"Shall we?"
She tips up her chin, brushes past me and her scent—Gesù Cristothat crushed rose-petals scent of hers invades my senses. I draw in a deep breath and allow it to permeate my cells, motherfucker. I should be shot for being weak. I stalk forward and follow her down the stairs. Before we reach the bottom, Karma, Theresa, and Aurora swarm around Jeanne. Karma hugs her. Theresa pats her back. Aurora beams at her, then glances at me. She must notice something in my expression, for her smile fades a little.
Christian closes the distance to me and slaps me on my back so hard that I stumble. "Congratulations, motherfucker. You did the deed eh?"
"It would seem so," I say dryly. I glance toward where Massimo leans a hip against my Maserati. I glower at him.
He raises his hands, palms face up. "I tried," he mouths to me.
"Well, you should have tried harder," I mouth back.
Axel draws abreast. "You decided to join the rest of us, eh?" he drawls in his English accent. Fucker always sounds like he’s just had tea with the Queen. With his unshaven jaw and his penchant for casual dressing, he shouldn’t fit in with theCosa Nostra, but strangely, he has, from the very first day he decided to give up his role as an undercover cop.
And me... Would the transition be as difficult for me? Honestly, I don’t know. If he could pull it off, no reason I can’t, right?
Adrian stands next to Massimo. He rocks back on his feet, surveying us. He’s the only one of my brothers who looks disgruntled. Massimo holds out his palm, and Adrian slaps a bill into it.Che cazzo?Did the two of them have a bet running at my expense?
Then Karma closes the distance to me and throws her arms about me. "Congratulations, I knew you were going to honor Nonna’s word. The Don is going to be so happy."
"Where is Michael? Couldn’t tear himself away from the business for one day to greet his own brother who’s returning from his wedding?"
Karma’s eyes dim, but there’s no break in the wattage of her smile. Smart woman. Considering she doesn't come from a Mafia background, she’s learned how to face the challenges of this life quickly.
"He had something urgent come up, but he’s waiting at home to personally greet you and your wife." She takes my hand in hers. "You did good, Luca. I know you and Jeanne will be very happy."
You know what I said earlier about Karma being smart? Strike that. Apparently, not even she can see through the charade that is my marriage.
"I’m sure." I bare my lips in what I hope is the semblance of a smile. "I can’t wait to start my life as a married man."
What utter nonsense am I spewing? But if it convinces my family about the authenticity of my relationship with Jeanne, it’ll be worth it. I close the distance to Jeanne and wrap my arm around her. Her body is stiff, but I ignore it and pull her into my side. I rub my fingers in circles over her bare forearm and notice the goosebumps on her skin.
"You’re cold?" I shrug out of my jacket and place it about her shoulders, much to the oohs and ahs of my three sisters-in-law. Women, it’s so easy to convince them that a lie is anything but. All I have to do is play the part of adoring husband in front of them. Once more, I wrap my arm about Jeanne. I haul her close and kiss her forehead. That earns me another round of nods from the men, and more smiles from the women. I have so gotten this shit sewn-up. I can’t stop the smirk from curling my lips.
That’s when Jeanne turns to me. She stands up on tiptoe, wraps her arm around my neck, urges me to lower my head, and kisses me.
37
Jeanne
The alphahole decides he’s going to make the most of this opportunity to convince his family our marriage is real. Well, two can play this game. If he wants to get all cozy, I’m more than happy to oblige. Yes, I know, I’m the one who got all flustered when I saw how my body responded to him earlier. And of course, isn’t it better if his family buys into our little farce? The faster they’re convinced, the quicker I can get the hell away from him. But I can’t stand the thought of him winning this round.
The jerk pretends to be all polite by placing his jacket about my shoulders. But I know better. His every action is calculated to persuade his family we’re the real deal. Which is understandable. He pulls me closer and kisses my forehead, and I don’t protest. But then he smirks, and something inside me snaps.
If he wants to touch me, I can do the same to him, right? Why should I make it easy on him? Why should I be the only one who’s suffering from this closeness? Somehow, I need to make him feel as uncomfortable as I am now.
So, I decide to do the one thing sure to get under his skin. I capitalize on the attraction he still feels toward me, on my terms. Does he really think he’s the only one who can direct how and when we get intimate? And surely, there’s nothing he can do to me in front of his entire family, right? That thought gives me the courage to rise up on tiptoe, pull his head down and kiss him.
Now, his lips stay frozen, and I take advantage of his surprise to dart my tongue inside his mouth. I pull him even closer and deepen the kiss. A shiver runs over his skin.
A feeling of power unfurls in my chest. He’s affected by me. This big, bad Mafia guy wants me, and I was the one to turn him down—albeit, with the help of a white lie. I told him I have a problem with him being in the Mafia, and initially, that was the truth, but the more time I spend with him, the more I realize that beneath that Mafioso exterior is a man who’s thoughtful and sensitive and caring and sexy. I’m not a shallow person, but his personality, his charisma, his ability to own a room when he walks into it, to own me... weakens me at the knees. His strong, dominant nature appeals to the core of me. He doesn't take kindly to following orders. Yet, here he is, following my lead.
I thread my fingers through the thick hair at the base of his neck. My fingers brush his skin, and a low growl rumbles up his throat. The next second, he wraps his arm around my waist, lifts me in his arms so my feet are suspended off the floor, tilts his head, and proceeds to eat my mouth. There’s no other way of describing it. The kiss seems to go on and on. The blood drains to my core and my nipples stiffen. I dig my fingernails into his shoulders and hold on as he ravishes my mouth. Then, just as suddenly, it’s over.
I blink as the sound of clapping washes over me. He lowers me to the ground, but my knees seem to give way from under me. I have to grip the front of his shirt for support. My breathing is heightened. My cheeks must be flushed. But this guy? There’s no change of expression on his face. If anything, his features are even more shuttered than before. He holds my shoulder until I’ve found my footing, then he slips his fingers through mine.
"That was some kiss." Karma fans her face.
"Seems the two of you are really in love." Theresa glances between us, a look of wonder on her face.