Page 24 of The Devil's Demise

“Wow,” he whispers, cutting the rest of the space between us. He grabs my face within his strong hands, his eyes gleaming, and it’s not from the rays of sunlight bathing the sky. It’s from his love for me.

He leans his mouth to my ear, his breath tickling up my neck. “You’re the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my entire life.” His lips land softly under that spot beneath my earlobe. “I’m never gonna forget this moment for as long as I live.”

He backs away, unable to stop staring at me, and all I manage to do is stare back. “You’re my warmth on a cold day, and the strength when I’m at my weakest,” I say. “Without you, I’d never know what happiness is. I love you, Dante,” I pant, my own emotions swirling in my heart. “Your kindness is the most beautiful thing of all.” I circle a hand around the back of his neck, staring deep into his eyes before we realize, the place is pin-drop quiet.

With a fluster, I look around and everyone’s smiling at us. My cheeks flush and he squeezes my hand tighter. “It’s almost like no one else exists but you,” he tells me.

My stomach turns, my heart going along for the ride. Because it’s true. He’s my entire world.

“Looks like you two already said your vows.” Enzo quirks a brow as my eyes quickly flick to my left.

But Dante doesn’t even look at anyone else, his mouth winding up, his intense gaze holding mine. “I’ve said my vows from the moment I met her.”

I suck in a breath, my eyes watering over as everyone else gushes. This man and the way he loves me—it’s magical. It’s beautiful.

There is so much love around us, it’s palpable, an energy taking its own life. Love between husbands and wives, between lovers, a mother and child—for once, we’re all where we’re supposed to be.

How we feel in this moment is how I wish we’d feel for the rest of our lives, though I know that’s not realistic. Life sometimes does have a wicked sense of humor, but even still, I want us to remember how we feel right now and take it with us through the trials fate may throw our way.

When the officiant starts, our attention finally falls to her, and with our hands clasped, we marry one another once again, knowing our life is only just beginning.

CHAPTER3

RAQUEL

FIVE YEARS LATER

“Sweetheart,you’re about to pop that baby out any day now,” Dante says from beside me, grabbing a bag of grapes and throwing it into our shopping cart. “You should be home resting, with your feet up, not out food shopping with us.”

My lips thin into a tight smile and I arch a single brow at my sexy husband, who right now, is doing a great job at irritating a very uncomfortable me. “I need this son of yours to come out like right now, and the doc said to walk. A lot. So that’s what I’m trying to do.”

“What do those docs know anyway?” He wraps the small of my back with his strong arm and kisses me softly on my lips. “That kid is a Cavaleri, baby. He’s gonna come out when he feels like it.”

I scoff, pushing him away playfully, but he chuckles, tugging me to him once more. “Well, you better have a talk with our boy because he’s now two days past due and his mama is growing achy and crabby.”

“But still beautiful.” Dante leans that mouth close to my ear, our eyes on Carnelia as she grabs some raspberries and throws them into the cart. “Promise when we get home, I’m gonna run you a nice warm bath, and when she goes to bed, I’m gonna rub the shit out of your feet all damn night.”

A smile radiates my face as I let out a feathery sigh or maybe it was a moan that escaped me. “Did I mention, I’m obsessed with you?” I tell him, my head falling over his shoulder.

His laughter is warm and husky as he kisses the top of my head. “I love you too, sweetheart.” This man—he makes me so happy. So content.

In these past few years, he’s been the most amazing husband, especially recently as I navigated this rough pregnancy. Between the constant back issues and my blood pressure being higher than they liked, the doctors have kept a close eye on me this time around. And in the past couple of weeks, I haven’t been in any mood to have sex. This is the first time it happened in all the years we’ve been together. I was honestly nervous it’d ruin our marriage, but he’s been more than understanding. All he wants to do is take care of me. He cooks for me and gives the most amazing massages.

God, I miss him.

I hope my sex drive comes back after the baby. We never struggled this way with Carnelia. We made the time, even while her sleeping was far and few in between.

“You’re a great mom, baby.” He tugs me tighter. “That boy is going to love you as much as we do.”

“You’re a great dad too,” I whisper, swelling with an ache behind my eyes. “And the most attentive husband.” I lift my head, turning to him, my hand holding his cheek. “In all our time together, I’ve never regretted a moment with you. You’re everything I could want in a man, Dante. I’m lucky to have you.”

He clasps a rough palm to my nape, his gaze searing into mine with so much affection, I drown in it, forgetting where we are, even for those single moments.

Dante kisses me softly, and I melt into our love.

“Mommy?” Carnelia’s voice drifts from beside us.

Dante groans, reluctantly pulling away.

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