Page 27 of Arranged

“Which part?”

“The part about making sure your mom doesn’t dive off the deep end? What did you mean by that?”

“Well, as you know, my father was killed by the Cicariellos seven years ago, and after that, my mom lost who she was. After a while, she was able to fake it enough in front of the rest of the family, but never at home with me. She spent days in bed or on the couch, refusing to go out with friends or family, always giving a plausible excuse. I made sure our home was clean, I cooked every meal, food shopped, ran errands, paid our bills, and sometimes I even had to drag her out of bed to make sure she showered and changed her clothes. I finally got her to go see a therapist a few months ago and she’s now on medication, but she still has bad days. It’s not like a cure-all. It certainly hasn’t changed her negative view of me or gave her the ability to see how much I’ve done for her.”

“You missed out on your teenage years to take care of her. You’re an amazing daughter, Mia. Selfless and kind.” I can’t fault her mother for something she couldn’t control, but Jesus, did she not see that her daughter was putting her life on hold to take care of everything and her? Her young daughter who should’ve been worrying about school and her friends?

Mia doesn’t say anything. She keeps her gaze out on the water.

“I’m sorry, Mia.”

Her honey eyes find mine again and she gives me a sad smile. “Thank you.” She swallows hard. “And I’m sorry about your dad. I don’t know why you’d want to tie yourself to my family after what they did.”

“My dad did something stupid and paid the price.”

Surprise flashes through her eyes. “He’s still your dad.”

“He knew what would happen by going against Leo and aligning himself with that crazy motherfucker.”

“Who?”

“The Alexsanyan family. Albanians. Hovan wanted retaliation for your family killing his brother and all his men.”

“They’re the ones who shot up Giorgio’s.”

“Yes.” I nod. “Right after my dad and I left the lunch we had for me to meet Katarina for the first time.”

“Right,” she grumbles, and the slight pout of her lips makes me smile.

“No need to be jealous, my beautiful bride. I didn’t feel an ounce for her what I feel for you. That was a deal made between our fathers years prior to bring our families together.”

“Kat is beautiful.”

“She is,” I agree, and Mia’s pout grows. “But beauty doesn’t equal attraction. And baby…” I take her hand and bring it to my lips, placing gentle kisses across her knuckles. Her breath catches. “We both feel this. Don’t deny it. I’m a man who knows what he wants. I’m 34,farfalla. I’ve been with plenty of women and can say with absolute certainty that none of them hold a candle to you.”

“I’m not going to beg for you, Santino,” she says, lifting her chin defiantly. “I’ve never begged for anything in my life, and I don’t intend on begging a man who’s been with plenty of women and can get any woman he wants. In fact, I think it’ll beyoubeggingme, husband.”

Fuck. Me.

Her sassy, confident attitude is so fucking hot.

“Is that what you’d prefer?” I ask her, lowering my voice. “If I begged you right now to kiss me? Begged you to take my cock out and lick it from base to tip before sucking me into your hot wet mouth until I come down your throat and coat your insides with me like I’m marking my territory? You want me to beg youto lift your dress up and spread your legs so I can see how wet you are for me, and then beg you for a taste of your sweetness?”

Her throat works around a hard swallow and her lips part as her breathing accelerates.

“Because I can change the rules,farfalla. I’ll beg you for all of that, but then you’ll have to beg for my cock when you realize you need more than my mouth and fingers. You’ll feel an ache deep inside you that only my cock can reach when I’m stretching you and filling you as far and as much as you can take.” Mia’s eyes glaze over. “So, tell me, do you want me to change the rules?”

She nods her head without hesitation and I grin triumphantly.

“Then let me kiss you, Mia. I need to taste your sweet lips again like I need my next breath. I’ll go fucking mad if I don’t kiss you right now.”

Her lips tilt up in a sly little grin like this was her plan all along.

“Please,” I add, and her grin widens.

“Well, since you begged so nicely…”

I cup the side of her neck and run my thumb along her jawline, coaxing her to lean into my touch as her eyelids flutter closed. I slowly lean in, touching my forehead to hers and gliding my nose down the bridge of hers, loving the hitch in her breath as I tease her.

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