She looked away when she couldn’t handle the desire in my eyes. “Yes.” She opened the door.
I swallowed the disappointment, fought the demon living inside me. Sitting across from her over dinner was torture because I wanted her so much, wanted to fist that hair and take her roughly. I wanted those hot, passionate nights, when she grabbed me by the front of the shirt and kissed me deeply. I didn’t want any more cheap one-night stands. I didn’t want a stranger in my bed.
I wanted the woman I loved.
If only I could tell her that. If I did, it would just chase her off again.
I was committing myself to the torture the gypsy promised me, but I’d rather be tortured every day with her than be miserable without her.
She stepped inside and shut the door.
Just when I turned away, it opened again.
“Hades, please come inside.” Maria grabbed my arm and ushered me into the entryway. “Please excuse my daughter. I raised her to have better manners, but she never listens to anything I say.”
Sofia stood with her arms over her chest, visibly annoyed by her mother’s intervention.
“She does,” I said. “She’s just stubborn.” I kissed Maria on the cheek. “How are you holding up, Maria?”
“I’ve been better,” she said with a sigh. “But I’m thrilled by this gorgeous ring you gave Sofia.” She grabbed her daughter’s left hand and examined the diamonds. “Perfect clarity…and the perfect size for her slender hand.”
Sofia kept up her attitude.
Maria turned back to me. “I spoke with the manager of the hotel, and the ballroom is free in two weeks. How do you feel about getting married on such short notice?”
“Two weeks?” Sofia asked incredulously. “That’s way too soon—”
“I’d marry her tomorrow if there was availability.” I looked at Sofia as I said those words. She would be mine soon, whether it was in a few weeks or a couple months. I already owned her in so many ways.
“That’s so sweet,” Maria said. “So, we’ll do two weeks.”
“How am I going to get a dress by then?” Sofia asked. “Or drop a few pounds?”
I couldn’t control the chuckle that escaped my lips. She really had no idea just how perfect every damn curve was.
“I can get any designer you want to create your dress,” Maria said. “I’ve already talked to the florist and the caterer. We can pull this together with no hiccups at all. It’ll still be the wedding of the year.”
The sooner I married her, the sooner I could peel off her dress and fuck her.
Jesus Christ, I couldn’t wait. A thrill ran down my spine just thinking about it.
Sofia looked horrified. “This is happening too fast. I literally just got my ring today.”
“Because you wanted one,” I reminded her. “The sooner you’re my wife, the sooner you’ll get to run that hotel exactly how you want. The sooner we’ll get everything we want. This is a good thing.”
Maria turned to Sofia. “He’s right. We’ll get to work on your dress tomorrow.”
Sofia stopped arguing, but she ran her hand down her cheek as she struggled in silence.
I turned to her mother. “Sofia and I agreed to live together at my place in the city. I would love it if you accompanied us. The entire second floor is unused, and my staff are the best.”
“Wow…that’s such a generous offer.” Maria rested her hand against her chest, genuinely surprised I would extend that invitation. She glanced at her daughter then turned back to me. “I’d love to, but you two should have some privacy, especially as newlyweds.”
We would be doing a lot of fucking. “I insist.” Of course I didn’t want my mother-in-law in the house. I was marrying Sofia—and that was the only part of the package I wanted. Now I had another person to be responsible for. But since it was important to Sofia, who was important to me, I caved.
And she said I didn’t compromise…
“Well, then I would love to,” Maria said. “It’ll be nice to see my daughter often and be there for my grandchildren. That’s very kind of you, Hades. I’m so glad my daughter chose a good husband.”
I looked at Sofia, an arrogant grin on my face.
She refused to look at me.
She could look away all she wanted, but when she was my wife, she’d look me in the eye every night I fucked her.
“I should get going. It was nice to see you.” I kissed Maria on the cheek then turned to the door.
“Sofia, aren’t you going to walk your fiancé out?” Maria asked, audibly embarrassed by her daughter’s coldness.
Sofia was so stubborn, she still refused to look at me. “He’s a strong man, Mama. He doesn’t need me.”
Maria brushed off the tension and walked me outside. “I’m sorry about her. She’s just—”
“Don’t apologize. I like her exactly how she is.” I gave her a gentle pat on the arm.