Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
“Make me, wife,” he growls against my skin. Except Dante being Dante, he doesn’t give me a chance to answer. In one swift, powerful motion, he lifts me slightly, making sure not take his cock away from me, and shifts us toward the wall of the pool. He pins me, and my legs wrap higher around his hips. I let out a breathless gasp as he pistons his hips in and out of my slick center. Each thrust is agonizingly perfect.
“Fuck, Alexandria,” he rumbles. My core clenches at how he says my name. His forehead rests against mine as he buries himself deeper and deeper with every shove of his hips. “You feel like heaven.”
“Yes, Dante. God, yes,” I whimper, my hips arching, hands clinging to his wet shoulders, nails digging into his skin.
The slick friction of our bodies, the weightlessness of the water, and the possessive look in Dante’s eyes completely undo me. He hammers into me, keeping a tight hold of me against the wall of the pool and driving every lingering thought from my mind until all that’s left is him.
His touch.
His voice.
And the reality that I’m irrevocably his.
epilogue
ALEXANDRIA
Three Weeks Later
The grand ballroom is bathed in warm, ambient lighting. Swaths of fabric hang from here to there, flowers are placed strategically in massive stands, and that’s not to mention every other detail Gennie’s family friend thought of. The room is alive with the low hum of laughter, clinking crystal, and the soft notes of a live string quartet.
I would say the childhood cancer research charity gala is a smashing success by looks alone. The entirety of this place is packed to the brim with Seattle’s elite, and every single one of them has their wallet open. I stand near the edge of the elevated balcony, leaning back against the solid, comforting warmth of Dante’s chest. His arm is wrapped around my waist, keeping me flush against him as he reaches around me, stopping a waiter passing by for yet another glass of champagne. Apparently, I’m no longer swearing the bubbly off these days.
“Be careful, Mr. Lombardi,” I mutter, taking the offered glass and bringing it to my lips for a long sip. I turn my head slightly a moment later to smile at him. “Between booking the luxury suite upstairs for the night and feeding me copious amounts of champagne, a girl might think you’re trying to marry her all over again.”
“We’re already married, Alexandria. But if you want another ceremony, say the word. I’ll book the venue tomorrow.” A devilish smirk plays on his lips, his thumb stroking the silk of my dress right above my hip.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I laugh, shaking my head and leaning back into his embrace. Down on the main floor, the live auction is in full swing. Gennie crushed her date auction earlier looking like an absolute goddess in her emerald-green gown.
Now the big-ticket items are on the block. In true Dante fashion, he couldn’t sit back and watch. When a week-long excursion on a luxury yacht in the Mediterranean came up, his paddle went straight into the air. He secured it without breaking a sweat and probably spent twice the amount it was worth, but like he said, it’s for a good cause. Then came the court side seats to the NBA finals, followed immediately by a pristine, signed first edition from a historic author that he bought specifically for the library at the Medina house.
The real show begins when the rare, limited-edition Patek Philippe watch is brought onto the stage. Across the room, Dom raises his paddle, casting a smug look in Dante’s direction. My husband raises his paddle instantly, outbidding Dom by nearly fifty thousand dollars. Dom’s jaw tightens, and he raises his again. I roll my eyes and laugh when I see Cory shaking her head.
“Dante,” I whisper, stifling a laugh as Dom goes well above what I could ever imagine spending on a watch. “Don’t you dare. You’re only doing that to be a pain in the ass and piss off Dom.”
“And it was worth every single second,” Dante rasps, bringing his mouth to my ear as the auctioneer shouts, Sold!
The evening slowly begins to wind down. Some people move to the dance floor, others to the open bar, and a good portion of our friend group takes their leave. Dante must have the same idea as them. He slides his hand into mine, guiding me away from the ballroom and straight toward the private elevators.
“I can’t wait to take my heels off,” I say as we enter the bank.
“I can’t wait for you to take it all off,” Dante murmurs, backing me up until I’m pressed against the metal. He dips his body, allowing me to feel his hard length.
“Dante.” I tilt my head, close my eyes, and sink my nails into his chest. The dinging of the bell interrupts us just as he’s about to kiss me.