Aurora Achilles, my bride-to-be and cherished topolina, is the Achilles heir. This changes everything, no matter what she says.
Not between us. I believe her when she says she doesn’t want either mafia empire. She’s worked too hard for too many years to prove she doesn’t want it. Hell, she’s eighteen years old and already accomplished more than most men do in their entire lives, just so she and her brother could walk away from said empires.
Despite wanting to strip her of the blanket and shuck my pants off for a few hours of carnal fun, I carry her to the bathroom and stand her in the shower before stealing the quilt from her.
The pink-stained mess between her thighs sends perverse pleasure down my spine. Guilt rises, but when I unfasten my trousers, her green orbs sparkle with interest. I pull the material off my legs and stand naked before her for the first time. Masculine pride fills my soul as she swallows and studies me with hungry eyes.
She’s too perfect.
I turn on the shower, adjust the temperature and pressure, and pull her to me. She wraps her arms around my waist and lays the side of her face on my chest. When she shifts and wriggles closer, I realize she’s standing on her tiptoes to press her ear over my heart.
She’s an enigma. My enigma. Sweet, sassy, smart, and stubborn.
I grab the back of her thighs and lift her off her feet. She wraps her legs around my waist. Lust hardens my cock. Her nipples pebble against my abs.
Ready to sink into her tight body again yet needing her able to walk later today, I sit on the bench, lean back against the wall, and brace my feet apart. She squeaks and lifts her face. I cup the back of her head and brush my lips side to side over hers before teasing her into deepening the kiss herself. She moans and wiggles her hips, trapping my cock between us, while hooking her hands together behind my neck.
When I pull her back by her hair, she whines and rubs her breasts over me. I snarl against her lips.
“I know you’re sore, but I need you again, mia topolina, so I’ll let you set the pace this time.” I nip her swollen bottom lip. “Take what you need from me. Touch me. Hurt me for hurting you. My body is yours, so use it to ease the ache in your pussy.”
Her breath stutters. She leans back, testing my restraint, and looks down our bodies with fascinated eyes. Her nose wrinkles.
“We’re still gross.”
“Then wash us.”
Her pupils shrink. Expand. She nods her head and looks away just long enough to locate the soap, then meets my gaze.
Her silent demand has me on my feet before I tell my body to move. I grab the body soap, loofa, shampoo, and conditioner and drop them on the bench before sitting back down.
The wet glide of her body on mine pulls a groan from my chest.
I don’t know how long she teases us both, but I’ll never shower again without getting hard from remembering her hands on me as bubbles trail down her pert breasts. She tests my control with her innocent yet bold exploration of my body. I tell myself to take my hands off her and let her do as she wishes, but I need to touch her. Her sounds of pleasure and flushed cheeks as I grope her slim hips, narrow waist, thighs, and arms join my wet dream fodder. I find her hidden erogenous zones—avoiding her breasts and pussy—and enjoy her eager responses.
The hickeys on her throat and the dark purple bruise on her shoulder fill me with pride. I want her to carry my marks every day for the rest of her life.
Deciding the ones already on her body aren’t enough—especially since I did them under duress—I give her more when she leans forward and licks the well of my collarbone. She moans and grinds her slick pussy along the underside of my shaft.
“Are we clean now?” I ask.
My throaty voice echoes in the steam.
She nibbles on my Adam’s apple before responding.
“Not for long,” she promises.
When my cock jerks, she smirks and wraps her fist around my tip. I hiss and clutch her hips. Diabolical delight brightens her emerald orbs. She begins my unraveling with slow, measured strokes of her fist as she grabs my wrist and brings my hand to her face. With awe-inspiring confidence, she nips, licks, and sucks each centimeter of my hand, taking each finger into her mouth and swirling her tongue over me.
I never knew my calloused, tarnished hands held so many nerves, but as she worships and adores them, pearly white fluid leaks from my tip. When she rises onto her knees and angles my cock between her legs, I groan her name and drop my head back.
She demands I watch and rubs her clit with my dick.
I’m powerless. I can’t resist. She claims every ounce of my attention as she slowly, slowly works me into her body. About halfway down my shaft, her thighs tremble and uncertainty flashes in her eyes.
“Did you really fit before?”
I chuckle.
“Yes. You took every inch.”
“No wonder I’m so sore. Maybe this is enough this time?”
Every muscle in my body bunches in rebellion, but I offered her control. I can’t take it from her.
“Rub your clit, mia topolina. Lean forward and let me lick your breasts. We’ll see what you think then.”
When she follows my suggestion, I fall even more in love with her. She’s truly too perfect.
I struggle to hold back my release as I fill my mouth with her breast and leave a few marks for my pleasure as she works herself up to a glorious orgasm. With every inch of me buried in her pussy, she squeezes me from root to base. I lose control, pull my wrist from her grip, grab her hips, and lift her halfway off my shaft.
Bracing my heels for better leverage, I surge up into her over and over again until her entire body contracts in a much stronger orgasm. Her flushed breasts and expression of euphoria tip me over the edge. I release deep inside her body in epic waves until my head spins and my bones feel hollow.
She slumps against me and wraps her arms around my nape. I stroke my digits up and down her spine until the sensitivity in my cock lessens enough to leave her tight, swollen sheath. Her quiet moan as I pull out echoes in my mind.
I give us both a quick clean before turning off the water and wrapping her in a towel. Her lopsided grin is too fucking cute, so I sneak a taste of her mouth and help her wrap her hair in a second towel before grabbing my own and securing it around my waist.
I lead her to the double sink and vanity and wrap my arms around her from behind. Our reflection steals my breath. She’s so tiny compared to me.
“I didn’t know what products you use, so I bought the best brands. Whatever you don’t want, we can get rid of and go shopping for whatever you like.”
“By best, do you mean most expensive? Porca miseria, Giorgio, this is… too much.”
“Nothing is too much if it’s for you.”
She sighs and leans her head back against my chest.
“I’m tired,” she murmurs.
I check the clock on the vanity and kiss her temple before guiding her to her sink.
“You can take a nap after you get ready.”
“Ready for what?”
“We’re going out. No questions. Just dry your hair and pick a comfortable outfit from the closet. I’ll take care of everything.”
When she nods and scans the counter with a slow blink, I elect to keep my hands off her for a while so she can recover, so I busy myself with getting dressed, but when she emerges from the closet in the flowy dress with shoulder cutouts, I can’t resist. I kiss her exposed flesh and rub her arms as I guide her to the bed.
After a few halfhearted complaints, she lets me tuck her under the sheet and walk away before I give in to temptation and join her. The sight of her in my bed feels so right I almost slide in next to her, but if my headstrong woman insists on returning to her familial home—which she will, no matter what I say, then we can’t spend the entire day wrapped up in each other like I crave.
I leave the bedroom door open and plod through the house on bare feet, enjoying the cool wood floors on my soles. After an extended moment of studying the counter and remembering the slow unveiling of Aurora’s flesh, I tuck the memories into my spank bank and start a pot of coffee. Before my mind envisions all the ways I can savor mia topolina throughout the kitchen, I lean against the fridge and pull out my phone.
Several minutes later, with research completed and a plan solidified, I send Fiero a few texts before stalking out to the garage.
We left every door open between the kitchen and the vehicle—including the driver’s door—and Aurora’s lacy black panties hang off the edge of the seat. I pocket the scrap of material and give the inside of the car a quick wipe down before closing up and heading inside.
With a cup of coffee in each hand, I ascend the stairs and set one on the bedside table before retreating to the corner chair to watch her sleep.
Thirty minutes later, I wake Aurora and offer her the coffee. She shakes her head and pushes it away with an adorable scowl.
“I can’t drink coffee or tea,” she says.
My senses sharpen at her use of the word can’t instead of don’t, but her mussed hair and sleepy eyes steal my attention. She looks too kissable and soft in her disheveled and slightly confused state. I fight the urge to pin her to the bed and have my way with her.
Guilt clears my thoughts as she rubs her face with her hands in obvious exhaustion.
“How about some orange juice?” I ask.
She grimaces and rubs her temple before nodding and murmuring a polite, “Yes, please.”
“Do you have a headache?”
She shrugs.
“I don’t think so? Just tired and maybe a little dizzy.”
I drop to my knees beside the bed and push her hair back so I can study her face. The pallor of her skin worries me.
“What can I get you?”
She blinks and trails her fingers over my face as though she needs to confirm I’m actually beside her.
“Orange juice sounds good,” she whispers.
It’s too much. I steal a quick kiss before forcing myself toward the door.
“Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
The sheets rustle. I turn as she swings her feet to the floor. As I open my mouth to admonish her, she pushes off the bed and stands, only to crumple like an accordion.
I dart across the room and catch her before she hits the floor. Terror and adrenaline flood my veins as I gather her limp frame into a cradle hold and sit on the bed.
She jerks awake and tries to sit up, but I snarl and tighten my arms around her.
“Be still, mia topolina, and let me hold you for a minute.”
After getting her bearings, she sighs and leans against me. I study her for a few minutes as my panic slowly recedes.
She’s not a scrawny preteen anymore, but having her flop around in my arms triggered memories of the day she passed out in front of me.
“I’m okay. I just stood up too fast.”
“Does this happen often?”
“No, but can you blame me for needing a system reboot after what you did to me?”
The cheeky mirth shining from her eyes assures me she isn’t on death’s doorstep, but she’s still too pale for my liking.
“I need to pee. Like, now,” she insists.
I carry her into the bathroom and wait outside the water closet before scooping her up again.
“Really, I’m fine. I’ll feel better after that juice you offered.”
I hum a noncommittal response and take her to the kitchen. Her blush as I set her on the counter erases her pallor, and after she drinks a glass of orange juice, she seems back to normal.
But when I move her to the couch—refusing to let her feet touch the ground along the way—and make a quick trip to the bedroom for socks, she’s half asleep when I return. She wakes and offers me a rueful smile as I strap a new pair of sandals onto her feet.
“How did you know my sizes?” she asks.
I kiss her ankle and trail my fingertips up her legs as I stand.
“Our mothers. Whatever they’re scheming, at least it’s thorough.”
The front door opens and Fiero calls out, wisely making noise and announcing his presence long before stepping into the foyer.
I stop Aurora from standing and join her on the couch before responding to Fiero. He stalks in, takes the situation in with a glance, and sits in the armchair catty corner to us.
A profound sense of rightness settles over me as I introduce them.
“Aurora, this is Fiero Capito, my future consigliere. Fiero, meet Aurora Achilles, my fiancée.”
As much as I love my sisters and Tristan, these are the two most important people in my life. I’ll spend more time with them than anyone else in the world.
Fiero scowls as he leans forward and props his elbows on his knees.
“I told you, I’m not consigliere material.”
Before I can correct him, Aurora beats me to it.
“And I’m not wife material, yet here I am. Grow some balls and accept the position already, would you? He won’t take no for an answer, and you know it.”
After a moment of stunned silence, Fiero smiles and sits back.
“I knew I was going to like you, boss lady. It’s good to see someone besides me is on this mongrel’s side.”
I toss the car keys at him before he can piss me off any further.
“We can chat in the car. I already ordered takeout to eat as we drive, so let’s go.”
Fiero catches the fob and shakes his head as he stands.
“I’m not a chauffeur, either.”
“You weren’t a chauffeur,” Aurora chuckles before gasping and clinging to me when I grab her and stand.
Fiero takes one glance at us and accepts his fate without another word, turning toward the garage. He leaves every door open behind him as he leads the way to the vehicle. After shutting the car door behind me, he goes back into the house to close everything down before dropping into the driver’s seat and adjusting the controls. He’s a big man, but my shoulders are broader, so he doesn’t need to adjust much before backing out of the garage.
When he whips out into traffic, I consider admonishing him for trying to kill us, but Aurora’s head settles on my arm. I take her hand and trace her delicate digits with mine.
Fiero pulls up to the restaurant and accepts our food. Aurora rouses at the smell and hums in delight as she digs in.
Despite the mirth shining in his eyes through the rearview mirror, Fiero doesn’t make a suggestive comment about me working her too hard. When I pass him a burger, surprise flashes over his features, but he accepts.
After we all take a few bites, I nudge Aurora’s shoulder. She looks up and smiles.
“This is so good. I didn’t even realize I was hungry. Thank you.”
I shamelessly lick a crumb from the corner of her mouth before righting myself and hooking my arm over her shoulders.
“Tell Fiero what you told me about your brother, mia topolina,” I demand.
She chokes in surprise and downs half her water before scowling at my ploy.
Yes, I made sure she had delicious food—in a secure location with no prying eyes or ears—before throwing my demand at her.
Fiero’s expression turns to stone as he processes the news. I appreciate his quick mind as he analyzes the situation before meeting my stare in the mirror.
“So what’s the plan, boss?”
“Later. Right now, we’re sharing info. You’re next, consigliere. What’s the latest with Nico Russo?”
“They tried to hack into your sister’s tablet, but he got an anonymous tip and stopped it from happening.”
I meet Aurora’s wide eyes. She drops her hand to my thigh and furiously chews and swallows so she can answer my silent accusation.
“Yes, it was me. I sent the anonymous tip. I’m sorry I hid it from you, but I didn’t really know you yet, and I just needed to protect your sister. I didn’t mean to dig further, but—”
“What do you mean, further?”
I can’t hide the anger in my tone.
She looks around the car as though she might find an escape before squaring her dainty shoulders and meeting my stare head on.
“I traced the malware back to the creator and sent every computer IP, phone number, and GPS location involved to Nico’s assistant.”
Fiero laughs.
“You didn’t send it. You changed his desktop background. He logged on and nearly shit himself. She’s a fucking genius, boss.”
I harden my expression despite her mask of innocence.
“Since when did computer science equate to hacking?” I ask.
“Since… now?” she counteracts.
Fiero laughs harder, making me fear for our safety, but he avoids an overzealous cabbie and weaves through the traffic with ease.
“I swear, the two of you were made for each other. Boss, you better put a ring on her before she realizes she’s too good for you.”
I shift my hand into Aurora’s hair and pull her to me for a kiss. She balks, murmuring something about burger breath, but I don’t give a shit.
I’ll do more than put a ring on her finger.
I’m marrying Aurora Achilles.
Today.
