Page 65 of Immoral

Relief floods me. I kiss her with everything I have, slide my erection faster against her, and hold her tight against me as she loses all control. Our kisses muffle her moans until I move my lips to her ear, saying, "That's it, tesoro."

I do everything in my power to sustain her high, but when it's over, I do what I never do. Instead of repositioning her on the wall, I take off the restraints and pick her up.

She looks at me in question as I lay her on the bed.

I slide onto the mattress next to her and pull her into my arms.

"Gianni? Why—"

"Shh." I stroke her hair and kiss her on the forehead. "Catch your breath."

"The wall—"

"Will be here the rest of our lives. Tonight, I just want to make love to you in our bed."

Her body stiffens.

My heart races faster, and I realize it's the first time I've said "make love" instead of fuck. I scoot down and turn to face her. Tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear, I confess, "My bed is new, too. No other woman's been in it. No other woman ever will be."

A shock-filled expression lights up her face.

I cup her cheeks. "I've been a horrible man to you, tesoro. If I could do it all over again, I would. We'd have a dozen kids tearing this place up, and I'd have you knocked up again. But I can't go backward. We're married. I made a vow to you, and nothing—I meannothing—is going to break it."

New tears form in her eyes. She tries to stop them from overflowing, but it's useless.

I swipe at them, firmly stating, "We need to move forward. You and me. This is our fresh start. And I need you to forgive me.Reallyforgive me."

Her eyes dart to the side then back to me. "You always make promises, Gianni."

My gut spins so fast, I swallow bile down. "Yeah. I know. This time, and going forward, I'm keeping them. I need you to give me one last chance."

Her lips tremble. She blinks hard, and so many tears fall, it feels like a knife is shredding my heart. Not the black part but the part that makes me human.

"Tesoro. Please. Forgive me. Trust me again. Let me be the husband I always should have been for you," I plead.

I count to one hundred and ten, utilizing every ounce of patience I have, which has never been a lot. I finally can't stay quiet anymore. The realization that she might never give me another chance hits me hard. My throat thickens. I sniff hard, begging, "Please."

She shakes her head in tiny movements. My soul feels like it's dying. Her tears drip faster, and she states, "I shouldn't. You don't deserve it."

"I know. I—"

"This is it, Gianni. If you make me into your fool again, I will leave you. I will find a way to divorce you and disappear somewhere you'll never find me. Do you understand?"

Relief implodes inside me to the point I can barely breathe. I count to ten while nodding. "Yes."

Her voice grows stronger. She wipes her face. "Tell me again, Gianni. I want to hear you say it."

I kiss her on the lips and stroke my thumbs on her jawline. In my firmest tone, I vow, "It's you and me, tesoro. Forever. I will never do anything to dishonor you. I will never do anything to cause you to want to divorce me. I will spend the rest of our life doing two things—loving you and making up for lost time."

She takes a deep inhale, and more time passes as she stares at me. I panic she might not be able to give me what I want. She finally states, "Give me some time, Gianni. But I'll work on figuring out how to forgive you and trust you again."

It's not the instant result I wanted, but it's better than where we were.

When I don't say anything, she slides her hand in my hair, adding, "I'll get there, okay?"

I smile and pull her closer. "Fair enough, tesoro. Now, rest up. I plan on making you beg me some more."

She laughs, and everything in me lights up. I almost have her back, and for the first time since she returned to New York, I can see progress.

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