~~~~~

I sat up groggily, fingers curling into tangled brown hair. My body pulsated tenderly, reminding me of last night, and I gasped as I sat up, blanket held over my chest. Nico was far more tender than he ever had been before, making my mind blank for the better part of the night. Every stroke, kiss, and pure pleasure had me shifting, that familiar sticky feeling unpleasant enough to wake me up more.

A glance at my arms told me all I needed to know, since I was covered in hickeys. I was positive there were more on my neck and chest, too, but my gaze fell onto Nico’s form wanting to punch him, then I froze. Perhaps he made me far crazier than I thought, since I now noticed the marks of red on his neck too. With a blush, I remembered the moment I left them, and averted my gaze.

It was when we repositioned beneath the covers last night, and the vivid memory had me moving away from him. I needed to get out from under this blanket before I did something regrettable considering my usual response to him. The last thing I wanted to do was admit how much I loved having sex with him. Waking up not knowing when I fell asleep was bothersome enough without having vivid memories later.

“Where do you think you’re going?” A hoarse tone demanded, and the slide of blankets slipped across sensitive skin before an arm yanked me backwards against solid, hot, muscle. “I did not give you permission to leave my bed yet, Amore Mio.”

A shiver crawled down my spine at his husky voice, yet wanted to remind him he didn’t control me. When I tried glancing over my shoulder to look at him, his hand drifted lower, making a gasp part my lips, and distracting me from my goal until I grabbed his wrist. Finally turning to meet his gaze, I gasped at how ruffled he looked, a little pink in the cheeks, and annoyingly adorable.

“Humor me.” He begged, his arm pulling me tight again, then he inhaled deeply, as if completely relaxed. “When we’re alone, just be Lili. The woman who drives me crazy with her teasing, always keeps me on my toes, and makes my body burn for her just by existing. You can be a woman when we’re alone, you know.”

“No, I need to remember my position.” I managed to slip out of his arms and dress for the day while he watched, then I turned back to him, knowing my anger bled into my gaze. “And we need a few days apart. You never let me sleep.”

~~~~~

A few days later, I was still annoyed. I would never admit it, something I was sure he knew, but maybe I didn’t have to fight him that much. Maybe I could enjoy this for as long as his attention lasted, though I would have to be careful. I could never fall for him. If I did, it would be the end of the Accardi, and family was more important. They were the reason I married him, right? The less he associated me with my family, the better though. Perhaps I should use that.

I often thought back to the day he told me that - when I was not busy - the day he said I could be a woman. Three days had passed since then, and I returned to sleeping in the servants’ quarters, wanting to avoid him. He saw enough of my weakness to keep me lying in bed with him in awkward silence before, because I felt I had to stay. I couldn’t allow him to think he had the upper hand, yet I still felt like the loser.

“Amore Mio.” He called, interrupting my stomp to his office with a knowing grin. “Shall we take this to more private quarters?”

“Now.”

I followed him through the house, not even trying to keep up until we reached the entrance to his room. As soon as the door shut behind me, I turned to look at him before grabbing him by the tie to tug him down to eye level, my cheeks feeling hot. I sought him out. It was me looking for him that led to this, and I could no longer stop. When his shocked expression approached, I ignored it in favor of laying my lips over his. The very instant our skin touched, I surrendered myself to his drug, no longer wanting to hold back.

Every inch of my skin itched to prove just how much I wanted to be one with him, so I pulled him with me over to the bed, where I know he let himself be pushed when he realized what it was leading to. I knew I was out of my mind letting myself be so free near him, yet I needed to show him. To prove to him that I understood his intentions and were grateful for them, at least, so far. For my family, I tried to convince myself.

“You did this, you know.” I said, pushing at his shirt to reveal the lines of muscles beneath. “I’m a mess and it’s all your fault.”

He didn’t chase after me. He knew exactly what I always craved, yet let me come to my own conclusion. For three days, I managed to put a lid on things, but when I was without him? Just seeing him during the day would make my stomach tense, even more so when he ignored me. Maybe I was the masochist. My lips traced the lines my fingers drew before I looked tauntingly up at him.

“Don’t move. I bet you won’t be able to follow my order.”

Even I didn’t know what I was capable of, yet it didn’t stop me from glaring at him when his body shifted. He looked anxious, like he couldn’t hold back any longer, and having this much power over him made my heart beat faster. There had to be a line drawn somewhere, but it was nonexistent when his green orbs locked with mine, and I reveled in the power I had. Even a Don could fall to my whims. Despite knowing it was only because we loved each other, I bit my lip to avoid the truth.

My fingers played across his belt, teasing at the latch before unbuckling it, and tugging at the button. Nico always made me feel out of control, so I wanted to do the same to him and see what it looked like. So far, I felt just as crazed as he seemed when I was the one receiving. His hands lifted from the bed towards me, before clenching and falling away, his stare intense as he watched me.

“Watch.” I ordered, observing his resolve at war with desire in his emerald gaze. “Don’t move.”

I finally rose over him, looking across his features as he grasped the headboard above him, perhaps to follow my orders. His knuckles turned white as I sank, my spine arching at the white-hot heat filling my soul. Nico. My mind chanted his name over and over, as one heavy moan after another parted my lips, and I threw my head back, unable to stop. Everything felt good, from my toes to my fingers, and I finally looked down to see all of him.

It was In the way his fingers tens”d on’my thighs, the way his chest heaved with his breath, and how his eyes – glazed over as they were – focused solely on me. Nico would never be my enemy, so I didn’t have to treat him as such. The pleasure warped my thoughts, making everything before me turn white as I collapsed against him, my breath stuck in my throat. After several deep, struggling breaths, I locked eyes with him, still breathing heavily.

“I can’t…”

Our connection never wavered as he flipped us, his sweating form moving slowly against mine. I looked for anything I could to keep us together when he shifted, my fingers digging into the red sheets of our room as I tried to steady myself. I needed more. Wanting to display that desire, my hand locked over his nape, drawing him closer to press my lips to his. Even now, I felt coherent.

“More…”

~~~~~

“Nico…” She mumbled in her sleep, drawing his gaze. “Mm.”

The perfect fit to his flesh, even as she shifted, and Nicolo groaned as her hip brushed a sensitive zone. Even despite that, he wanted to remain where he was. When she woke, she would likely return to the woman she usually was. Cold and distant. No matter how much she called for him at night, during the day, she would become ice. She played the part of loving Donna well in front of others, yet when the two were alone, she seemed to detest him.

“Nicolo,” her more awake sounding voice drew his gaze to her alert expression, still a little glazed from sleepiness. “I need you.”

Four words and he was pinning her hands over her head, gazing hard into her flawless brown eyes, spine tingling. Didn’t he already tell her to stop teasing? Her core welcomed him perfectly, and his shoulders sunk at the extreme feel of pleasure engulfing him. Lili was flawless in every way, to the point he could ignore the world ending for her, and when her arms locked over his shoulders, he groaned.

Pouty lips with narrowed brown eyes, tears teasing at their corners. She seemed lost, like she didn’t have any clue what she was doing, yet her energy begged for more as her fingers dug at his back. Her chest heaved with every breath, sweat pooled beneath them, and all he could do was shift faster, hoping to see ecstasy engulf her as it had him. Fire and love transformed him into this creature that only sought seeing satisfaction on her face.

“Nico…” Lili moaned, her pink lips pursing as she begged, hazy brown eyes on his mouth. “Make me forget myself with you.”

The last of his control snapped, having already been a thread, and he lunged forward, sinking deep within. Her calves tensed against his thighs, making his body shift again. Then he lost himself to her; the only woman who had that power. No, the only being who could completely control every aspect that was him. Did his affection make her feel half of what he did when she touched him?

He pushed forward, their bodies merging atop the bed they avoided for only three days. It had felt like centuries. His fingers dug into the mattress, fisting as he shoved forward, his gaze on her expression. The gloriousness making him feel complete as her parted lips begged for more, and he couldn’t help but move faster. Nothing else mattered but the expression on her face and the fire of her gaze. No other woman could accept him the way she did.

“Lili…” He groaned, pulling at her body for more despite it having no effect. “I love you.”

Her brown pools fell shut as she listened to his words, almost as if in bliss, before she pulled him closer for another searing kiss which left him dazed. How much more could he afford to lose himself in her? All she was made him insane, and if she started accepting him more, he didn’t know what he would do. He could almost imagine all the places he could take her until sharp nails dug into his spine, waking him somewhat.

“Give me more…” She demanded, rosy cheeks and all. “Now.”

She was the only being on this planet who could give him orders he would follow. His movements picked up speed, hoping to meet her request as her hands collapsed above her, her breasts shifting with every movement. How perfect the moment was paled compared to the glow she seemed to emanate when their eyes locked, and his lips sought hers again. The Donna of his family would be a formidable woman if this was what she could reduce him to.