Page 15 of His Bride

A whimper escapes her lips as I breach her barrier. I pause, giving her time to adjust. Her face contorts in discomfort, but there’s a flicker of curiosity, maybe even pleasure.

“You feel incredible,” I groan, unable to hold back any longer.

I begin to move, setting a steady rhythm. Adriana’s discomfort gradually fades, replaced by soft moans of pleasure. Her hips start to meet mine, our bodies finding a synchronized dance.

The sight of her beneath me, flushed and wanting, stirs something within me. I’ve fucked many women, but this - her - feels different. Dangerous.

As our passion builds, so does the conflict in my chest. I’m a man accustomed to taking what I want, consequences be damned. But Adriana… she deserves more than the darkness I bring.

We reach our climax together, her walls clenching around me and I spill inside her. For a moment, the world narrows to just us.

Reality crashes back as our breathing steadies. I look down at Adriana’s flushed face, her eyes still closed in bliss. A foreign emotion tugs at me - protectiveness, possessiveness, and something I refuse to name.

“You’ll be my undoing,” I say, more to myself than her. “God help us both.”

I rise from the bed, my muscles taut with lingering tension. Grabbing a warm, damp cloth from the ensuite, I return to Adriana. Her eyes flutter open, vulnerability etched in every line of her body.

“Let me,” I say softly, gently cleaning between her thighs. She winces slightly, and I feel a pang of… guilt? Regret? I push the unfamiliar emotions aside.

“Are you alright?” I ask, my voice gruffer than intended.

Adriana nods, her face still rosy. “Yes, I think so.”

I brush a strand of hair from her face, my calloused fingers lingering on her cheek. She trembles beneath my touch, a mix of fear and a hint of desire.

“You did well,” I say, surprising myself with the tenderness in my tone.

We lie side by side, the silence heavy between us. I turn my head, studying her profile in the dim light. She’s beautiful, yes, but it’s her innocence that captivates me. An innocence I’ve just taken.

My mind races. I want to possess her completely, to keep her hidden from the world. But I also want to shield her from the darkness that surrounds me - from myself.

I clench my jaw, conflicting desires battling within me. Adriana turns, her eyes meeting mine, filled with questions I’m not ready to answer.

In this moment, I realize: she may be my greatest weakness, or my ultimate salvation.

Chapter Six

Adriana

I open my eyes to an empty bed, the sheets cold beside me. Dante’s gone. My body aches, a dull throb between my thighs reminding me of last night. Heat floods my cheeks as memories surface - his rough hands, his hungry mouth, the way he made me cry out…

I shake my head, trying to clear it. The bedroom feels cavernous without him. Shadows cling to the corners despite the sunlight streaming through the windows.

Wincing, I sit up. “Dante?” My voice sounds small in the vast room. No answer.

I swing my legs over the side of the bed, muscles protesting. The hardwood floor is cool under my bare feet as I pad to the adjoining bathroom.

The shower beckons. I turn the knob, letting steaming water cascade over me. It eases some of the soreness, but does little for the ache in my chest. What am I doing here? How did I end up married to a man I hardly know? Why didn’t I run away when I had the chance?

“Get it together, Adriana,” I mutter, scrubbing shampoo into my hair. “This is your life now. Deal with it.”

But doubt gnaws at me. The soap stings a scratch on my hip - a reminder of Dante’s passion. Or possessiveness? I’m not sure there’s a difference for him.

I rinse off and step out, wrapping myself in a plush towel. The mirror shows a woman I hardly recognize - eyes too wide, skin flushed. Is this what a mafia wife looks like?

“Mrs. Rossi,” I try the name out loud but the title makes me feel weird.

Back in the bedroom, I dress quickly in a simple blouse and skirt. No sign of Dante. Did he leave without saying goodbye? The thought shouldn’t bother me, but it does.

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