Page 76 of Till Death Do Us Part

Aminute passed and then another. An unusual flicker of need came to life within me. Yes, it was the desire to follow through on my plans, but it was more than that. There was a yearning to be what Aléjandro needed.

Though I didn’t want to give my first husband time in my thoughts, I knew Rocco wasn’t faithful during our marriage. He often used the whores at Emerald Club to take the edge off. I appreciated the reprieve.

Aléjandro wasn’t Rocco. I’d come to terms with that. I also wanted to be more to him, to be who he sought when he had unfulfilled needs.

Steeling my shoulders, I opened the bathroom door. As steam billowed from the shower stall, Aléjandro stood under the hot spray with his back to me. Nibbling on my lip, I watched the muscles in his wide shoulders move as his right arm pumped ferociously. There was no shock or surprise at what he was doing. I’d known what I would walk in on, and as it was like the first time I’d witnessed his self-pleasure, the act in itself was hauntingly beautiful.

My gaze skirted down his back littered with silver scars, landing on the sexy dimples at the base of his spine. I caressed his firm ass with my eyes while longing to touch him with my hands. Even his thighs were defined, muscular and strong.

Slipping my dress over my shoulders, I let it fall to the ground. My nipples beaded as I pushed down my panties and stepped out of my sandals. Aléjandro didn’t turn or acknowledge my presence until I slid open the glass door.

He spun all at once, his massive cock in his moving hand. His facial features contorted as if he was causing himself pain not pleasure. I stepped into the glass stall and pulled the door closed. The hot water accosted my tender sun-scorched skin and flattened my hair that I’d so painstakingly styled.

The blood from earlier was gone.

Bravely, I reached for his erection. “May I change the rules again?”

Aléjandro’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he slowly shook his head. “No. Not right now.”

There was an edge to his voice I’d never heard before, one that both frightened and excited me. Whatever happened today had been draining and taken him down a dark path. I was familiar with the evil in our worlds. As I worked to keep my courage, I spoke, “I don’t need to know what happened today.”

Aléjandro turned away from me.

I reached for his shoulder, encouraging him to turn back in my direction. “The only thing that’s important to me is that you came back, that you’re here.” He turned, his dark stare devouring me. “I made a decision today.”

“Fuck, Mia. Not now.”

His volume caused me to flinch.

He went on, “I don’t want to scare you, and you’re right; I don’t want you to know what happened today. But know it was sick and perverse. That’s me or who I can be. That’s the man you married. I don’t want to be that man for you.”

Lifting my hands to his shoulders, I ran my palms over his strong arms, seeing the water and blood-soaked bandage. “I want to have intercourse. I will never mention him again, but I know you’re not him. Your restraint has been…” I fought tears. “I want to be your wife in every way.”

He shook his head. “Later.”

My cheeks rose as I smiled. “No, Jano.” I’d never before used the name his family called him. “Now. Right now. In this shower or out on the bed. I don’t care where… I promise I can take whatever you give because I want to be close to you. I don’t care what we do, this is me giving you permission.” When he didn’t answer, I added, “I can beg.”

He’d said I would beg. Now, I didn’t care.

His palm cupped my cheek as he inhaled. “Fuck, Mia. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Any more than I want.”

“What?” he asked, tilting his head.

“That’s what you said, you wouldn’t hurt me more than I want. I’m done hurting you. I blamed you for wanting me, for taking me away from my family. I’ve given you every reason to lash out at me, but you’ve shown restraint at every turn.” I reached for the faucet and turned off the water. “Come, I know you won’t hurt me. Use me.”

Aléjandro~

Fuck,Mia didn’t understand what she asked for. There’s no way she’d willingly put herself in my crosshairs, not today, not after the day I’d had. She turned and stared up at me with wide hazel eyes swirling with flecks of desire. Water dripped from her long hair down her perfect body as she led me out of the bathroom.

She will hate me for this.

“Come.” Her one word was filled with hope.

Hope that I would crush the darkness inside me.

I stopped walking and reached for her chin, pulling it up as my lips savagely took hers. She tasted like fresh mint. Mia gasped as my tongue prized open her mouth, ruthlessly taking what she’d offered.