Laughing, I squeezed his hand, savoring the private moment. “Just a thousand?”
“Anything you wanted. Just name it.”
“Maybe I’ll take the sun.”
“Aren’t we hot enough for you?” When he backed away, taking the champagne from my hand, I slowly turned to face him.
“There’s always room for additional heat, Alessandro.” I could tell by the commanding look in his eyes that he had something on his mind. “What are you doing here?”
“There’s a custom in my family that must be adhered to.”
“Another one? Thank goodness I passed the test for the first one.” He’d already told me about the reason behind the rubies adorning my ring. I’d thought the superstition was adorable. He’d thought it ridiculous, but I reminded him that fate always intervened when you least expected it.
“Yes,” he said before indulging in a sip of champagne, his eyes never leaving me as he eased the glass to the dressing table. Then he reached for my hairbrush, twirling the wooden handle in his fingers. “You see, the bride to be is spanked prior to the wedding, a gift from her would-be spouse.”
“If that’s really a custom, the term ‘would be’ is perfect. You would damage the dress if you tried.”
He stalked toward me, his powerful presence more godlike than ever. He had a way of disarming me by his sinful smile and sensual expression.
“My little rebellious kitten. I’ll need to take a firm hand with you at all times. Now, I suggest you pull up your dress and lean over the dresser so I can provide you with what you need. If not…” His eyes kept me breathless.
He certainly didn’t need to finish the sentence.
I pursed my lips, purposely pouting before obeying him, although dragging the dress out of the way was a feat never to be repeated. When he quickly wrapped his finger around the thin strap of my thong, I gasped even before he ripped it from my body.
“What are you doing?”
“I don’t think you need panties. I’ll need complete access to your wet pussy at all times,” he said in his deep, husky voice.
As he pressed his hand against the small of my back, I bit back a whimper. I had no doubt the sound resonated nicely throughout the ancient church.
He didn’t waste any time, bringing the brush down against my backside with several hard swings. The brutal cracking sound matched the whines escaping my mouth.
“Ouch! That really hurts,” I said, shifting back and forth as pain rushed down both legs.
The look he gave me in the mirror was full of heat and desire, a beast far too hungry to waste time. He snapped his wrist six times in rapid succession, agony sweeping through me like a firecracker. As I wiggled back and forth, the dress rustling from my movement, he wagged his finger.
“Be a good girl or tonight I’ll finish your punishment.” He continued the spanking, moving from one side to the other, taking time to cover every inch of real estate. Heat rushed from my bottom all the way to my cheeks as embarrassment settled in. Anyone could walk in at any moment. Perhaps that’s what he wanted.
“Ten more,” he growled as he teased me, rolling the tip of his finger down the crack of my ass, sliding it between my legs. As he flicked it back and forth across my clit, he leaned down, whispering in my ear, “Tonight I’ll shackle you to the bed and take you in the most vile, demanding manner.”
“Mmmm…”
He laughed then finished the discipline, every strike harder than the one before. When he finished, he gently placed the hairbrush on the vanity before adjusting my dress. Then he pocketed my panties. “Be a good girl. Remember, Matteo is just outside if you need anything or if something occurs.”
“You have the entire church protected like I’m the princess of a foreign land. I don’t think anyone would dare cross you at the wedding.”
Alessandro had told me about his hopeful plan that Tristen would make an appearance at the reception or soon thereafter. The man continued to poke the bear and I feared the outcome now more than ever.
As he backed away, I took several deep breaths, the rush of adrenaline and wildfire coursing through me just as explosive as always.
I peered into the mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back at me, but it was obvious by the flush creeping up my cheeks and the rosiness of my lips that I’d fallen completely and totally in love with him.
Very slowly, a single tear began to trickle down my cheek.
* * *
Alessandro