Page 43 of Mafia Star

I think about what he’s told me, and it’s a lot to take in. None of it is a turn off. Just the opposite.

“If I enter this world of yours— if I accept all of it —it’s not just for a fling. If I let myself get close to you and all the danger that goes with it, then I want a real commitment, Marco.”

“Beth, the only way I would let you into my life is if I believe we’re in this for good.”

For good? Now that makes my head spin a little.

“It was all or nothing for Chelle and Enzo. Is it like that for us?”

“If you ever want to walk away, I will never keep you from that choice. But I’m not going anywhere. I’ve thought about this non-stop since the reception. I didn’t think I’d have the chance to get this close to you, but I knew if I did, I would be ready to commit.”

“I told you Chelle hasn’t told me everything, but I’ve guessed a lot. I accepted you and all that probably goes with you the moment I went into that room with you. That kiss that night. I knew I wouldn’t walk away if you accepted me. It’s been so bittersweet to think I might have something physical with you, but nothing more.”

“Beth, I’ll give you every bit of me I can. Some parts you’ll never have. And that’s just as well because that’s not the man I want you to see. There’s more I’ll have to explain over time, and if it’s too much for you, then you walk away with no questions asked.”

“Marco, my sister is an excellent judge of character. She knew when she married Enzo, she was getting your entire family. I trust her. I know she’s happy with the choices she made. I know there are other women who have married into your family over the years, and from what Chelle says, they’re all happily married. That means something to me. It tells me a lot about your family and the man they must have raised you to be. That’s why you’re the only person I thought of when I got scared. I’m accepting who and what you are. I have no intention of walking away. You’d be the one to leave.”

“There’s no chance of that, tesoro mio.”

“What does that mean?”

“My treasure.”

“Mio? Not mia?”

“Tesoro is fixed gender, so it’s the masculine form even when said about a woman.”

“I think I’m going to need a daily lesson in Italian.”

“Mmm. I can think of plenty of ways to praise my best student.”

“Your only student, Marco.”

“I’ve been only yours since the moment we met. I fell for you immediately. Your rehearsal dinner speech was intelligent and witty. You looked so happy with your family. I couldn’t stop staring. Then to dance with you at the reception was agonizing bliss.”

“I don’t think those two words go together.”

“They do. I was so happy, but my body ached to touch all of you.”

“When I got home, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Stop wanting you. I might have eased some of that while fantasizing about you. A few times.”

I can’t believe I just admitted that. He chuckles, and I cringe.

“No, no. I did the same thing. That’s why I’m laughing. Beth, we have to go back to what we were talking about before. Will you accept a detail that includes a member of my family? We do it for all the women, so not a single wife will think it’s odd if their husband guards you. They’ll know what you mean to me the moment I ask.”

“What do I mean to you?”

“My future.”

Chapter Nine

Marco

Everything I’ve sworn since I became an adult flew out the window the moment I saw Beth’s panicked expression. The moment she ran to me. Every pledge I made not to get involved and commit to a woman dissolved in a heartbeat. Everything I’ve secretly longed for with her rushed to the surface as I held her then carried her to the office. It’s an exercise in futility to pretend I mean any of those promises anymore.

The woman in my arms is everything to me. I hate— loathe —that it took her being frightened for even a second for me to decide I won’t ignore my feelings any longer. Certainly not now that I know they’re reciprocated. Not now that I’ve let her in, and she’s accepted me.

I reach between us and unzip my pants. I usually wear boxer briefs, but I wore boxers on a whim yesterday. I wore them with a purpose today. I guide my cock to her cunt and thrust. But I don’t move more than that. She was leaning back on her elbows before, but now she sits up. She wraps her legs around me, and her arms are loose around my neck. We’re just holding each other. We’re close enough that she doesn’t have to do more than whisper.

---