Wife (Betrothed Book 1) Read online

  I stared at her for a long time, enjoying my vantage point. She hadn’t noticed me yet, so I soaked in the look of her sexy curves, the way her dress fit snugly over her chest. A cleavage line was noticeable because her tits were pressed firmly together.

  My hard dick was never going to rest until I was deep inside her.

  She and her family seemed to be busy talking to people, so I approached them with my hand extended to Gustavo. “Beautiful party.”

  Sofia’s eyes moved to my face, her previous look of boredom quickly replaced by a mixture of arousal and fear. If we were alone together, she would probably grab the front of my shirt and yank me into her.

  I loved it when she did that…like I was hers to push around.

  “Thank you,” Gustavo said. “This is my wife, Maria. I’m sure you’ve met in the past, but it’s been a long time.”

  I shook hands with her mother, giving her a polite smile. “I remember you very well. Beautiful as ever.”

  She smiled back, the affection reaching her eyes. “Well, thank you.”

  I turned to Sofia next. A handshake seemed odd when we were intense lovers. Anytime I touched her hand, I was usually pinning it behind her back or against the mattress. A cordial smile didn’t seem right, not when we hardly ever smiled at each other. I was used to watching her come, her mouth gaping open and tears leaking from the corners of her eyes. “It’s always a pleasure to see you, Sofia.” I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

  Stunned by my forwardness, she remained still.

  I turned back to her family like nothing happened. “Enjoy your evening.”

  12

  Sofia

  Mother walked beside me, a drink in her hand. “So, why didn’t you bring that man you’re seeing?”

  “Because we aren’t serious.”

  “You’ve been sleeping with him for a long time. Seems serious.”

  I stopped in my tracks and looked at her. “I like it better when you’re my mother, not my friend.”

  She brushed off the insult by stirring her olive in her glass. “I’m just looking out for you.”

  “How is asking about my sex life looking out for me?”

  “Because Hades Lombardi seems smitten with you.”

  Of course he does…because he didn’t even bother hiding it. He eye-fucked me right in front of my mother like he didn’t give a damn. “He’s not my type.”

  “Really?” she asked. “Because Gustavo says he’s made quite a name for himself. He’s self-made. Started his own bank in his twenties. That’s impressive. Not to mention, he’s tall, extremely handsome, polite.”

  That man was definitely not polite. “I’m not interested.”

  “Then are you sleeping with a woman?” She grabbed my arm and pivoted my body so I would be forced to look at him across the room. “There are at least three women staring at him as we speak.”

  There were more than three. “Just leave it alone, alright?”

  “He would probably make a good husband.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You don’t even know him.”

  “No, but I know men…and he’s into you.”

  I had to give her credit for that.

  “I’m gonna go mingle. Just think about what I said.” She clinked her glass against mine then walked away.

  I was lonely in the crowd, staring at the man who secretly occupied my bed. I watched as a beautiful woman in a black dress approached him and talked to him for a while. Jealousy rose in my chest like a tiger about to pounce, but I reminded myself he wasn’t mine. He would never be mine. He was just a good memory to cherish later.

  They talked for a little while longer before she excused herself from the conversation.

  I wondered if she’d asked him out, but he said no.

  “This party could use some strippers and club music. The quartet is so overrated.” Damien appeared beside me, wearing a black suit with a matching tie. In his hand was a glass of scotch—on the rocks. His body was aligned with mine so we were both looking at Hades across the room.

  Hades stood near the wall in the corner, his eyes moving to mine like I was a target. He drank from his glass as he watched me, never dropping his gaze. He was the hunter, and I was the hunted.

  Damien gave me a gentle nudge in the side. “Are you gonna make him stand there alone all night?”

  “He doesn’t have to stand alone if he doesn’t want to.”

  “He wants to be alone…unless you’re there with him.” He moved into my line of sight and faced me head on. He had dark hair and a shadow on his face, but his charm was boyish. He had a dimple in each cheek, a playful sheen in his eyes. “Every woman in this room would kill to go home with him. You’ve hit the jackpot, and you don’t even know it.”

  “Drug dealers are jackpots now?” I asked sarcastically.

  Once he heard the subtle insult, he turned serious. “A man who can control territory the way he does is a fucking powerhouse. He’s the most brilliant guy I’ve ever met, and based on all the broken hearts he leaves behind, he’s the best at a lot of things.” He took a drink then walked away, letting me chew on that final message.

  I handed my drink to a passing waiter and made my way over to Hades. My mother was busy talking to some of her friends, and Gustavo was so overwhelmed by guests that I was the last thing on his mind.

  Hades kept watching me as I came near, his eyes growing more intense the closer I got. He looked my figure up and down with heated eyes, like he wanted to hike up my dress and fuck me against the wall.

  When I reached him, I took the glass out of his hand and took a drink.

  Scotch. Cliché.

  He watched me drink, his hand sliding into his pockets.

  I finished the whole thing and set the empty glass on a nearby table.

  “What did Damien say to you?”

  “Not much.” I looked into that handsome face and grew weak like always. My fingers tightened into a fist automatically because I wanted to grab him and pull him into me, planting a kiss on those scotch-soaked lips. “Just that you have a big dick and I should be sucking it right now.”

  A slow grin subtly moved onto his lips. “I don’t disagree with that.”

  “You want me to get on my knees right now and suck you off?”

  The playfulness in his eyes died away immediately. He slowly morphed into the intimidating man I met a long time ago. His body oozed confidence, his eyes burning with possessiveness. “I wouldn’t stop you.” He moved toward me, coming so close that if anyone were watching, they would know we’d seen each other naked so many times. His chin tilted down toward my face, and he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my lips.

  I didn’t stop him.

  He pulled away and watched my expression. “I’m about to dig my hand into your pretty hair and kiss you so good, you come on the spot. We both know I don’t give a shit who sees us. They can watch me fuck you for all I care. So, don’t play games with me. You’ll lose—I promise you.”

  “I wasn’t playing games.” My hand slid up his stomach to his chest, and my fingers dug into the fabric of his collared shirt. I gave it a gentle tug, stretching the premium cotton. I didn’t tug him into me for a kiss. Instead, I let him go then rubbed my hand over the defined bulge in his slacks.

  I stepped away and moved to the balcony. The doors were closed because it was too cold on this winter night to move the party outside. I stepped onto the terrace then moved to the side of the patio, the place where I’d kissed him for the first time.

  He followed behind me.

  This time, I pushed him against the wall before I moved in and kissed him. I rose on my tiptoes and kissed his eager mouth, feeling his hand slide into my hair as he pulled me close. If anyone looked out the window, they might be able to see our dark figures moving around, but it would be hard to make out.

  My fingers got his slacks open, and I pushed them down over his hips slightly, getting his cock free.

  Then I lifted up my dress
and got down on my knees.

  His eyes narrowed in surprise as he looked down at me, his fat cock exposed to the cold air. His body tightened as his hand moved into my hair again, and he guided my mouth to his length.

  Once I pushed my throat over his hard dick, he moaned like it was the first time he’d had a wet mouth around his cock. “Jesus…”

  I opened my mouth as wide as I could and lifted my gaze to meet his. Then I sucked his dick hard and fast, proving I wasn’t the least bit scared either. He had a big dick, so he took up my entire throat with his girth. It made it hard to breathe, impossible to swallow, and my eyes stung with tears.

  He thrust his hips and dug deep inside me, pushing that fat cock as far as he could go because he knew I could handle it. His hand wrapped around my hair like a lasso, getting a controlling grip that kept me in place.

  Not that I was going anywhere.

  I liked his dick in my mouth. I liked pleasing him. I liked surprising him. He was the one who liked to be in control all the time, so it was sexy to see him vulnerable, for him to let me do whatever I wanted so he could enjoy it.

  When his dick hardened in my mouth like he was about to come, he pulled my eager mouth off his dick. “Up.” He dragged me by the arm and pulled me to my feet before he pressed me against the wall. My dress was yanked up, my panties were pulled to the side, and he wrapped my leg around his waist so he could fuck me.

  He slid inside me easily, soaked in my spit.

  I moaned because his cock always felt so good, especially after I sucked it off.

  He pressed me against the wall and rested his face against mine, supporting me as he worked his hips to push deep inside me over and over. He breathed against my mouth, his desire audible.

  My fingers dug into his hair as I held him close, as I let him smother me into the wall to keep me warm. Four years ago, I’d wanted to be just like this, letting this beautiful man fuck me. But it never would have been as good then as it was now.

  His hips slowed down, and he moved his mouth to mine to kiss me. His embrace was gentle, full of purposeful kisses and deep breaths. That was when everything started to move in slow motion. Seconds ago, we were yanking on each other in desperation. Now, we wanted to take our time, like we were home in bed. He wanted to make this last, commit this moment to memory.

  I deepened the kiss as our bodies moved together on that rooftop, as we clung to each other in the cold air. The skin of my back and shoulders shivered when it came into contact with the cold stone, but now I was so hot, I was working up a sweat. “What if someone sees…?” We’d been gone from the party a long time, and my mother shrewdly noticed everything. She would probably figure out that Hades absent from the party as well.

  He pulled the string at the nape of my neck and let my dress fall forward, let my tits become exposed to the nighttime air. His big dick sank inside me over and over, and he crowded me farther into the wall as he fucked me good and slow. “Let them see.”

  13

  Hades

  In a daze, I sat alone at a table as the party wound down. Couples had been departing over the last hour, and the people who stayed behind were taking forever to say goodbye. Alone, I enjoyed my drink as I replayed what had just happened on that balcony.

  This woman was going to kill me.

  I was the kingpin of the drug world, selling the purest stuff on the market, but not once had I taken a hit. That shit messed people up for a long time, so I didn’t get involved in that lifestyle. My two vices were cigars and booze. Pussy too, if that counted. But Sofia was my drug, the addiction I couldn’t break…not that I was trying. When we were wrapped together, it was the closest to heaven I would ever be. When my time on earth was over, I would be sent to hell on the expressway.

  At least I’d gotten to touch an angel before I left.

  Damien fell into the chair beside me and set his valet ticket on the tablecloth. “Take the car.”

  “You’ve got other plans?” I shoved the ticket into my pocket.

  “That waitress lives down the block. I’m gonna walk her home.”

  “It’s freezing outside.”

  “Yeah, but I’m sure her cunt is nice and warm.” He nudged me in the side then nodded his head in her direction. “She’s got one hell of an ass.”

  I glanced at her but wasn’t impressed by what I saw. I’d never been picky when it came to women, but Sofia ruined all other women for me. They had nothing compared to her gorgeous face, sexy legs, and pussy made of crystal. “Have fun.”

  “What are you gonna do?”

  Go home with my woman. Just not sure how I was gonna pull that off. “Not sure.”

  He glanced at Sofia across the room. “I talked you up to her.”

  “She told me.”

  “Hoped it helped.”

  “It did.” Big time.

  “I’ll admit she’s an exceptionally beautiful woman, but what’s your fascination with her? You can have any woman you want, and she’ll want you back. But you seem to like the one woman who doesn’t. Is that why you’re obsessed with her? Because you can’t have her?”

  I had no idea why I felt this way. All I knew was I didn’t want anyone else but her. “I’m not sure. If I ever figure it out, I’ll let you know.”

  He clapped me on the back and rose to his feet. “I’ll see you later, man.”

  “Night.”

  He walked away and picked up the waitress. They walked off together.

  My eyes moved back to the woman who’d stolen my obsession. A young man was talking to her now, probably lingering behind so he could have the opportunity to ask her out. He was a good-looking guy but nowhere near her caliber.

  I could be jealous, but I wasn’t.

  Real men don’t get jealous.

  She must have turned him down because he walked away empty-handed.

  I handed the ticket to the valet outside so they could retrieve the car.

  Sofia and her family entered the lobby a moment later, their coats protecting them from the cold they would have to feel once they walked outside. Even with her body encased in enough fabric to hide her curves from sight, her legs were enough to make mouths drop.

  Maria spotted me, and a spark of mischief came into her eyes. She broke away from her husband and walked up to me. “Heading home?”

  “Yes. It was a lovely evening. Thank you for the invitation.” I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

  She turned her face, giving me good exposure. “We’re very happy that you attended.”

  The Ferrari pulled up to the curb. “Have a good night.”

  “Hades.” Her slender fingers gently wrapped around my arm. “Gustavo and I will be here a little longer. Would you mind taking my daughter home?” She turned to her daughter. “Honey, come here.”

  It looked like I had her mother’s approval. She was playing matchmaker right in front of my eyes.

  Sofia turned to us, clearly uncomfortable at the sight of us talking. She joined us, rigid and cold in her mother’s presence. The heat we’d shared on the balcony was long gone because her resentment overshadowed everything.

  “Hades is going to take you home,” Maria said. “We’ll be here awhile longer, and I don’t want you to wait around.”

  “I can walk.” That was Sofia’s preferred method of transportation…even though it pissed me off.

  Maria laughed it off, but her eyes showed her embarrassment. “You’re funny, honey. Good night.” Once she put the two of us together, she walked away so the magic between us could spark.

  Even though we were already two explosive volcanoes.

  I extended my arm to her. “Let’s go.”

  Sofia was still annoyed, so she didn’t take my arm. She walked forward and stepped into the nighttime air, holding her head high like a queen.

  I opened the door for her then got behind the wheel. I turned up the heat before I drove away.

  She looked out the window. “Is this your car?”

  �
�Damien’s.”

  “And where is he?”

  “Getting blown.”

  She smiled slightly and pulled her coat tighter around her.

  “Your mother seems to like me.” My line of business wouldn’t be a problem for us like it would for most people. Maria had a realistic view of the world. She understood I was powerful enough to remain invincible in my work, so obviously, I could protect her daughter. I could provide for her. I could keep that hotel running smoothly and protect the Romano family.

  “Don’t take it as a compliment.”

  “Hard not to. It’s difficult to earn the approval of the mother.”

  “You don’t need her approval.”

  No, but it would be much easier.

  “Besides, I’m not sure how much she would like you if she knew what we did on the balcony.”

  “Seems to me that’s exactly what she wants.”

  She turned her head back toward the window, dismissing the conversation.

  I could feel her negative energy, feel her anger heat up the car.

  “You shouldn’t be so hard on her.”

  She snapped. “Don’t tell me how to feel about my own family. You think you know everything, but you know nothing.”

  She’d never really confided in me about anything. Everything I’d gathered about her was through observation. She was an honest person who strived for greatness, and she had an attitude while she did it. She was different from the rest of us because she still possessed her moral compass. But she didn’t understand the real world didn’t play by the rules. It played for survival.

  I approached her building.

  “Just drop me off here, and I’ll walk up.”

  I wasn’t giving up that easily. “I’m walking you to your door.”

  “I don’t need you to walk me to my door.”

  I ignored her and parked.

  When she didn’t get what she wanted, she sighed and shoved the door open.

  I followed behind her and walked up the stairs until we arrived at her door.