Page 29 of Till Death Do Us Part

ChapterSeven

Mia

Seeing our new home would wait for tomorrow. We would spend the first night of our married union here at the Ruiz home, as was another tradition. As Aléjandro walked me into the house and up the stairs, he explained that Mexican weddings were a two-day affair. Tomorrow, the family and guests would come back together for brunch where we would open our gifts.

“There won’t be sheets for your mother to see.”

Aléjandro lifted his chin. “That’s a barbaric tradition beneath our standards. We believe that a wife is precious, a jewel, and the matriarch of her family. Discussing her bleeding is degrading.”

It was the first thing Aléjandro had said that I agreed with.

As we ascended the staircase, my body moved beyond the festive celebration to an agitated feeling of terror. I wasn’t a frightened eighteen-year-old girl. No. I had experience, which made this worse.

With each step, I grew more confident that I wasn’t willing to give in to the man holding my hand, not without a fight. Common sense told me that fighting would only encourage a man like Aléjandro, but as we approached the primary suite, our destination for the night, I knew Dante wouldn’t save me as he had months ago.

I was running out of options.

The double doors were slightly ajar. Aléjandro opened one wider, bidding me entrance. By the time I crossed the threshold, my hands were trembling and the excessive amount of food I’d consumed was threatening to make a second appearance.

Aléjandro closed and locked the door. The French doors leading to a balcony were open. The sounds of the ocean as well as the continued celebration from below filled the room. With my feet still bare, I stepped out onto the cement balcony. Walking to the railing, I peered down at the pool, seeing the party progressing without us. Though I couldn’t see the ocean, the massive dark hole below the star-filled sky, as well as the swoosh of the waves, confirmed its presence.

Crossing my arms and covering my breasts, I turned back toward the bedroom.

Biting my lip, I watched as Aléjandro removed his suit coat. His tie from earlier was loose and hanging around his neck, and the first button of his shirt was opened. Removing the cuff links, he rolled the sleeves of his shirt to his elbows, revealing muscular forearms. Last, he removed the holster containing a gun from his chest.

He moved to the open doorway, his dark gaze on me. “I chose you, Mia. Don’t ever doubt that.”

“I’ve been honest with you. I didn’t want…don’twant this marriage.”

With his chiseled jaw clenched, he stepped outside. The look in his eyes made me want to run, but there was nowhere to go. With the cool banister against my lower back, I contemplated screaming. If I did, would the guests hear me above the continued sound of the band?

Refusing to submit, I lifted my chin, maintaining our stare-down.

He came closer, pinning me between his muscular body and a two-story fall. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he pulled my hips against him. Even at eighteen, I’d recognized the feeling of an erection against my body.

“Aléjandro.”

“You’re mine.” He cupped my cheeks as he had the night of our engagement. “You’re beautiful.” He nestled his lips near my neck. “You smell of sweet, wet arousal, even sweeter than the night in that hallway.” His warm breath sent chills over my flesh. “You can try to deny it, but your body is speaking louder than your words.”

My nipples beaded beneath my dress and my core grew damp, yet I refused to give in so easily. I moved my palms to his wide chest and with all my might, I pushed him away. “No.”

He lifted his gaze to mine with a look of confusion. “You were smiling during the celebration.”

“Because I had fun.” I hated to admit it, but it was the truth.

“Dancing?”

“You’re a good dancer.” I pushed my way around him and back into the bedroom. Aléjandro was merely a step behind me. I turned, facing him. “I don’t want to have sex with you.” When his orbs grew darker, I asked, “Are you not used to women telling you no?”

His lips twitched. “Women, no. Men, as I’m about to kill them,sí, they say it often.”

If that was meant to scare me, he chose a woman from the wrong famiglia. Men killed, it was what I was used to and despite a hope for better, it was what I would always know.

He reached for my shoulders and slowly walked me backward. I was unsure where I was trying to flee or where I would be safe, but I kept moving my feet until my shoulders collided with the wall.

“Kiss me.” His tone didn’t suggest a request.

My breasts heaved as I took a ragged breath. “If you force me, I’ll hate you forever, just as I hated Rocco.”

---