“I’m not asking for you to be perfect. I just want to know that we’re older now. More…”
“Mature?” He tried to supply the word.
“Understanding,” she offered up another choice. “And that being your mate doesn’t just mean following your rules or doing what you want.”
He grimaced and shook his head. “If I tried to say that now,” he hissed in a breath, “Allegra and Natale would do the castrating for you.”
“Allegra?” She arched a brow at him. “Really?”
“Of course,” he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips and spoke in a soft cadence that brushed their lips together, “Natale would hold me down and give Allegra the knife. I’d likely pray and bleed a great deal, but they would enjoy the pain and suffering. In solidarity to you.”
“Ha! But I’ve never met either of them.”
“It wouldn’t matter,” he nibbled at the sensitive spot just under her ear, “they’ve fallen in love with an Orsino. It’s bound to drive one or all of you into a murderous rage at some point.”
“And what will you do then?” Her laugh ended on a moan as his tongue swept over the same spot.
She felt his breath puff over her skin as if he was laughing too. “Grovel and most likely beg. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make my mate happy.”
Emiliana turned slightly and straddled his lap, allowing the sheet that she’d held to her naked body fall away and pool at her hips. “Then let’s stay here today,” she turned the tables on him and slanted her lips over his. “I want to get to know this new you even more.”
He enjoyed the kiss, but she could feel him preparing to pull back. With a sigh she leaned back a little.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” his immediate response was there in a heartbeat, “I have more people to see today, mia anima.” He smoothed his hands up her arms and pulled her closer for a kiss. “But tonight, Ana, I will show you how happy you make me.”
“And I,” she gave him a contented sigh, “will do the same.”