Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 127249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
“Dante.”
As always, his thrusts are controlled, his pace perfectly timed.
Every cell in my body thrums with intolerable pleasure, but I want him to give me the parts he’s withholding from me. I want him to give me everything. No more holding back.
I push back harder and move faster.
“Tatiana.” He slips a hand around my chest and fills his palm with my breast. “Slow down, darling. I don’t want to hurt you.”
I glance over my shoulder at him. “Maybe I want you to.”
My words do something to him, something wild that reflects in his eyes. For the first time since I’ve met Dante Morici, I see him without the armor of his steely control. The chains break, and the beast is finally free from its cage.
I think he may break me in two when he lets himself go, pounding into me without keeping his force in check. His movements are rough, frenzied, and completely selfish. For once, he’s listening to his body and not to mine. For once, he’s taking what he needs from me without putting constraints on himself.
The way he’s pivoting his hips is brutal and raw. Honest. Beautiful. I love the sight of my strong, invincible husband losing himself. I love letting him use me. There are many different types of sex, lazy Sunday morning sex, urgent sex, and romantic sex. We’ve done it all. He’s had me in every position and each way possible, but never like this, never abandoning all his self-restraint and giving me the naked truth, the uncensored version of himself.
He slams home one last time before his body pulls taut. The power of his climax destroys him. I can see it in the uninhibited, vicious gleam of his golden eyes and in how he shakes as if this is taking everything from him. I’m battered and aching, a dull pain spreading inside me, but this is the first time since Dante took me into his bed that I have him completely slain at my feet.
The knowledge passes through his eyes as our gazes remain locked. He knows it. He knows I’ve shattered his infallible control and broken down his walls. And as much as the victory thrills me, he hates it.
A dark emotion twists his features before he adopts an expressionless mask. Withdrawing physically as well as emotionally, he breaks our eye contact and pulls out of me.
The room turns cold.
I feel empty.
We don’t say a word as he carries me to the shower and, as per habit, takes care of me.
After dressing, we have breakfast with Noah, laughing and joking together, but Dante doesn’t speak to me.
When it’s time for him to leave for the office, I walk him to the door.
His face remains unreadable and far away from anything he showed me this morning as he bends over me, drowning me in his subtle scent and masculinity. “Tell Emily I won’t be home for dinner.” He brushes his lips over mine. “Don’t wait up.”
And then he’s gone.
A sinking feeling drags me down. I thought I’d torn down his walls, but he’s put up ten more, each of them more impenetrable than before.
I worry about our unspoken exchange all morning, but the day is sunny, and playing with Noah and Flash lifts my spirits. I call Jazz to see how she’s doing and tell her that I’m looking for a job. I’m lucky that Dante isn’t like many other made men. If it had been up to my father, I would’ve never worked. Many men in the organization refuse because our archaic society condemns self-sufficient wives. The males see it as their job to take care of their women. But working is about so much more than just earning money, although the financial freedom will be welcome. I’ve always wanted to be independent, which my father and Leander never understood.
I want to show Dante how grateful I am for the good husband he is to me. Most of all, I don’t want to leave things like we did this morning. I don’t like it when he shuts me out.
When Noah goes to the playroom after his mid-morning snack, an idea pops into my head. Emily once more offers to watch him while I run upstairs and put on a pretty pink dress with matching heels. I take up my hair and apply light make-up.
Once I’m ready, I grab my bag and check on Noah. He’s engrossed in putting together the new train set Dante has gotten for him. Flash naps close by in his bed. Emily sits in an armchair with a book open in her lap.
She tells me to take as long as I need. After kissing Noah goodbye, I go in search of Ulysses as Reino is off duty.
He stands on the front porch, dressed in a T-shirt, sleeveless jacket, and faded jeans.