Page 51 of Bartered Innocence

Any other time I’d rolled my eyes at the whispered confession, but I can practically feel his conviction. He kisses me in the next second, slow and sultry, and I kiss him back. This part is easy with Rian, our physical chemistry could never be denied. It’s everything else that messes with my mind. My hands push at his chest slightly so he pulls back.

“Are you mad at me from earlier?” It’s been driving me insane that he hasn’t said anything.

“Furious,” he replies, chasing my lips as I lean my head back again.

I moan, arching against him as his fingers continue to play with me. “Are you going to punish me?”

“Do you want to be punished?” The wicked intent behind his question can’t be mistaken, and I shiver.

“Will it hurt?”

He nips at my neck. “I’d never hurt you, baby.”

“I thought you would be more mad.”

Rian moves onto his knees, pulling my shorts off with a quick yank and then settling his broad shoulders between my thighs. My jaw drops as his thumbs press me open, and he leans forward, taking a sharp inhale through his nose.

“Did you know that some men can smell when their women are ovulating?”

My pussy clenches and I lick my lips. “Something about pheromones.”

“Yeah, something like that. I’m going to put a baby in you tonight,” he groans. He presses my legs into the mattress, opening me further for him. “And I’ve told you before, those men are my brothers. I trust them with your life and mine.” I assume he means I’m free to speak my mind in front of them.

He licks up my center before I can reply. My eyes pinch shut at the pleasure as Rian licks and sucks on my pussy as if it’s the best thing he’s ever tasted and can’t get enough.

“Is that my punishment?” I breathe out when he kisses up my stomach. “Impregnating me?”

He pauses. “Do you consider it a bad thing to have my children?”

A stab in my heart has me shaking my head. “No, I—just. I don’t know, I thought you would be more mad.”

“It was a little childish, but I assume you’re not used to being told something without explanation. Your father and brother spoiled you.” He climbs over my body after shoving off his pants, resting his hips between my thighs. “Sometimes you just have to accept the answer because there is no explanation I can give you. That perhaps…you are not owed an explanation.”

My earlier anger flares but only a small gasp escapes my mouth when he pushes into me. His fingers grab my waist and his face twists in pained pleasure as he surges forward.

“You are free to act how you want inourhome, Isabelle. You are mywife.” Rian’s hoarse voice is accompanied with another thrust and he’s sheathed completely inside me. “I said I want you happy, but some things we’ll have to compromise on. I’ll never take you away from your passion, but you are no longer the simple daughter of a low-ranking businessman.”

I dig my nails into his shoulders because I understand everything he’s saying, but I don’t like it at the same time. The same reason no one bothered me before still stands even after my name has changed, because my father’s restaurant is nestled in the heart of the Famiglia’s territory. No one would dare attack me to get back at Rian without risking him and Luca retaliating.

But also…I am surprised how much I enjoyed cooking with Deirdre tonight. It reminds me of a time when I wasn’t pressured to be the very best, to get it right the first time. It reminds me…of cooking with my mama before she was too busy to cook for us anymore. What’s the point of cooking a meal when no one is coming home to eat it?

“Where’d you go?” Rian’s soft voice breaks my thoughts and I focus back on his face.

“I’m sorry for dumping the food on you,” I whisper.

He shakes his head, dismissing the apology we’ve already gone over. His slow, steady strokes pause and he stares down at me. “You like me inside you?”

A flush works up my neck. “I—yes.”

Rian pulls out and thrusts forward with a sharp roll of his hips. “Yeah, you do. And you want me to fill you with my cum, don’t you?”

I gasp, arching to meet his thrust, and nod.

He clicks his tongue. “Say it, Isabelle. Where do you want my cum?”

Swallowing to coat my drying throat, I dig my nails into his arms. We’ve never been very vocal while we fuck, so I’m struggling to speak. “Inside me, please.”

He leans over me, his palms pushing into the mattress by my head. “You want my babies, don’t you?”

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