Page 64 of Marsala and Magnolias

Mary Ellen turned over and smiled at him. “Good morning.”

He dropped a kiss on her lips. There was nothing good about it as far as he was concerned. He didn’t want to leave her. He wanted his brother to be okay. He closed his arms around her and hugged her to his chest. “Say you’ll stay here?”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t want to. It doesn’t feel right.”

“Okay.” He didn’t want to push her and make her uncomfortable. “Will you pop in sometimes and keep an eye on the place for me?”

“Of course.”

“Thanks.”

“Do you want me to make us some breakfast? You’re going to have to get up and get on the road soon.”

“I don’t need breakfast. I’d rather spend the time right here with you.”

She smiled and nuzzled her face into his neck. “I was hoping you might say that.”

He chuckled. “Only because you don’t want to cook.”

“Nope. It’s not because I don’t want to cook; it’s because I want to do something that rhymes with it.”

He rolled her onto her back. “And what might that be?”

“I think you know.”

“Mm-hmm. I think I do, but I want to hear you say it.”

“I want you to fuck me.”

His body came to life hearing her say it, but he shook his head. “Much as I’d like to, I have something else in mind.” He cupped her breast and loved the way she sighed.

“I’ll beg if you want me to.”

“I don’t.” He trailed his hand down over her stomach and slid it between her legs. She gasped as he began to stroke her. She was already hot and wet for him.

“What is it that you have in mind?” she asked as she began to rock her hips in time with his hand.

“I want to make love to you.”

“Oh.” She sighed as he positioned himself on top of her, spreading her legs wide to receive him.

His cock throbbed, eager to be inside her, but he moved slowly, resting at her entrance as he watched her face. Her hands came up around his ass, urging him on. But still, he moved slowly, pushing inside her an inch at a time, until he couldn’t resist, and he thrust hard, making them both moan. This time was different. He kissed her as their bodies moved together. She held his face between her hands as she lifted her hips to meet each thrust. It was a slow burn, long drawn out exquisite torture as he brought them both to the edge of orgasm, then backed off the pace, wanting to make it last. He could feel the beads of sweat on his shoulders and see them in her hairline as they drove each other crazy. She tightened around him as he pulsated inside her. The tension was building so hard, but he wanted to make this last. He wanted her to feel and to know that this was love.

She tensed and clenched around him. “Antonio!” she gasped as her orgasm took her.

It took him too, the fire in his belly tore through him in a heat-wave that ignited every cell of his body. They moved together frantically, their bodies becoming one. He never wanted the moment to end, but of course, it did. Eventually they lay spent in each other’s arms. He rolled off her and hugged her to him, peppering the top of her head with kisses.

“I love you, Antonio.”

His eyes filled with tears hearing her say it. “I love you, Mary Ellen. This is just the beginning.”

Chapter Eighteen

“Cheer up,” said Chelsea. “You should be happy that you get a night out with the girls. That overbearing Italian cousin of mine has been hogging you since you started dating him.

Mary Ellen made a face. “Sorry. You know I’m happy to be here.”

“You could have fooled me,” said Molly as she set a Margarita down in front of her and a Cosmo in front of Chelsea. “You look lost and lonely, and believe me, I know how you feel.”

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