Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 65987 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65987 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
"Fuck," he growled, the curse reverberating against my collarbone where his teeth scraped sensitive skin. He freed his arms with a violent shrug, shirt and jacket falling forgotten to the floor.
"Mine," I whispered, before pressing my lips to a jagged scar near his heart.
His eyes flashed at the word, his hands digging into my hips hard enough to leave marks. Marks of possession I wanted, needed, to remind me tomorrow that this was real. "Say it again," he commanded, his voice a dangerous rumble.
"You're mine, Dario Luca," I repeated, louder this time, wrapping my legs around his waist as he lifted me effortlessly. "And I'm yours. Always."
He carried me to the bed, but we didn't make it all the way. He took me there, halfway between wall and mattress, my back arching as he filled me with one powerful thrust. There was nothing gentle about our fucking. It was raw, primal, a desperate affirmation of life after brushing too close to death. He gripped my ass and hip with bruising force. I raked my nails down his back leaving red welts in their wake, our bodies slamming together in perfect, desperate rhythm.
When we finally tumbled onto the bed, neither of us had had enough. He flipped me onto my stomach, pulling my hips up, entering me from behind with a groan that vibrated through his chest. One hand tangled in my hair, pulling just enough to arch my back further, the other splayed across my hip, holding me steady as he drove into me.
"You feel so fucking perfect," he rasped against my ear. "Made for me."
I could only moan in response, words beyond me as he hit that perfect spot inside me again and again. He circled my hips with one arm to find my clit and circle it as he fucked me harder and faster. My orgasm built rapidly, tension coiling tighter with each thrust until it snapped, pleasure crashing through me in waves that left me gasping his name like a prayer. He followed moments later, his rhythm faltering as he pulsed inside me, his body curving protectively over mine.
We collapsed together onto the tangled sheets, sweat cooling on our flushed skin. For long minutes, the only sound was our gradually slowing breaths. Dario pulled me against his chest, his heartbeat strong beneath my ear, his bandaged hand resting lightly on my hip. Through the picture windows, I could see the Christmas lights on the grounds of Villa Luca, twinkling like earthbound stars against the dark night.
"What will happen to her?" I asked finally, breaking the peaceful silence. "To Valentina."
Dario's body tensed slightly beneath mine. When he spoke, his voice held that dangerous calm I'd come to recognize as his most lethal mood. "Valentina won't be a problem anymore."
I lifted my head to look at him. "Dario..."
"She tried to kill you, Belle." His eyes were cold, reminding me of who he was, what he was capable of. "In my club. In front of everyone. She knew the consequences when she made her choice."
I swallowed hard, not asking for details I probably didn't want to know. This was part of loving Dario Luca. I had to accept the darkness alongside the light. "I hate that you were hurt because of me."
His expression softened as he brought his bandaged hand to my cheek. "I would take worse for you without hesitation. I hope you know that."
I turned my face to press a kiss to his palm through the gauze. "I do."
"From the moment you walked into The Gray tonight," he said, his voice dropping lower, "I've been thinking about taking that dress off you." His lips curved into a small smile. "Though I had planned to be more careful with it."
I laughed softly, the tension breaking. "You'll buy me another one."
"A dozen," he agreed, pulling me closer. "In every color."
I rested my head on his chest again, listening to the steady beat of his heart. Outside, snow had begun to fall, dusting the grounds with white that reflected the colored lights. Christmas Eve was fading into Christmas Day.
"I love you," I whispered against his skin. "All of you, Dario. The man who puts stars on Christmas trees and the man who would kill to protect me. I love every part of you."
His arms tightened around me, his lips pressing against the top of my head. "You've given me something I never thought I'd have, Belle. A home. Not just this house, but here." He placed my hand over his heart. "I will love you until my last breath. And I will keep you safe for all of yours."
As sleep began to claim me, wrapped in Dario’s arms, the Christmas lights twinkled beyond the windows. Despite the violence and danger that would always swirl around the Luca family, I'd found my place. Not just in this mansion, but in Dario's arms, in his world, in his heart. And that was the greatest gift of all.