Cassio
“Things are going well with your wife, I take it?”
Glass half raised to my lips, I freeze, digesting my father’s question. He’s giving me one of his knowing looks, the kind of expression that tells me he already knows the answer to what he’s asking.
“We’ve become close,” I answer diplomatically, sipping the Italian rum I only keep on hand for family. Drinking alcohol isn’t something I typically enjoy, but I’ll do it sparingly with my father and brothers.
“I’m happy for you,” he replies, folding his hands on the counter.
Dad may be fifty-one now, but he’s aged incredibly well. He looks just like Apollo, just like everyone says, but has some faint wrinkles and gray speckling his dark hair.
“She seems to care deeply for you,” he adds, watching my face for any subtle reactions to his words. “Killing someone for disrespecting Isobel and Angel, though she never knew them… she is a good match, yes?”
Good is too weak a word.
Still, I agree. “Yes, she is.”
“And you care for her as well?”
“You know I do.”
Dad hums, hiding a smile. “Indeed. I see the way you look at her, Son. I did not think I would be able to witness you in love once more. Though… this love is different than before. New, but powerful, isn’t it?”
“You’d have a lucrative career as a psychic in another life, do you know that?” I drawl, setting my glass down. “She doesn’t even know yet, I haven’t said a word to you, and still you’ve got it all figured out.”
“I know my sons,” he explains simply.
“Thank you for coming so quickly,” I say, shifting the topic.
I’m not comfortable having my feelings for Ana dissected before I’ve explored and confessed them to her. I have no idea if she’s ready to receive that kind of information, and god forbid she overhears it.
“It was no trouble,” Dad tells me, a smile lifting the sides of his mouth. “Armani’s phone call was frantic and unexpected, but I’m glad he knew to come to me. My blood hasn’t been pumping so hard in the middle of the day since I found out your sister was pregnant.”
I huff through a chuckle. “Still an adrenaline junkie at your age? You’re playing with fire, old man.”
Dad scoffs. “Old man? I’m still in my prime, Son.”
He really is. Sometimes I think my age is wearing on me harder than his is, and he’s got over two decades on me.
“Anyway, you shouldn’t have any issues arising from this little incident,” he states, polishing off his drink. “Cameras have been wiped, witnesses have been spoken to, and the girl’s uncle has been threatened. His niece went “missing” on vacation and if he doesn’t want to join her, he’ll keep to that story.”
“Her body?”
“Cremated.”
Good. No body, no crime.
“And Ana’s other friends?”
“Shaken up a bit with shock, but smart enough to know not to say a word. I think they might be a bit scared of her now, but a little fear is good for the soul.”
“They weren’t very close anyway,” I inform him with a shrug. “Ana’s only true best friend is Jade, and Armani and Colton are certainly working their way up there. She isn’t quick to trust.”
“Except with you,” Dad remarks, smiling softly. “She’s taken to trusting you quite quickly, hasn’t she?”
Arching a brow, I reply, “You’ve never been so keen to gossip, Father.”
“I’ve never seen you so fulfilled before,” he tosses back.
His words send a surprised jolt to my gut.
“Never?”
“Never,” he agrees.
I blink, digesting his firm declaration.
“You were happy before, in love, even. But you’ve grown as a man, my son. Ana brings something out in you that I don’t think anyone—including you—expected. She’s good for you, and you’re good for her. A perfect match born from the ashes of disaster. It’s a bit poetic, honestly.”
Swallowing, I drop my gaze. “It’s still new.”
“Which means it will only continue to grow,” Dad warns. “Are you ready for that?”
Before I can answer, footsteps sound and within seconds, Ana and Apollo find us. Since she doesn’t look sad, I don’t have to punch my brother for upsetting her.
“Are you staying for dinner?” Ana asks the two men, taking the stool nearest mine. Apollo joins Dad on the other side of the counter but doesn’t pour himself a drink, answering Ana’s question without a word. If he’s not taking a glass, he’s not planning to stay.
“No, unfortunately, we need to get going,” Dad replies. “But don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything, okay? Cassio will give you our numbers. Check in once and a while, won’t you?”
“If you think it won’t be a bother,” Ana agrees hesitantly.
Dad gives her a patient look. “It’s never a bother to hear from one of my children.”
“You’re one of Dante Moretti’s daughters now,” Apollo adds, smirking. “Milk it for all its worth.”
Ana laughs awkwardly. “If you say so.”
“That’s the spirit.” Dad chuckles.
“Armani,” I call up the stairs, hands cupped around my mouth. “Come say goodbye to your father!”
“Coming!” Colton calls back, rushing down the stairs to beat Armani to it. He comes running into the room with a big goofy grin while my brother trails behind him, rolling his eyes.
“Father Dante, Son of Zeus,” he greets, using his preferred nicknames for the two men. “Are you going to miss me?”
“Not even a little bit,” Apollo replies dully.
Colton pouts. “Grumpy.”
“Don’t be too offended,” Armani drawls. “He won’t miss me either.”
Ana covers her mouth to hide a giggle.
After quick goodbyes and promises to keep in touch, they let themselves out. Armani and Colton are quick to follow when Ana says that she’s tired. They’ll go out for a bit or go upstairs since I’m home with her, but either way, I’m glad to have my wife all to myself for a little while. I like that she’s developing a friendship with them, but I’m greedy and haven’t had nearly enough time with her recently.
“I feel exhausted and wired at the same time,” Ana complains, climbing into her bed. She asked me to hold her so that she can attempt to nap, but I don’t know if she’ll be able to fall asleep.
Drawing her blinds to black out the room, I take a deep breath. Holding Ana has become more and more difficult as our connection has grown and my feelings have developed. And God, since kissing her… every time she’s in my arms now, I have to restrain myself. Especially when I can feel her soft skin under my hands, yearning to explore more of it.
When I round the bed, I wish I’d taken the time to change into something more comfortable. I’m still wearing my button down and slacks, but thinking quickly, I roll up my sleeves and remove my belt, making my clothes less restrictive. Ana watches me with rapt attention, eyes tracking my every movement, traces of hunger in her stare that I need to ignore.
She’s had a stressful day and she needs rest, she doesn’t need me thinking corrupt thoughts about her.
“Turn on your side,” I tell her, gently crawling into bed. “I’ll rub your back.”
“That sounds so nice,” she gushes, immediately flipping over to face the wall. Just as I’m about to reach forward, she blurts, “Wait!” Scrambling with her sweater, she tugs it off, tossing the ball of fabric off the bed, to reveal a tight little camisole.
Jesus fucking Christ. The white fabric barely covers anything, leaving the center of her back, her shoulders and her arms entirely bare. Ana keeps her braid lying around her neck so that her hair isn’t in the way, and sighs into her pillow, anticipating the soft caresses her back is about to be lavished with.
Starting with the back of my hand, I glide my knuckles up and down her spine slowly, listening to the soft breaths she releases every few seconds. Her skin pebbles under my touch and she wiggles back to get closer to my body. Give me strength.
“You’re so good at that,” she whispers, voice breathy and light.
Showing me her skin, lying so closely that I can feel her body heat, and now praising me in her sexy little accent? She’s trying to kill me.
“I’m glad you like it,” I husk, holding back any possibly inappropriate response.
“Can you do that here?” she asks, capturing my wrist and pulling my hand around to her front. I have to hold my breath as she slips my fingers under her shirt, showing me exactly what she’d like.
She wants me to run my knuckles up and down her stomach like I was doing with her spine. Definitely trying to kill me.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I do what she asks, almost groaning as she sighs happily. Her sweet little breaths are driving me insane, and somehow she’s positioned herself even closer to me. Her back is flush against my chest, and my only saving grace is that her ass hasn’t pushed back far enough to feel the obvious bulge expanding in my pants.
“Are you sleepy, Ana?” I whisper, continuing to caress her silky skin, fingertips occasionally teasing the band of her leggings.
“No, I’m too wound up I think,” she murmurs, turning over her shoulder to look at me. “Are you tired?”
“No.”
Leaning forward an inch, I capture her lips with mine. A keen sigh leaves her throat, muffling into our kiss. The sound parts her lips, and I use the opportunity to slip my tongue past them, groaning at the flood of her taste. Her tongue sweeps tentatively with mine, like she isn’t quite sure how to properly move. She hasn’t done this before, or she has limited experience. But no matter, I’ll show her everything she needs to know.
Time bleeds around us as we share long and passionate kisses, slow fucking each other’s mouths like a couple of eager teenagers. Rubbing her stomach quickly shifts into just her lower abdomen, toying more and more with the edge of her pants.
“Touch me,” Ana whimpers against my mouth.
“Fuck,” I growl, nipping her bottom lip. “You sure?”
“I’ll be so fucking cross with you if you stop now, Cassio,” she threatens, fingers reaching back to grab my thigh and squeeze.
There’s no way to deny her now. Not when we both want it so badly.
Slipping beneath the band over her leggings and her panties, my fingers glide over smooth, soaking wet flesh.
“Fuuuuck, baby. You’re drenched.”
Ana whimpers, eyes fluttering shut as I explore her sex, locating her sensitive little clit in seconds.
“These panties are fucking ruined, Ana,” I taunt, peppering her jaw with rough kisses, heading for her nape. “Is this all for me?”
“Yes,” she hisses, arching her back to give me access to her neck. “Cassio, I need… I need more.”
“Tell me what you want,” I demand, circling her clit hard.
“Inside,” she rushes out. “Please, I need you inside me.”
I don’t need to be told twice.
Dragging my fingertips down to her slit, my middle finger teases around the opening before pushing forward. Hot skin hugs the digit tight as Ana clenches around me.
“Goddamn, baby,” I groan, planting open-mouth kisses up the side of her throat. “You feel so fucking good.”
Pumping my finger in and out, I relish the way her mouth drops open and unfiltered moans of pleasure spill from her lips.
“Please,” she rasps. “Don’t stop, Cassio, I—”
“Don’t worry, my pretty little wife. I’ll give you exactly what you need.” Pressing forward, my cock grinds against her ass while I slowly work a second finger into her dripping wet cunt.
Ana whimpers and wiggles, her pussy constricting around me hard. She’s so wound up, and the temptation to flip her on her back and pound her into the mattress is growing stronger with every moan she releases.
“Shhh, relax for me, baby,” I encourage, rubbing her clit with my palm as my fingers plunge deeper. “I’ll take care of you, just breathe. Let me play with this sweet little pussy.”
She takes a deep and shaky breath, dropping her head back against my shoulder. My fingers curl up, dragging against the sensitive top wall.
“Cassio,” she moans, rolling her hips into the sensation. “God, Cassio—”
“Mmm,” I hum, breathing against the side of her throat. “That’s a good girl, my name has never sounded better… say it again.”
“Cassio,” she gasps, hand clasping around my forearm for support. She digs her nails into my flesh, but doesn’t try to pull away. She’s so responsive, my dick is fucking throbbing behind my zipper.
Thrusting my fingers rough and fast, I pull heartier moans from her throat. “You like that, Wife? Getting fucked nice and deep on my hand? Imagine how much deeper my cock will go, how much fucking harder it will be to keep those pretty little sounds you’re making under control.”
“I want that,” she pleads breathlessly. “Please?”
“Look at you being so polite,” I bite out, jaw flexing. She has no idea how much her words affect me. How badly I want to give her exactly what she’s asking for. “Come for me, and maybe you’ll earn it.”
My efforts pick up, leaving no room for her to reply. She babbles senselessly, a jumble of moans, begging, and the wet sounds of her arousal filling the room. It doesn’t take long before my increased speed sends Ana over the edge.
Her hot cunt clenches hard, pulsing around my fingers, and flooding my hand. Soon, her legs tremble and her climax peaks with a long drawn-out moan. I have to bite my lip to stop myself from breaking, watching and feeling her orgasm shatter through her.
Ana slumps heavily against me, trying to catch her breath as I withdraw my fingers. Unable to resist, I pull the digits between my lips and groan, sucking on her taste.
“So sweet,” I drawl, licking every drop.
“That was incredible,” she husks, heated eyes watching my every move.
“Good.”
