts a warm glow across the room, furnished with a cushioned sofa, a sturdy coffee table, and a couple of low bookshelves.
A wall of windows reveals the moonlit mountains through a clearing.
In one corner, a small kitchenette sits stocked with everything we’ll need for the next few days.
A separate bathroom is tucked behind the only internal door, featuring a large bathtub set in front of a floor-to-ceiling window with sweeping views of the mountains.
“Oh, I can’t wait to soak in that tub,” Ella sighs happily.
“First, I have to make you dirty,” I murmur, nipping her ear as I pull her flush against me, grinding my pelvis into her ass.
As we climb the stairs to the mezzanine bedroom, electric candles of varying heights cast a soft glow in one corner.
“Aww…” my angel gasps as she takes in the king-size bed, rose petals scattered across the cover and a bottle of sparkling grape juice chilling in a bucket on the bedside table.
“It’s perfect,” she breathes, her joy filling the small space.
I turn her toward me, our eyes locking.
“You’re perfect.” My voice is rough as need takes hold.
I take her hand and let my gaze linger on the ring marking her as mine.
Lifting it to my lips, I kiss each finger, lingering on the symbol of our union.
Mine.
Stepping closer, I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close. Her head tilts to the side, giving me access to her neck. I let my breath brush her skin, and a shiver runs through her.
A smile curves my lips. I love the effect I have on her.
My hands slide over her shoulders and into her hair, pulling out the pins holding her golden strands in place. One by one, I remove them while she leans into me, soft and pliant.
When I’m done, I cup her face. Her ocean-blue eyes lift to mine, and for a moment, everything else fades.
My lips brush hers, and a soft moan slips free as she clutches my shirt, pulling me closer.
I thread my hands into her locks, holding her there as the kiss deepens. Her fingers slide into my hair, and I love the way she drags her nails through it.
My tongue meets hers, the rhythm familiar and consuming. We’ve done this countless times, yet it’s never enough. It only ever deepens my hunger.
A needy whimper escapes her.
Damn. I need her too.
My fingers find the zipper of her dress and drag it down, while her hands trace my body until they reach the waistband of my trousers, untucking my shirt and thermals and slipping underneath my clothes.
I shiver at her touch, and I feel her smile against my lips.
Yes, angel. You affect me just as much as I do you.
Her hands roam over my body. I love the impatience she fails to hide.
“I want you so much… husband,” she whispers, and I don’t even try to suppress the groan that leaves my throat at that one word.
Husband.
“Say it again,” I order, my voice gruff as I push her dress off her shoulders and let it slip to our feet.
Ella beams at me in her thick layer of thermals. Good thing she listened to at least one of my requests.
Licking her lips, she all but moans, “Husband.”
Like an adolescent boy, my cock swells, ready to explode.
I take a deep breath and stare out the window to calm down while my bride strips off her long johns, leaving her in a seductive white lingerie set.
Fuck me.
A respite is not in sight. She’s derailing all my plans.
Chest heaving, my gorgeous, beguiling wife cups my face and pulls me in for a fiery kiss, her tongue tangling with mine.
Her hands move to my shirt buttons, undoing the first couple. But they don’t give in to her eager fingers fast enough.
With a huff, she rips my shirt open down the middle. She likes doing that.
And fuck if her impatience doesn’t turn me on.
She helps me pull off my torn shirt. Reaching over my shoulder, I grip the collar of my thermal shirt and pull it over my head.
“Husband, I love your body,” Ella gushes, stepping back to take me in.
I do the same, letting my gaze travel from her head to her toes, pausing when I reach the swell of her stomach.
My blood rushes south, my cock now straining against the zipper of my pants.
Taking her in my arms, I kiss her until we’re both breathless, then lift her until her legs wrap around my waist. Carrying her the few steps to the bed, I sit down with her straddling me.
She licks down the column of my throat before making her way back up again, nibbling on my earlobe.
Oh, that feels good.
Don’t get distracted.
Sneaking my hand around her waist, I lift her slightly and place her face down over my lap.
Surprised, she yelps, her arms flailing before she grabs my calves to steady herself.
“What are you doing?” she laughs.
I swat her ass. I can’t see her face, but a shudder runs through her body.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“You normally only spank me during sex.”
“Well, I can’t always be so predictable. Besides, you deserve it.”
“Deserve it? Me?” she asks, trying to sound innocent. “What have I done?”
Leaning over her back, I whisper in her ear, “You tell me.”