Page 72 of Now and Forever

I nodded. I was sure. I could do this.

Dario began thrusting slow, measured, and controlled. It was as he sped up his pace that a twinge of pleasure simmered within me, growing by the moment. My nipples tightened as energy zapped my core. It was an orgasm, and it was approaching like a freight train. My mind didn’t expect to enjoy this less proper sex. My body hadn’t gotten the memo.

Dario was winding me tighter and tighter.

I gripped the pillow as my body grew rigid. His breaths upon my neck and the sound of his body and mine were all that I could hear as the orgasm ripped through me. I screamed out as my body convulsed around him.

Dario’s thrusts came faster before he too found his release, his deep groan reverberating in my ears. He rested his warm body over mine. My knees and elbows ached. I wanted to lie flat, but I wasn’t sure if I should move. Slowly, Dario pushed away, breaking our union as our juices spilled over onto my thighs.

I rolled to my back, finding his dark stare. “I wasn’t sure I’d like that.”

His lips curled. “From your reaction, I think you did.”

“I did.” In the light of the room, I again touched the scar near his heart. “You said you’d tell me.”

“I was ambushed,” he said, rolling to my side with his head propped up on his fist.

“These stories don’t make me scared of you. They make me frightened for you.”

He kissed my forehead. “My attacker didn’t live to brag. If they haven’t killed me yet, they aren’t going to do it.”

I rolled until I was facing him. “I can still worry.”

Dario teased a strand of my hair away from my face. “Good night.”

I love you.

My eyes opened wide at the thought.

Where did it come from?

This marriage wasn’t about love.

“Good night,” I said, pushing childish thoughts of love away and closing my eyes.

The following morning, Dario surprised me at breakfast. Setting his coffee cup down, his gaze met mine. “I was thinking about what you said last night.”

I couldn’t remember exactly what I’d said. “I might need another hint.”

“That you worry about me.” He shook his head. “You don’t need to, but I can still worry about you.”

Because of what happened to Josie.

“I’m safe with Armando and Giovanni.”

“I was thinking about your brother’s wedding gift.”

My cheeks rose. “I haven’t exactly used it—at all. It’s in a drawer in my closet.”

“I called Rocco and told him I wouldn’t be in the club until later. I thought we could spend the morning together. I’ll continue the lessons Emiliano started.”

“You want to teach me to use a knife?” I asked excitedly.

He nodded. “After breakfast, put on some workout clothes, and we’ll go to the famiglia gym. You can show me what you know.”

“Okay.”

After breakfast, I hurried upstairs, eager to spend part of the day with my husband. Em taught me to wear tight clothes during his lessons. They were less likely to be snagged. I changed into my sports bra, tight running shorts, and pulled a tank top over the bra. Quickly, I pulled my hair up into a high ponytail and was putting on my tennis shoes when Dario appeared at the doorway to my closet. He was changed out of his suit and wearing gray sweatpants and a faded Kansas City Chiefs t-shirt.

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