Page 83 of Of Oaths and Secrets

I pout dramatically, pretending to sulk as I continue drying her, my fingers brushing across her skin with reverence and desire. “Do you really want me to leave?”

She chuckles, shaking her head, amused but indulgent. “I’ll be fine, Rafaele. I’ve got work to do too.”

I drop the towel and step closer, letting my hands rest on her hips as I pull her to me. “Forget work.” I lean down, pressing soft kisses along her jaw, tasting the faint hint of her soap mixed with her natural sweetness. “Let me take care of you. Worship you.”

Her breath hitches, and she looks up at me, her eyes darkening. “And keep Paolo waiting?”

“He can wait,” I murmur, my mouth moving to the curve of her neck, my hands caressing her damp skin as I sweep her into my arms, cradling her against me as if she’s the most precious thing in the world—because she is. The knowledge that she’s carrying our child fills me with a fierce joy I can barely contain. I bring her to the bed, laying her down gently, my eyes never leaving her face. She looks up at me with that soft smile, and I feel it—this ache, this incredible feeling I can’t name but can’t deny.

I keep my eyes on her as I discard my suit before I bend down to kiss her, soft and slow, pouring everything I feel into it. Herlips part beneath mine, inviting, and I can’t hold back. My hands glide over her, mapping the curves of her body, and when my hand settles over her stomach, a surge of pride and wonder hits me.My Nora. My light.

I brush a strand of hair from her face, whispering, “You’re perfect,” letting my hand drift lower, caressing her thigh and then her hips. She shivers beneath my touch, her lips parting with a sigh that drives me wild.

I press a trail of kisses down her neck, pausing to taste the delicate skin, moving slowly, savoring every inch of her bare body beneath me, her beauty taking my breath away. “I don’t deserve you,” I murmur, my voice thick.

Her cheeks flush, her eyes shining with warmth, and I can’t hold back any longer. I kneel at the edge of the bed, spreading her thighs, pressing soft kisses along the sensitive skin, watching her body react to every touch, every kiss. She’s trembling beneath me, and I feel a fierce satisfaction, knowing I’m the one making her feel this way.

“Rafa…” she breathes out, her voice a soft plea.

I don’t answer; instead, I lower my mouth to her, tasting her, savoring the sweetness of her arousal. She gasps, her body arching beneath me, and the sound only drives me to give her more. My tongue moves slowly, deliberately, tasting her, feeling her respond, her body tightening with every stroke. Her hands tangle in my hair, her breath hitching as I flick my tongue over her clit, teasing, drawing her higher and higher.

The way she moans my name, the way her thighs tremble beneath my hands—it’s intoxicating. I could lose myself in this, in her, forever.

I slide a finger inside her, feeling her walls tighten around me. She’s close, so close, and I want to push her over the edge, to hear her scream my name. I add another finger, my mouthworking her clit as I thrust slowly, watching as she comes undone.

“Rafaele!” she cries out, her body arching as she shudders, her orgasm taking her over completely. I don’t stop, drawing out her pleasure, savoring every second as her body trembles beneath me.

When her breathing finally slows, I pull back, kissing my way up her body, letting my hands trail over her curves. She looks up at me, her face flushed, her eyes heavy with desire, and I know—there will never be anything more beautiful than this.

I position myself above her, brushing my thumb over her cheek. “Are you okay?” I ask, voice husky as I line myself up with her entrance. “I don’t want to hurt you… or him.”

She laughs softly, her hands sliding down to grip my arms, pulling me closer. “We’re perfect.I’mperfect.”

With a slow, deep breath, I press into her, groaning as I feel her warmth surround me, the perfect fit. Her legs wrap around my waist, pulling me deeper, and I set a slow, gentle rhythm, savoring every gasp, every shiver of pleasure that courses through her.

Her hands slide over my back, gripping me as I move faster, her body meeting mine, her breaths mingling with mine. She whispers my name, her voice a soft, broken plea, and it sends a thrill through me, pushing me closer to the edge.

My hands grip her hips, holding her close as I thrust deeper, harder, losing myself in her, in the way she responds to every touch, every movement. I can feel her nearing the edge again, her body tightening around me, and I let myself go, my rhythm turning rougher, my hands digging into her skin, desperate to take all of her.

Her cries grow louder, and I feel her tighten around me as she reaches her peak, her body trembling, and her nails digging into my back. With one last, deep thrust, I come inside her,groaning her name as pleasure takes over, my body shuddering with release.

As we collapse together, breathing hard, I pull her close, pressing soft kisses to her forehead, her cheeks, and her lips. Holding her, I know I’ve never felt anything so perfect.

I kiss her forehead one more time before standing up with a sigh. I begin to put my suit back on, my gaze drifting to her—my pregnant wife, lying in the soft morning light, her body wrapped in that glow only she seems to possess. Her lips are swollen from our kisses, her face flush with that perfect pink hue she always has after an intense orgasm. She smiles sleepily, her eyes half-closed, utterly content, and I can’t help but grin, feeling like a damn superhero leaving her like this, knowing I’m the only man who ever will.

This feeling—seeing her like this, knowing I’ve put that look on her face—is more intoxicating than anything else. I feel more powerful in this moment than I ever do in a torture chamber. It’s a different kind of strength, a raw, possessive satisfaction that nothing else comes close to.

I lean down, pressing one last lingering kiss to her lips before I finally pull away, leaving her to drift back into her peaceful haze. As I step out of the room and make my way to join Paolo, the thrill of the morning clings to me, making me feel like a man who’s just conquered the world.

When I get in the car, the smirk Paolo throws me tells me he’s ready for his usual teasing.

“I thought I’d have to send in a rescue team,” he says as I slide in beside him.

“I don’t need rescuing from Nora.”

“No, not you—the poor woman. Ever since you discovered your functioning cock, I’m shocked she’s still able to walk.”

I shoot him a glare, but it’s half-hearted. He’s not entirely wrong; it’s nearly impossible to stop touching her or to keep myhands to myself. I glance down at those hands now, noting the strange duality: they’d held my wife this morning, brought her pleasure—and soon, I’ll use them for the work that feeds the darkness within me.

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