Page 36 of Till Death Do Us Part

“Are you?”

“I couldn’t sleep with the music and for worrying about you.”

I looked around, making sure we weren’t overheard. “I’m good.”

“Did he force you?”

Shaking my head, I smiled. “I was afraid, but he didn’t.” I lowered my voice even more. “But if Antonio or anyone asks, we fucked like rabbits.”

Giorgia giggled. “Is that your agreed-upon cover story?”

“Yes.”

She took my hand and squeezed it. “This is going to be better, Mia. I know it.”

Wrapping my arms around my cousin, I whispered in her ear, “I miss having you around already.”

“Me too.”

Sex may have been a subject with the men, but other than some well-meaning questions as to my wellness, the women didn’t ask for specifics. Flashbacks of the morning after my first wedding reiterated the savage nature of some of the famiglia’s traditions.

Aléjandro was across the room speaking with his brother and friends. I had a new appreciation for the way his biceps bulged beneath the sleeve of his t-shirt. My gaze moved lower, remembering the way he looked stepping from the shower.

The shower had been unplanned. Ten years married and I’d never watched a man jerk off. When I first entered the bathroom, I was unsure what my husband was doing. Once it was clear, I found the vision beautiful, the way his muscles in his back and shoulders contracted and the change in his expression…I was mesmerized, unable to turn away. I probably should have snuck back out, not getting caught with my voyeurism. The more I watched, the more I was trapped, like a deer in the headlights.

When he stepped out of the shower, I was hardly able to look away from his penis. Aléjandro was right I’d seen a naked man before but not one proportioned like my new husband. To say he was blessed would be an understatement.

My fears returned, worried if I would be able to handle his size. I may have even been trembling when he removed my nightgown. My mind was trying to compute, and I didn’t know what I was doing. I could blame my acceptance to enter the shower with him on the guilt of my ogling or maybe it was simply curiosity. Whatever the cause, as he held my hand, I willingly chose to accept his invitation.

Never in a million years could I have predicted the gentle and reverent way he cleansed and caressed my body. When I saw him crouched down, I longed for his lips to go to the one place they didn’t—the place I’d deemed off-limits. If he had searched between my folds, I wouldn’t have been able to hide my arousal.

As I ate a bagel, I spotted the girl from the wedding reception—the one who looked miserable. Emiliano had said she was his new aunt. That would be hilarious since she’s younger than him if it weren’t so sad.

She was standing on the terrace, staring out at the ocean. I waited to see if her husband was about take his place at her side, but he didn’t. Looking around the crowd, I spotted him speaking with Catalina’s father. I can’t explain the pull I had to go to her. Taking a blueberry muffin from the counter of foods, I walked toward her.

“Hi, Liliana, I’m Mia.”

She looked up at me with huge eyes. “Yes. I know. You married Aléjandro.”

“Oh, I guess that’s true.” I handed her the muffin. “I brought you this.”

“Gracias.”As she reached for it, the sleeve of her sweater moved up, revealing the brown and green of a bruise on her wrist. I didn’t think she realized I saw it, and I knew from experience, if I mentioned it, she would make an excuse. I’d used them all myself.

Slowly she peeled away the muffin paper.

“I think Aléjandro told me you were recently married.”

Her face paled as she nodded. “Aléjandro, Patr?n’s son, knows about my marriage?”

“I heard your husband is a trusted lieutenant.”

“Sí. Gerardo works hard.”

“You probably know this,” I said, “but I’m new to the area, and I really don’t know anyone. Since we’re both newlyweds, I wondered if maybe we could get together? Coffee? Lunch?”

Liliana looked around. “We live in Northern California. I don’t know anyone there either.”

“Where in Northern California?”

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