Page 182 of A Second Dawn

When we’re both gasping for air, I slip the ring onto her finger and stare at in awe.

Ella stretches out her hand, admiring it. “It’s stunning,” she whispers.

“It belonged to my mother. She treasured it. Papa gave it to me over a decade ago and said I would recognize the woman this ring belongs to instantly. He was right.”

The tears that wouldn’t fall earlier are now streaming down her face, the balance tipped, her emotions bubbling over.

“They’re happy tears,” she assures me.

I believe her. I feel them too, pricking at my eyes.

Relief, joy, love, happiness… every positive emotion I can think of is flowing through me all at once.

Our circumstances and expectations of life couldn’t be more different, but the all-consuming love we have for each other, the passion, the comfort, the happiness that can only be found in each other’s arms, trumps everything.

We belong together. And we will be together until death do us part.

Now I just have to finalize my plans to leave la familia, find a celebrant and make it official.

My lips nip hers, my hands traveling up to her ribs until I reach the bottom of her breasts. My thumbs stroke her already erect nipples and they grow firmer under my touch. Just like the steel bar in my pants. Just that it didn’t need any touching. It’s not necessary… not with Ella in the room.

She arches into my hand as my lips glide over her jaw.

“Time to celebrate, angel,” I say as I scoop her up into my arms and carry her out of the bathroom, gently laying her down on the bed.

Going to the door, I flip the lock. No one is going to interrupt us tonight.

My eyes flit over her, spread out on the small bed, taking in every last inch of her naked glory. She’s by far the most beautiful woman I’ve ever been with.

Her body is already changing. Her breasts are bigger and far more sensitive than they’ve been before. I think I can make her come from playing and sucking on them alone. And I’m determined to find out. Possibly even tonight, because I have no intentions of entering her. With the scares of the past twenty-four hours, I’m not risking it.

But there are plenty of ways to give us both pleasure that doesn’t involve pumping more of my seeds into her, though I really, really want to. But Ella’s and the baby’s health are what matters tonight. My carnal desires will wait. We’ve got the rest of our lives.

“You’re wearing too many clothes,” she says, biting her lip.

I couldn’t agree more. Slowly, because I’ve got her rapt attention, I unbutton my shirt, her eyes following every single movement as it reveals more of my skin. Her breathing grows heavier, especially when I move my hands to the front of my pants, undoing the zipper. It rides uncomfortably against my thick erection.

My pants fall to the floor, my boxers follow. I step out of the pile of clothing and join my queen on the bed. Our lips collide. We kiss and devour each other.

Rubbing my nose against hers, I tell her breathlessly, “You’re mine now.”

She chuckles. “Haven’t I always been?”

“Yes,” I say. Because it’s the truth.

She’s always been mine, and she always will be.

Chapter Fifty-One

Gualtiero

Ella’shandmovesdownmy back and over my ass, sparking a trail of sizzling goosebumps wherever she touches. I hiss when her fingers trace over my hipbone to my front to grip my hardness tightly. Her touch is like heaven.

“Fuck, angel,” I groan, sucking on her earlobe.

That spot drives her crazy. And I haven’t lost my touch. Within seconds she’s writhing and arching against me.

Time to find out if my theory about her nipples holds. I tease her hardened peaks with my fingers as I pepper kisses down her neck and along her collarbone.

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