Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 144979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Lucia is Nyx in a high-drama black gown with moody floral undertones. And Gabi, who’s known to have the most romantic style of the group, is Aphrodite. For Natalia’s first ball, we found the perfect gown that harnessed the phoenix-like qualities of the goddess Kali.
As for me, tonight I’m dressed as Isis—wearing a flowy, multi-layered chiffon dress in iridescent white with shimmering metallic accents. It has a sculpted bodice and a sheer cape at the back that integrates a set of gold falcon wings that expand from my shoulder blades—a nod to the majesty of my chosen goddess.
“Abella, you look like an angel,” Gabi tells me. “Angelo’s going to maul you the second he sees you.”
“I think you may be right.”
I follow the sound of that smooth, velvety voice and find Angelo leaning against the wall next to the staircase. He’s looking sinfully hot in his Hades-inspired suit. It’s a rich, matte black wool with a deep crimson waistcoat and a black satin tie.
I hope Gabi’s right, because I want him to maul me—even if it means undoing all the work of the last four hours.
“I need to borrow my wife,” he tells the girls.
“You’d better do what he says.” Gabi stares at him, star struck. “Then report back to us.”
Angelo smirks as I join him, clearly amused by my cousin. With his palm on my lower back, he guides me down the hall to the primary suite.
The moment he closes the door behind us, he turns me around and pins me against it.
“Cara,” he growls, his hands rough as they grip my waist. “How hard is it going to be to put you back together if I fuck you right now?”
“Not hard enough to make me care,” I breathe.
It’s been well over two weeks, and we’re both dying for it. He could rip the dress in half, and I wouldn’t mind.
I also accounted for this possibility, which is why I didn’t bother with shapewear. All I have on beneath the dress is a thong and bustier. When Angelo bunches the fabric around my waist and his palm grazes my bare ass, he discovers that for himself.
“Mia regina,” he murmurs. “So fucking beautiful.”
I melt at the sound of his throaty declaration. Even after all the lies, secrecy, and perceived betrayal, he still calls me his queen.
An unexpected surge of emotion cracks me open, spilling out in a vulnerable confession.
“I’ve missed this,” I whisper. “I’ve missed you.”
He pauses his exploration, fingers biting into my skin. I don’t know how he’ll react, so when he kisses his way up my neck and brushes his lips against my ear, I can’t help but shiver.
“Me too.”
He slips his hand beneath my thong and sinks two fingers inside me. I was expecting him to take me hard after so much tension has built up between us, but instead, he sets a softer pace—like he has all the time in the world to stay right here and do exactly this.
Even so, it isn’t long before I’m coming, biting my lip to hold back my pleasure. Angelo groans out his approval, drawing it out for as long as he can before he pulls his wet fingers out of me.
He slides my palms up and braces them against the door. Then he buries his cock inside me, grabs my hips, and fucks me until he comes. There’s something different about it this time, and I can’t place exactly what it is. Maybe it’s in the way he’s touching me, but it feels like something has shifted between us.
It feels…softer.
Then his palm settles against my midsection, fingers pressing into me, and I’m reminded of what he’s probably thinking about right now. How much he wants it. How much he needs it…for his family’s survival. And then I remember what’s waiting in my bag for him.
When he turns me to face him, concern lingers in his gaze as he searches my face.
“I didn’t wear you out, did I?”
“No.” I muster a smile, grateful for the interruption when someone knocks at the door.
“Abella?” Gabi calls out.
“Yes?”
“The girls want to know if Angelo’s done bruising your throat yet. We have a fashion emergency.”
“I’m never going to hear the end of this,” I mutter, regretting the words even as I say them. Because I know they aren’t true.
Soon, all of this will be a distant memory.
Angelo tells me to wait while he grabs a cloth from the bathroom. He returns and cleans me up, dark satisfaction sparking in his eyes when he sees his cum leaking out of me.
“Go.” He lets my gown fall back into place. “Do what you need to do. We’ll be leaving soon.”
46
ABELLA
The ballroom at the IVI compound in Seattle drips with dark elegance and an air of mystery as guests in masks begin to filter inside.
Overhead, gilded chandeliers cast the room in a golden ambient glow while candles flicker on tables throughout the space. From the stage, a live orchestra plays haunting ballads and dark waltzes for the couples already on the dance floor.