Chapter 10
She turned to walk to the door, but Louis grabbed her by her arm and tugged her roughly against him. And when his lips met hers, an uncontrollable moan escaped her and she simply slumped against him in surrender. She may not agree with the ways of their families, but that didn’t mean she had to ignore the obvious sexual tension that had been escalating between them from day one. And if she was going to play the part of the Mafia Consigliere’s wife, she may as well have fun doing so. She returned his kiss with such zeal she could have easily convinced herself that this was something more than a physical desire between two consenting adults.
Louis groaned and cursed in Italian and walked her back until her legs hit the bed and she flopped down on it. The desire she saw in his eyes ignited the same desire in her. He tugged at his shirt buttons and in no time shrugged his shirt off, tossing it aside. She followed suit taking her dress off and lay before him. Only wearing her lingerie.
“Mozzagiato,” he said as he shoved his pants down over his hips while toeing his shoes off, “you are a goddess.”
“Keep up the flattery, and I might consider forgiving you,” she said wickedly and slid her hand around the back of his neck pulling him in for a kiss. His wedged his knee between her thighs and leaned over her supporting his weight with one arm, while he moved his other hand down to cup her breast.
“If flattery is all it takes, consider it done,” he teased and dropped a string of kisses from the corner of her mouth, along her jaw and to the nape of her neck. His fingers curled around the lace of her bra tugging the one cup down to expose her breast, and then he latched onto her aching tip, sucking and swirling it in his mouth.
“Oh!” she cried out and threaded her fingers through his hair clinging unto his head. I’m in so much trouble, she thought and arched her back, pressing into him. Sleeping with the enemy had a whole new meaning all of a sudden.
Louis could hardly control himself as Belinda ground her body against his, she was so responsive, and the confidence that radiated from her was like a radioactive force consuming him. He moved his attention from her one breast to the other, biting her taut nipple through the lace of her bra eliciting a moan from her.
“Ti desidero,” he whispered against her heated skin, “from the first day I saw you, mia dolce.”
“The feeling is mutual,” she said breathlessly.
He took his sweet time exploring every inch of her body, from her ample breasts to her curvy hips. And as he peeled her panties down her legs he knew he could no longer hold back.
“Apri le gambe,” he demanded as he met her eyes, and she willingly spread herself open for him. God help me, he thought as he nipped nuzzled her neck sliding one hand down to cup her mound. She was soft and wet, her desire for him palpable, and as he rolled the pad of his middle finger over her clit she cried out dragging her nails across his skin.
He teased her a while longer, until her body was writhing beneath him and when he finally moved himself into position, she wrapped her legs around his, pulling him into her.
“Cazzo!” he cried out as he drove his length into her wetness. Nothing could compare to what he was experiencing this very minute, and with each thrust into her, she met him. Stroke after stroke, her hips rose to meet his like an erotic dance between two lovers.
Between his grunts and groans he heard her moan his name, pleading with him not to stop. The way she vocalized her desires was a complete turn on, and he was edging dangerously close to his climax. As he reached down where their bodies met, he found her clit. All it took was a single touch to send her crashing over the edge and as her body shook and her nails dug into his skin, he surrendered and spilled himself into her. He lay on top of her for a few seconds before he rolled over unto his side, propping his head on his hand, admiring her where she lay still with her eyes closed. A smile tugged at the corner of her full lips, and he bent his head down and kissed her.
“Does this mean I am forgiven?” he whispered huskily and kissed her shoulder.
“No,” she said and scooted to the edge of the bed, “but maybe if you do this again tomorrow, I will reconsider.”
He chuckled and got off the bed reaching for his pants, then removed a small black box from the pocket.
“How about this?” he said and flipped open the lid exposing a diamond ring.
She smirked and reached for the ring then slid it on her ring finger, and without a word she gathered her dress and underwear and walked through to the bathroom closing the door behind her.
She was a complex creature, he thought with a grin as he too got dressed and headed downstairs.
Chapter 11
Belinda stood at the top of the stairs studying all the guests. She knew the organization was large but she couldn’t help but wonder how many of these people were unsuspecting pawns unaware of the fact that the Angelinos and Benedettis were a part of this criminal organization.
Within a matter of two weeks she went from an ordinary woman to one forced to embrace her place in the mafia. If she was going to survive this, she was going to have to be strong and make her mark in society.
She tilted her chin defiantly and mechanically put one foot in front of the other as she descended the stairs. Her eyes locked on Louis as he stood at the bottom of the staircase. As she reached him, her father appeared alongside Stefano but she simply nodded at them both.
It was Stefano who announced the engagement and the pretense of it all was sickening, but she remained composed nonetheless. She had a few tricks up her sleeve, and with her position in such a powerful family at the side of Don Angelino’s son, she was going to make this work to benefit her.
The evening soon drew to a close. Her father approached her on a few occasions but never quite spoke to her. At times her heart ached to reconcile with him, but she shut her emotions down. She was no longer going to be this timid soul who allowed others to walk right over her.
“Did you enjoy the evening?” Louis asked as he came to stand beside her after the last of the guests exited the house.
“It was pleasant,” she said and sighed softly.
“Yes it was,” he said and then took her hand in his, “you should to speak with your father.”
She rolled her eyes and withdrew her hand from his, “I have nothing to say to him.”
“Belinda, you can’t shut him out forever.”
“You want to bet on that?” she said bitterly, “In due time I might talk with him again, but right now, I want him to wallow in self-pity and reflect on his actions.”
He took her by her shoulders and tilted her chin up, “Life is too short to harbor hatred, and the woman I met two weeks ago would never have been so callous.”
“Well that woman died,” she said blankly.
She simply had no choice but to toughen up, the only way she knew how. She had to feel nothing, allow no sadness, hurt or love to cloud her judgement. If that meant shutting everyone in her life out and pretending to be a cruel hard woman, then so be it.
A commotion outside drew their attention and Louis was the first to go and investigate, with her following closely. A small crowd of guests who still remained outside were huddled together in a group near the fountain. She shoved her way through the crowd to see what was going on and when she saw her father lying on the ground her heart stopped.
“Papa!” she cried out and dropped to her knees next to him, “papa!”
Louis was beside her immediately feeling for a pulse and checking his breathing, “I think it’s a heart attack, I can’t find a pulse.”
“No!” she cried as horror gripped her heart, “Help him Louis!” she pleaded as tears streamed down her face. He immediately started CPR while Stephano called for an ambulance. Ten minutes later, her father was on his way to the hospital and Louis was driving like the devil himself following the ambulance.
At the hospital everyone gathered in the waiting room. Louis was seated next to Belinda trying to console her. He knew that if her father did not pull through she would blame herself for the rest of her life.
“Let’s go and get some coffee,” he said and took her hand.
“I don’t want coffee,” she mumbled.
“It will do you good, come,” he insisted.
This time she didn’t object when he pulled her to her feet, and led her to the cafeteria. Seated across from her at one of the small tables, he studied her intently.
“You shouldn’t blame yourself, these things happen when we least expect it. For such a severe heart attack, he was probably sick for a long time.”
“I want Natalie to run El Pescore,” she said changing the subject completely.
“Belinda, business can be discussed at another time,” he said and took a sip of his coffee.
“No, it can’t. By Friday I’ll be Mrs. Angelino-Benedetti, I know you have already acquired a new accountant for the restaurant without consulting with me, so now is as good a time as ever.”
He cursed inwardly. His father had the very bad habit to stick his nose in everyone’s business. He wasn’t even aware of this change at El Pescore. The agreement was that the restaurant will remain unchanged. There was something dubious going on, not that it was any different from any of the other business deals his father was involved in. But for the sake of peace he agreed with her and reassured her that Natalie will be the manager in her absence.
“Miss Benedetti?” a somber voice spoke next to them. It was the doctor and the expression on his face was grave.
“I’m sorry we did all we could, but the damage to his heart was too severe.”
Louis met her gaze and she hardly blinked. Simply closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then stood up and walked out of the cafeteria.