“I didn’t know we’d meet in my suite,” she said with a hint of disapproval. What a warm welcome.
“Are you going to let me in?”
She stepped aside. I gave Cesare a sign to wait outside before the rest of us walked into the suite. Matteo headed straight toward the redhead. As usual, he was attracted to the troublemaker. My eyes were once again drawn to Aria’s fucking hot body. Only a few more days and she’d be mine. I couldn’t wait.
“You shouldn’t be here alone with us. It’s not appropriate,” Gianna muttered.
Of course it wasn’t. That’s why there was supposed to be a guard in front of their door. “Where’s Umberto?”
Aria shrugged. “He’s probably on a toilet or cigarette break.”
“Does he often leave you without protection?”
“Oh, all the time,” Gianna said mockingly. “You see, Lily, Aria and I sneak out every weekend because we have a bet on who can pick up more guys.”
Matteo shot me a grin. I wasn’t sure how he could be in such a disgustingly good mood. If I had to spend any more time with the big-mouthed redhead, I’d lose my shit. “I want to have a word with you, Aria,” I said.
Gianna had to butt in again, of course. “I was joking, for god’s sake!” The brat actually tried to step between Aria and me. Thankfully, Matteo dragged her away. I really hoped the glint of fascination in his eyes was only that.
“Let go of me, or I’ll break your fingers,” Gianna growled. Matteo raised his hands with a wide grin. Those two were more than even the most patient saint could handle.
“Come on.” I turned to Aria and barely touched her lower back. She swallowed and tensed. Had she still not gotten over her fear of me? “Where’s your bedroom?”
No, she definitely hadn’t. I usually only saw that kind of look on the faces of my enemies after I got my hands on them. Aria pointed toward a door to our right and I nudged her in that direction, trying to ignore the way she trembled under my touch. It was starting to seriously annoy me.
Of course the bigmouth had the last word. “I’ll call our father! You can’t do that.” As if Scuderi would care.
We stepped into the bedroom and I closed the door before facing Aria, who was staring up at me with fear-widened eyes. “Gianna was joking. I haven’t even kissed anyone yet, I swear.” She blushed deliciously as she said it. That’s why she was so scared? I had to admit that hearing her confirm what I’d known made a possessive beast in my chest rear its head. “I know.”
Her fucking kissable lips parted in surprise. Damn it. I wanted to push her against the door and kiss her. “Oh. Then why are you angry?”
“Do I look angry to you?”
Her expression was like an open book. It would make things easier for me.
“You don’t know me very well.”
She shot me an indignant look. “That’s not my fault.” This was the first real sign of defiance from her, and I was fucking glad about it. I really couldn’t live with a terror-stricken wife. I wasn’t the most sensitive guy and would lose my patience pretty quickly if I had to tiptoe around Aria like she was breakable.
I took her chin between my thumb and forefinger. She stiffened, and defiance was replaced by worry. “You’re like a skittish doe in the clutches of a wolf. I’m not going to maul you.” I’d do many other things to her, but she’d enjoy them all.
She pressed her lips together, obviously not believing me. She looked fucking beautiful, and her skin was like velvet under my fingertips. Would every inch of her feel so soft? I leaned down to kiss her, wanting to know if she’d let me. Women had rarely refused me, but Aria wasn’t like them.
Her eyes grew wide. “What are you doing?”
Man, did she have to act as if I were a creep who’d trapped her in a dark alley? “I’m not going to take you, if that’s what you’re worried about. I can wait a few more days. I’ve waited three years, after all.”
Fury flickered across her pretty face, and I fucking loved the sight of it. “You called me a child last time.”
She remembered that? I let my eyes trail over her amazing body, then smirked. “But you aren’t a child anymore.” Damn it, I wanted her more than I’d ever wanted a woman, but the horrified glint in her eyes stopped my cock from getting any ideas. I moved even closer. “You’re making this really hard. I can’t kiss you if you look at me like that.”
“Then maybe I should give you that look on our wedding night,” the little vixen actually said. Two could play that game.
“Then maybe I’ll have to take you from behind so I don’t have to see it.”