Page 25 of Till Death Do Us Part

ChapterSix

Mia

“You’re not serious,” I said, mortified.

Aléjandro’s hand gently cupped my cheek. “You look as if you’re about to faint.”

“I wasn’t. I was doing okay, but…” I looked around.

“Breathe, Mia. I was joking. My family, the cartel, they can be overwhelming. It seemed that no one prepared you for the marriage-unity lasso.”

That was what it was called.

Haven’t they ever heard of a unity candle?

I shook my head. “No one mentioned it or the coins.” My expression softened. “I think they were meaningful.”

“I’m glad. I would have told you. It didn’t occur to me that you wouldn’t know what was happening.” Aléjandro laughed. “I thought we’d sneak away to get a break. I imagine it’s a bit overwhelming. After the unfamiliar wedding traditions, my father’s hugs can be crushing.”

I tilted my head. “I’ve grown up and lived in the Italian Mafia. Our families will need to compete for which is the most overwhelming.”

His gaze focused on my lips. “I want to kiss you. Not like we did out there. Like we did the night of our engagement…like I wanted to after Cat’s wedding.”

My mouth felt suddenly dry.

I enjoyed the kiss on the night of our engagement, but I didn’t want Aléjandro to get the wrong idea. I’d made up my mind. Kissing was as far as I was going in this marriage. I lifted my hand to his chest. “We can kiss, but that’s all we’re going to do.” I shook my head. “I don’t know you well enough?—”

The brown of his orbs darkened. “You’re my wife. You’re mine.”

I nodded. “I am.”

“You would refuse me what is mine?”

Refuse him access to my body.

My body was mine. For too long I’d let someone else rule it.

Swallowing, I looked into his eyes. “Rocco raped me the night of our wedding.”

Aléjandro’s jaw clenched, black swirled within his dark orbs, and his nostrils flared. “He deserved to die. That said, we’re married. I won’t spend the rest of my life living under his shadow.”

“Then show me you’re different.”

There seemed to be a war raging in my new husband’s gaze. Finally, his eyes again focused on my lips. “I still want that kiss.”

As I’d done the night of our engagement, I leaned into him as our lips met. The woodsy scent of his cologne tingled my nose while the taste of tequila captured my tastebuds. This time, his hands didn’t stay on my cheeks, but wandered down my back, wrapping me in his strong arms and pulling me closer. Through his suit coat, I again felt the hardness of a weapon.

“Hey, you two.”

We turned to Emiliano, Catalina’s brother.

“People are starting to speculate about where you went.”

Warmth filled my cheeks.

Aléjandro ran his thumb over my lips and winked. “Let them wonder. Let them think I’m ravishing my wife.”

I looked up and met his stare. “Are you mad at me?”

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