Page 190 of Sin & Sapphire

“Maman,” I protested. “You’ve known Angelo for years.”

“He’s good for you too,” she said. “They balance you, and Luca will keep you from turning cruel.”

“You think the others won’t?”

My mother laughed from deep in her belly. “Ana Costa is going to rule your family with an iron fist. Luca will do it with a smile.”

On that parting note, I rose, intending to lead Ana to a quiet corner so I could tell her just how much I loved her, only to find her beckoning me.

“Time to go,” she murmured. “We can slip out the back gate and go home, and nobody will notice until it’s too late.”

The moment we were in the limousine, I dragged her mouth to mine, licking the seam of her lips until she let me in. “I love you, princess,” I said against her lips, sliding my hands over her dress, frustrated at how impossible it was to touch her in this get-up.

“Patience,maître,” she whispered.

I tangled my hands in her hair, scattering pins everywhere so I could angle her head and kiss my way down her throat, leaving red marks from the force of my ardor.

Angelo sat opposite her. He leaned forward and inched her dress up her thighs. “Put on your seatbelt, pet.”

Ana grinned and didn’t move. I tugged hard on her hair until a tear streaked down her cheek. “Your daddy told you to do something.”

“Make me,” she said.

Luca’s snort of laughter brought a smile to my lips. I cupped her left breast with my hand, admiring how neatly it fit into my palm. “Princess, are you sure you want to play this game?”

Her eyes darkened with lust, and she arched her back, pushing her breast into my hand. “Who says it’s a game?”

I pinched her nipple hard through her bra, and she gasped but didn’t pull back.

“Put your fucking seatbelt on,” I growled. “Or we won’t play any games at all.”

“Promises, promises,” she answered with a smile and did exactly as she was told. The thought of losing her again kept me up at night. Most nights if I was being honest.

“Spread your legs like the filthy slut you are,” Angelo told her, never moving his hands from her knees. Ana let her legs fall open, and he swore. “You’re not wearing anything under that dress.”

I’d never been so jealous of Angelo as when he dropped to his knees and tasted heaven between her thighs.

Ana writhed on the back seat of the limo as Angelo ate his fill. Too soon, or not soon enough, we pulled into the basement parking garage of our building.

Luca swept her into his arms and carried her to the elevator. Her giggles lightened my heart. “You’re ridiculous,” she murmured. “And I’m heavy.”

“You deserve to be carried over the threshold,” I told her, pushing her hair out of her face and kissing her gently. I placed my hand on her belly, not surprised to feel our baby kicking wildly. “And Luca’s strong enough to carry the love of our lives.”

God, I’d never get enough of her laughter. I began to understand why Luca spent so much time clowning for her.

But clowning was the last thing on my mind when Luca captured her lips and made her moan.

Angelo led us into the apartment and then snatched Ana out of Luca’s arms, setting her on her feet.

“Strip,” he commanded.

Ana kicked off her shoes and dropped her veil on the floor before sliding the straps of her gown off her shoulders. Luca moved behind her to unzip it, then shoved it over her hips.

He unhooked her bra, and she stood before us, naked as the day she was born, glowing and effervescent in the moonlight.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” I said and ran my fingers down her arms, pleased to see gooseflesh follow the path of my fingers. Electricity crackled between us.

“Kneel,” Angelo said.

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