Mia’s cheeks flush a deep rose, but she makes no move to cover herself. Instead, she reaches for me, her hands pulling at my shirt, eager to feel the heat of my skin against hers. I oblige,shedding the remaining barriers between us, until we are both naked, our bodies flush against each other.

"You’re beautiful," she whispers, her fingers tracing the contours of my chest, the hard planes of my abdomen, and finally, the rigid length of my erection.

I groan, the sound raw and primal, as her touch ignites a fire within me. "So are you, Mia. So incredibly beautiful."

Positioning myself between her thighs, I guide my hardness to her entrance, pausing for a moment to revel in the anticipation. "Tell me, Mia, do you want this? Do you want me inside you?"

Her eyes flutter open, a mixture of passion and vulnerability in their depths. "Yes, Carlito. I want you. I want all of you."

With that, I thrust forward, filling her in one smooth motion. She gasps, her body adjusting to my invasion. I hold still, giving her a moment to acclimate to the sensation, but soon, her hips begin to move, urging me to continue.

I set a slow, torturous pace, withdrawing almost completely before slamming back into her, over and over. Each thrust elicits a chorus of moans and gasps from her, her body arching to meet mine, her nails digging into my shoulders.

"Harder, Carlito," she pleads, her voice hoarse with need. "Please, I want to feel you, all of you."

I oblige, my restraint shattering as I pound into her, my hips meeting hers with a force that sends the sofa creaking. Mia’scries fill the room, a symphony of pleasure that spurs me on. I want to brand her, to mark her as mine, and I know in this moment, I am doing just that.

Her climax nears, her body tenses, her inner walls clenching around me. "I’m close, Carlito! Oh God, I’m so close!"

"Let go, Mia," I urge, my voice hoarse. "Come for me. Show me how much you want this."

Her release hits her like a wave, her body convulsing around me, her nails digging into my back as she cries out my name. The sensation is enough to push me over the edge, and I thrust one final time, burying myself deep within her as my own orgasm claims me.

We lie there, entangled in each other’s arms, our hearts pounding in unison. I kiss her forehead, her cheeks, and finally, her lips, a tender contrast to the ferocity of our lovemaking.

"Mia," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "You are everything I never knew I needed. And I promise, I will spend the rest of my life showing you just how much you mean to me."

She smiles, her eyes heavy with contentment. "I believe you, Carlito. And I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us."

The room falls silent once more, the only sound our steady breathing. Mia’s eyes drift shut, her body relaxing into the cushions as she succumbs to sleep. I watch her, studying the peaceful expression on her face, the way her chest rises and falls in gentle rhythm.

The storm of emotions that shadowed her earlier has melted away, replaced by a calm that stirs something deep in me.

I brush a strand of hair away from her face, my fingers lingering for a moment longer than necessary. She shifts slightly but doesn’t wake, her trust in me evident even now.

It’s in this quiet, stolen moment that the weight of my choices presses down on me. Marrying Mia wasn’t just about status and strategy—it was about something I didn’t expect, something I’m still struggling to name. She’s changed everything, disrupted the carefully constructed life I’ve built.

I never planned for this. Never planned forher.

And yet, here she is, my wife.

I glance at her hand resting against the cushion, the platinum wedding band catching the light. It’s a symbol, a bond, but it’s also a promise I’ve made to protect her at all costs.

No matter what happens next, she’s mine to protect now.

Chapter 15

Mia

The golden light of mid-morning floods The Venetian Rooftop Terrace, warming the polished tiles and making the champagne glasses glint like diamonds. The hum of laughter and conversation blends with soft background music, creating an atmosphere of easy celebration.

It’s hard to believe that just hours ago, I was in the quiet cocoon of Carlito’s suite, my mind and body consumed by him. That world of intimacy feels distant now, replaced by the bustling energy of a rooftop filled with elegantly dressed guests and endless toasts.

Bianca finds me near the edge of the terrace, her emerald-green dress catching the sunlight as she practically skips toward me. “There you are, Mrs. Marcelli!” she exclaims, grabbing my hands with an exuberant smile. “You’re glowing. Married life already looks good on you.”

Her excitement is contagious, and despite the whirlwind still spinning in my mind, I can’t help but laugh. “I think I’m still trying to process it all,” I admit, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“Well, get used to it,” she teases, her grin widening. “I bet my dad’s already planning to whisk you off to some remote villa for the next week.”