Page 23 of Reign of Hope

I can’t wait any long. I reach up and pull him down to me. He kisses me gently, carefully, but gentleness isn’t what I want, not this time. My fists grip his crisp white shirt. He groans softly, low in his throat, and then his arms circle around me as he deepens his kiss into an explosive melding of our mouths in a passionate embrace that I never want to end.

Suddenly, I’m swept into his arms, and Zano carries me toward the bed. He deposits me on my feet, then turns me, his hands at the back of my dress, his fingers at the zipper, slowly moving it downward, grazing my skin with his touch. The dress comes loose; my hands at my breasts hold it up.

The dress doesn’t allow for a bra, and once I let go, I’ll be in nothing but my tiny white lace panties. I let the material slide to the floor. The cool air of the room causes my nipples to pebble. But not for long, because Zano turns me to face him, and I watch as his shirt comes off. He unbuckles his belt, kicks off his shoes, then gives me the slightest shove so I fall back onto the bed. He strips down to his boxers. He’s magnificent. So beautiful, and I can’t believe he wants me.

He places a knee on the mattress, causing it to dip, then lies beside me, propped on one elbow so he can look down at me. “I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you at the restaurant. I can’t explain. No woman has ever had that effect on me. All I could think of was finding a way to keep you with me. We are together for eternity, cuoricina. Tell me you want this too.”

Without hesitation, I open my heart to him. “I want this. I want you.”

He shows his white teeth as his bright smile comes across his face. “Then we mark this as the first day of our new lives together. I’ve made you my wife in name, but tonight, I make you my wife in life.” His words penetrate. He is making a solemn vow to me.

“Tonight, I give all of myself to you, Zano,” I whisper, barely getting the words out before his mouth consumes mine.

FOURTEEN

Goodnight, Baby

ALLEGRA

He drives his tongue into my mouth, setting off a shattering moan that only seems to spur him on. Zano knows where and how to touch me, playing my body like a finely tuned instrument, making my moans and sighs sound like a glorious concerto—raw, intense noises of pleasure rip through me as he plunders my mouth with his tongue. My fingers etch into his hair, yanking and pulling him closer. I’m acting on pure instinct, knowing only that this isn’t enough, and I need more.

Zano wrenches his mouth away; I cry out in protest only to have his lips close around my nipple. He swirls his tongue around and around while his hand gently plays with the other. I bow my back, wanting to be closer, moaning his name over and over. His hands go to my waist, hooking his fingers into my panties, and dragging them down and off. If I had a moment to think, I believe shyness would take over, but there’s no time for that when I lose his mouth from my breasts, and he settles between my legs, spreading my legs wide open and finding a new place for his mouth to explore.

“Oh my God! You can’t. It’s—” I start.

“Stop me if you can,” he teases, then laps my center like he’s enjoying his meal. I don’t want to stop him. This feels too good. So good, in fact, that a burning ache grows inside me, consuming me. I don’t know how to quench my need. My body squirms beneath him, and I beg him for more, but more of what, I have no idea. “I’ll give you what you need, baby,” Zano says, his voice low and husky.

Zano slowly pushes his finger inside me. It feels odd, not painful, but strangely erotic. He moves it in and out several times, then one thrust, causing me to moan. He crooks his finger and hits me in a spot that has me arcing, quivering with passion. It feels like I’m climbing higher and higher until there’s nowhere else to go, then I find myself free-falling in a high-pitched orgasm. I shudder against him, my legs quaking.

* * *

Zano

When I finally slow my hand and look up at her, I see her hair is a wild tumble, and her face is glowing. I sit up, lean over her, and kiss her long and slow while aligning my engorged cock at her entrance. I wish I could spare her the pain, but knowing I cannot, I thrust inside her pussy. She moans, and her hands come up to push me away, but I hold steady. I release her mouth and see the tears in her eyes.

“Sorry, cuoricina. Don’t move. Give your body a moment to adjust,” I murmur, my lips touching hers. I continue to run my hands over her body, caressing her gently, willing her to relax. I kiss her eyelids and her trembling lips. Her hands that were warning me off are now gripping my arms. I desperately want to fuck her hard and fast, and my cock is twitching in her heated core. It takes all the strength I have to stay still.

My patience is rewarded when I feel Ally wriggle under me. “I think you can move now,” she says tentatively.

“We’ll go slow,” I respond, pulling out halfway, then moving back inside her. It’s not long before her body is moving in time with mine. I lift her ass, gripping it firmly, and suckle on her nipple. The groan that elicits tells me how much she enjoys it. I move from one breast to the other, lavishing them both with equal attention. Ally’s breath becomes ragged, her chest heaves, and her fingers dig into my arms. She’s close, but I’m closer. I slide my hand to her clit, and immediately, Ally soars.

I move faster and harder until I spill my seed inside her. I rest my forehead on hers, being careful not to crush her, then pull out gently. “Be right back,” I tell her, brushing my lips over hers. I grab a cloth from the bathroom, run it under warm water, clean myself up, then rinse it clean and take it back with me.

Ally is already snuggled on her side, but I move her carefully and wipe her clean, noting the small amount of blood on the cloth. It makes no sense in this day and age that it would make a difference if a bride is a virgin or not, yet I feel privileged that I’m Ally’s first and will be her only lover. I glance at her face, at the crimson red on her cheeks. I toss the cloth to the floor and lie beside her, gathering her in my arms.

“Are you doing okay?” I ask. I tried to be gentle, but I’m not known for my soft side, not even in bed. That’s mainly because I never went for women who I had to work for. Most women I met in clubs were after the same thing I wanted, a night of hard fucking and great orgasms.

“I’m fine,” she says in a quiet voice, then asks, “Did I do it right?”

I stop myself from laughing because I know she won’t understand what I mean. Instead, I lift her chin to meet my eyes, unable to hide my grin. “You were perfect. Go to sleep. You’ll need your rest. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to keep my hands off you.”

She smiles back, then lets loose a giggle.

“Good night, Zano.”

“Good night, baby.” I barely get the words out before her eyes droop shut. I allow myself the pleasure of watching her drift off before shutting my own eyes and falling into a blissful slumber.

FIFTEEN

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