Page 114 of Tainted Obsession 1
“I want to have a family with you,” I confess, calmed by his steady presence. “Is that something you want too?"
“More than anything,” he rumbles. “We are already a family, but we will grow together. We can live in this villa and wake up to this view every morning with our children.”
He turns my body so that I face away from him, looking out over the infinity pool toward the Faraglioni rock formation where we kissed for luck. His big hand splays over my belly, cradling the place where our child will one day grow.
“If this feels like home, say the word, and it’s ours.”
I suck in a deep breath, drinking in the scent of the sea and the rich purple bougainvillea flowers that grow around the patio. It mingles with the scent of leather and amber.
“Yes,” I declare, peace settling over me. “This feels like home.”
He steps away, and I mourn the loss of his body heat for only a second before he drops to one knee before me. A small black jewelry box appears in his right hand, and he snaps it open to reveal a huge pear-shaped diamond solitaire ring. It matches the shape of my necklace perfectly.
“Be my wife, Evelyn.” He slides the ring on my finger before I can fully formulate my reply.
“Yes,” I gasp out. “I’m yours, Massimo.”
He surges to his feet and sweeps me up in a devastating kiss. This powerful, dangerous, protective man will be my husband, the father of our children. He’s my future. My everything.
He kisses me fiercely, a promise and a slight warning. I belong to him, and he will never let me go.
I open for him on a sigh. I’m exactly where I want to be.
Epilogue
Evelyn
One Month Later
“Massimo! We can’t go in there.” I gesture at the sign affixed to the chain link fence: it warns visitors to keep out.
He shoots me a wicked, devastating smile and pushes open the gate. “We can do whatever we want.”
I hesitate, torn between his nearly irresistible allure and my desire to follow the rules.
He holds out his hand, and I place mine in it automatically, trusting him.
“Don’t you want to take pictures?” He tempts me through the gate. “I thought you wanted new photos for your gallery opening next week.”
I bite my lip, desire for this perfect man warring with unease at breaking and entering somewhere I don’t belong.
He chuckles. “Don’t worry. You’re not breaking any rules,dolcezza.I asked a friend to put the sign there. We’ll have the whole place to ourselves.”
A light, slightly giddy laugh bubbles from my chest, and I kiss his smirking lips. His hand instantly cups my nape, trapping me so that he can deepen the kiss. My head tips back on a happy sigh, and his tongue tangles with mine, taming me in firm, domineering strokes.
Lust coils low in my belly, and my arms twine around his shoulders, anchoring me to him. He holds me for long minutes, indulging in our simmering chemistry. It’s just as potent today as was when we first touched: the night he saved me from the man who tried to roofie me at the dive bar in Mexico City.
That feels like a lifetime ago. I was a different person then, a shell of my true self. Massimo swept me up into his strong arms and helped me heal. I’m whole and happy because of the man I love.
After a while, he finally pulls away with a low rumble of regret.
“Later,” he murmurs, the promise meant for both of us. “I have plans for you today, my sweet girl. And they don’t include fucking you against this gate.” He tucks a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “You deserve far better.”
I’m so lost in him that I wouldn’t care if he claimed me in the middle of a crowded room, much less this semi-secluded spot. We’re only meters away from a bus route along the Amalfi coastline, barely hidden in the shade of the trees past the fence. The risk of being seen sends a thrill racing through me.
I take a breath and compose myself. If Massimo promises me pleasure later, I can wait. I’ll give him anything, obey any command. The strength of his will sets me free, and surrendering to his control brings me transcendent bliss.
Keeping my hand firmly clasped in his, Massimo leads me down slightly precarious concrete stairs that are cracked with age. He positions his hulking body to my right, ensuring his bulkprotects me from slipping past the rusted railing that provides the only barrier between us and a steep drop to the sea.
