Page 118 of The Sound in Silence

“Good. I’m so glad it was you I shackled myself to.”

It’s meant as a joke, but he’s completely serious when he replies, “Me too, Ariella. Me fucking too.” He kisses me again and this time, my core clenches, my body bending backwards, pushing my breasts into his chest. He’s sparking a craving that even the death and violence of the day hasn’t quelled. “I never meant to fall in love with my wife,sirena, but you taught me how. I love you, Ariella.”

My heart soars, his declaration wiping away every ounce of darkness inside me. Every previous instance since the second he placed his ring on my finger. “That’s the first time you’ve said those words to me.”

With a downturned expression, he shakes his head. “Remember a while ago, I told you I needed to be taught how to be a husband? This is a prime example because I’ve loved you for a while now. I’m just a moron who’s never told you.”

“But you’re my moron, so it’s okay,” I tease, pressing my hand over his heart, feeling the gentle thumping—mythumping. The heart that now beats for me. “Besides, I’ve felt your love and that’s all that matters. Actions speak louder than words, haven’t you heard?”

“Not until I met you. From the very first time I met you, hiding in the Corsetti wing, you’ve proved how loud silence can be.” His eyes search mine, the same way he had that night. “Sirena, from then on, I was so taken with your silence, not understanding why at the time. Your eyes. This striking damn hair. It was a struggle to give Aurora an ounce of my attention through dinner when you were all I wanted to stare at. When I returned to New York, you continued to plague my mind, and I hated myself for it. You were the sister of Nico’s wife, related to my own would-be wife through marriage, and I had no right to think of you in any manner other than civil politeness. Butfuck,I couldn’t stop myself.” His lips trail the corner of my mouth, his smile imprinting on mine. “Couldn’t help being obsessed with you. When Nico told me you volunteered for the union, I was thrilled because the redheadedsirenainvading my mind for weeks would be all mine.”

After his speech, after my heart’s been ripped to shreds and taped back together, I tell him two words only: “All yours.”

He kisses me again and I lean against the hood, fond memories of this very car in the middle of a rainstorm. Logically, I know this isn’t the place, but fuck, I want it to be.

“Hey, lovebirds!” Clearly, Caladin thinks otherwise. “Maybedon’tfuck ten feet away from dead bodies. Just a crazy idea.”

Erico lifts his head to peek over his shoulder, toward his cousin. “Maybedon’tcut into other people’s business. Just a crazy idea.” To me, he whispers, “He’s right. We should go home. Clean you up. Because then I plan on dirtying you up.”

Erico

Icarry her straight into the bathroom when we get home, depositing her first on the counter, and then switching on the shower so the water heats up. She allows me to strip her clothing, and I brush along her bottom lip, ending her smirk, before removing her pants.

“You laugh, but I’m gaining immense pleasure from this.”

“From undressing me?”

“From taking care of you.”

Once she’s naked, I study her body, paying special attention to her neck in the bright bathroom lighting. She claims to be fine, but I must see it for myself, to ease the protective instincts threatening more death, if she isn’t. There’s no bruises, no swelling, besides a tiny dot from where she was drugged, so she seems fine enough until I invite the doctor here tomorrow.

Besides, he’ll be explaining how the fuck my parents learned of her fertility results.

For now, I walk her straight into the glass-walled shower. Water crashes down on her, making her hair a deep red, and she laughs. “I also think you enjoy carrying me.”

“All part of taking care of you. But for now—” I lower her to her feet, and once she’s steady, grab soap and a loofah and begin washing, “turn around.”

She does and I slowly wash her back, dropping to my knees in front of her as I wipe over the globes of her ass, her legs, her feet. She groans, her head falling back. Sex and freedom in her every motion, and it’s a beautiful sight.

“Turn.”

She obeys, placing that pretty pussy right in line with my face. I’ll return to that soon, but first, I wash her front, over her stomach, chest, and breasts.

“Never thought I’d enjoy the sight of a man on his knees for me.” Her wicked as sin grin promises so much more.

“Yeah?”

She strokes her fingers down the side of my face, tenderly, and praises, “Mhm. You look really good down there. I could get used to it.”

Abandoning the loofah, I trail my fingers up the back of her legs and lift my face back to her pussy, so when I speak, my breath blows over her cunt. “Then I say, get used to it, and tell me how I can serve my wife from my knees.”

She stills in hesitation, but after a single breath, the air in the shower changes. Electrified with her power. With a control I don’t think she even realizes she has.

But fuck, this woman haseveryounce of domination over me.

Her fingers drag down my cheek toward my jaw and she grasps a firm hold, tipping my head up to look at her, and my cock immediately jumps to attention. She’s everything like this and I will be whatever she needs. Her thumb drags over my bottom lip andfuck me. She bends, pressing a single kiss to my lips. It’s our most chaste kiss, and yet, I’m on the edge of panting for more.

“You missed a spot when you were washing me.”

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