Page 44 of Sin and Seduction

“Paolo, I want to thank you for not only your patience but your help with my family over the years. My father would be forever grateful for your loyalty. Oscar and I promise to carry this business to the best of our ability,” Dante says sincerely, his hand covering my silk-covered thigh and tightening around it.

“I owe it to your father, my boy. Just keep your head in the game and don’t add any more members to this family until we have everything sorted,” he says with a wink, and Gabriela scoffs as I choke on my champagne.

“I don’t think you have to worry about that with us anytime soon,” I say, and Dante squeezes my thigh again.

We’ve never really talked about having children. Especially with the shocking news of Gabriela’s pregnancy, it’s been the furthest thing from our minds. I must admit, I have always imagined a small family of my own one day, but ever since I fell in love with my husband and experienced his lifestyle, a baby seems scarier and out of my reach. Usually, this would bother me, but with Dante’s love and my dream of opening a restaurant, I have everything I need right now, and a child can wait.

“I think it’s time for toasts and the first dance of the bride and groom,” Camila says as she stands and orders us to follow her to the stage.

She grabs a microphone and orders everyone to raise their glasses.

“I thank you all for coming today. I know this wedding was short notice, but you’ve made this much more special by showing your support and being present. Dante, my baby. I have never been more proud and thankful to call you my son in my entire life. You have grown into an exceptional young man and have a heart of gold. I am so thankful to be your mother.” She raises her glass to him, and he kisses her cheek.

“Esmeralda, my new daughter. Your beauty and grace may be easy to see upon first meeting you, but your heart and your resilience are what make you not only a wonderful addition to this family but a beautiful woman to know, nonetheless. Thank you for your endless love and devotion to my son, and welcome to the family.” She hugs me tightly, and everyone cheers and toasts.

“Thank you,” I whisper, and she pats my hair and smiles at me as she pulls back.

“Now, please make room for the bride and groom’s first dance,” she says, and everyone sits at the tables surrounding the dancefloor.

Dante sets our glasses down and pulls me close as the orchestra plays a slow, beautiful melodic tune. He spins me around, and I can’t help but laugh when I get pulled back in and see his brilliant smile. He holds me close, and we sway together around the dancefloor. I feel everyone’s eyes on us, but all I can see is my beautiful husband’s eyes as he gazes at me sweetly.

“I have a surprise for you,” he says as he holds my hands and dances close with me in his arms.

“And what would that be?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at him.

“I guess you’ll see after we cut the cake and leave,” he replies with a wink.

“We’re leaving so soon? But all of our guests…”

“Will still be here drinking and mingling without us, trust me,” he says as he spins me once more before bending me back and pressing a long kiss to my lips as the music ends and the crowd cheers.

We cut the cake together, and I swoon over the delectable red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.

“Remind me to thank Javi for his masterpiece,” I say as I moan over the forkful of cake in my mouth.

Dante looks at my lips closely with dark eyes, making my legs shake in response.

“Are you ready to go now?” I whisper at him, and he nods immediately, making me laugh.

We say our goodbyes, and I change into a small, white silk, backless dress as Dante loads our luggage into the waiting limo. We kiss and hug his family and hop into the car holding hands. He pulls me close, and we sit like that the entire hour-long ride to our destination. He covers my eyes as he pulls me from the car and walks me a long distance.

“Let me look now!” I say over a laugh, and before I know it, he’s lifting me up and over his shoulder.“Keep your eyes closed.”

“Dante, my dress!” I say, trying to pull it down so that I don’t show anyone my goods as he carries me to God knows where.

“The only people who have the pleasure of seeing your delectable backside is your husband, mi ciela. Don’t cover yourself,” he says, and I let go immediately as his large hand palms my ass.

He sets me down on a hardwood floor and spins me around. As soon as I open my eyes, I am surrounded by blue light, and my jaw drops. We are in a large and lavish hotel room, however, the walls are anything but ordinary. They are, in fact, aquarium walls filled with various species of fish swimming around us. A large, king-sized bed sits in the middle of the room, and there is a bar in the far right corner. He pulls me by my hand to the bathroom, and I look at the double sink and large tub in the room that is surrounded by ocean walls and flooring. My heels click against the floor, and I look down at the fish that swim beneath me.

“Oh my god, Dante! It’s a stingray!” I say excitedly as a very large stingray swims aross the sink.

I walk up to the glass and place my hand on it, staring at the magical ocean that surrounds me with all of its colorful life. Dante walks and stands next to me, staring intently at me as I stare at the room in awe.

“Esmeralda Moreno, you are perhaps the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life,” he whispers, staring at me in awe and making me blush deeply.

I turn to him and place my hands over his chest. His hand covers mine, and I look at our wedding rings that twinkle in the blue ocean light.

“So, what are the plans for tonight?” I whisper to him as he bends to kiss my neck.

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