Page 57 of A Promise For Tomorrow

That’s what my little butterfly does to me. She is the eye of all my storms. A place where I can protect her. A place where any enemy will deal with my wrath before ever taking away her light. If she chooses to stay, she’ll always remain safe.

“I was at first. I was fuming, Diego. But then, when my dadshowed his approval, showed how much he respected the two of us…all that anger fizzled out and was replaced by relief.”

The elevator arrives. I guide us inside, still keeping her tucked tightly against me. The doors close, filling the space with a quiet hum as we ascend the few floors to the top presidential suite.

“Do you think we’ll still have the same chemistry now that I’m not your dirty little secret?” I goad.

Inertia sets in as we reach the top floor. She plucks the key card from my hand and dances down the short hallway to our suite.

“I don’t know,” she sing-songs. “Let’s find out…”

God, this woman. I chase after her, laughing and smiling as she holds the door open for me. Is this what happiness, genuine happiness feels like? Cause if it is, I want this feeling to last forever. I want to keep that beautiful smile on my wife’s face for the rest of our lives.

Madison spins on her heel and stops dead in her tracks. Candles are lit throughout the space, bringing a coziness to the room. The gas fireplace only adds to the warmth and charm. Her booted feet carry her to the bedroom, where a king-sized bed sits central and the jacuzzi tub in the corner is filled to the brim with rose petals and bubbles. Delicate fingers trace the soft cotton sheets where an ice bucket with champagne and a tray of chocolate covered fruit sits at the edge.

I come up behind her to wrap my arms around her center, then gather her hair to one side and place kisses along her neck. She tilts her head, granting me better access while melting into me.

“I didn’t know you did romance…” she sighs her approval.

“I don’t. I hope this isn’t cliché as fuck…but I’m trying here,Mariposita.”

Spinning around in my arms, she circles her own around my back. Her head tilts back as her eyes ignite with sparks of amber. “It’s perfect. Thank you,” she whispers as her eyes drop down to my lips.

I lower my head until our noses and foreheads touch. Her breathing increases as her breasts press up against my chest.

“You deserve far more than I can give you. But damn, baby. Hearing your father’s approval of me made me feel a tiny bit worthy of your love.”

“Diego…how could you ever think you don’t deserve me? You’ve helped mold the best version of me. That’s like saying the chef who created all these amazing recipes doesn’t deserve the credit. Doesn’t deserve the praise or the Michelin stars. You don’t have to keep trying to earn my love. I’ve told you once and I’ll tell you again… I love you,Ocean Eyes.I loved you when you were my dirty little secret, my captor, and my salvation, and I love you now. I. Love.You.” Her pointer finger presses into my peck to get her point across.

I bow my head, unable to stare into those intense eyes of hers. Her father’s warning has been circling my brain the whole ride here. Am I doing what’s best for her? What if that day comes again? Will I be able to hurt her? Either way, I’m fucked. Her father would end me.

And I’d welcome it.

I never want to hurt my little butterfly again. Shame hits me like a punch to the jaw.

Madison curls her index finger under my chin, lifting it until my watery eyes meet hers. “Don’t. Don’t doubt us now when I finally have you without any restrictions. To be perfectly clear, it was never about the rush of no one knowing. Or the rush of our relationship being reckless. Or even the knowledge there was an end date. I want you. And more than want, Ineedyou, Diego. Being in Arizona, there wasn’t a day I didn’t think about you. About what we could have been if we had only a little more time and a little less chaos.”

I extend my hand to sweep around the room. “Is this whatyou imagined? Sweet, romantic gestures like this?” I let out a pathetic laugh, feeling like a fool for setting this up.It is cliché as fuck.But I wanted her to see a version of a normal relationship. Someone gentle and extravagant with their love language. Big gestures and sappy shit. Most of all, I wanted her to see what would have been if I wasn’t the man I am.

“I already told you. I thought I wantednormal.Simple. You want to know what I’ve really been craving?”

Her ringless left hand grips my sweater and her lips slam against mine. It shocks me and takes me a second to respond. Her lips are fierce, her tongue sliding against my bottom lip, demanding entry. The pinch of her stitches sends a shock of electricity, like a neuron, rushing through me, reminding me of what she’s endured to remain at my side.

My little fighter.

At that moment, something inside my soul clicks into place. My eyes slam open, staring at my own reflection through her amber woven eyes. She is everything I have ever needed. All the parts of me I was running from, all the parts I never knew I was missing until I had her in my arms. She is my vulnerability, my weakness.

Men in my line of work don’t need weakness. They certainly don’t do vulnerability. I don’t give a flying fuck. Her arrival into my life was exactly when it was supposed to be.

Right on time.

Not a minute late.

We had to go through all of the trials we did for our relationship to grow and blossom the way it did. For us to discover ourselves together and apart. And here we are, back together. Her father, the hitman for the Italian mafia, gave mehisblessing.

This beautiful, breathtaking woman has given me all of her by choosing me. And here I am just wasting fucking time…

My mouth drops open as my hands grip both sides of herface. I devour her, careful of her stitches as I show her how much I fucking love and adore her. I pour every feeling running through me into this kiss. Madison moans her response at my shared receptivity and enthusiasm.

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