Page 97 of Of Oaths and Secrets

“And I’m proud of you,” I whisper, lost in his dark, smoldering eyes. He bends down, brushing his lips against mine in a kiss so soft that it steals my breath.

Without another word, he scoops me up, carrying me to the library. He settles us both onto the sofa, wrapping one arm around me and resting his other hand gently on my stomach. Just then, our baby kicks right where his hand is, and his face lights up with that same look of awe he wears every time he feels her move.

“She knows her daddy,” I say softly, placing my hand over his. “And she probably knows that when I’m in your arms, I feel cherished, safe—like all my worries just melt away.”

He doesn’t need to reply; he simply presses his forehead to mine, holding me close, his presence grounding and comforting.

After a long, quiet moment, I murmur, “Don’t you have to go back to work?”

He sighs, brushing his lips over mine. “I do… but I’m good right here.”

I smile, tracing my fingers along his jaw. “I need to prepare for my oral exam in the city tomorrow anyway.”

I feel him stiffen slightly, his hold tightening as he frowns. “What?”

“I’d like to come with you,” he says, his voice soft but filled with conviction.

“Don’t you have that big meeting with the other bosses tomorrow?”

“Yes,” he groans, frustration clear. “But the thought of you going into the city alone…”

I laugh, nudging him. “I won’t be alone! I’ll have my guard, I swear, and Lucia’s coming with me.”

He raises an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. “Oh, Lucia’s coming? Yes, that’s very reassuring,” he says, feigning relief.

“Hey, have you seen her nails? She could blind anyone with those things!”

He huffs, shaking his head, but a hint of a smile tugs at his lips.

“It’ll be fine,” I assure him. “I’ll do my presentation, and then Lucia and I have plans for lunch, maybe a mani-pedi. And we found this boutique with… let’s say, interesting lingerie for pregnant women. Unless you’d rather I didn’t?—”

“Oh no, you absolutely should go,” he says, his voice suddenly deeper, his eyes darkening with warmth. “Wife, I love every inch of you, especially now.”

Before I can reply, his lips press firmly against mine, each kiss deeper, more demanding, until my breath comes in soft gasps. His hand slips beneath the hem of my dress, fingers gliding up my thigh, and I feel the heat of his touch everywhere, building, making my skin come alive.

When his hand brushes higher, he pauses, and I see the realization dawn in his eyes. His mouth hovers over mine, his voice a husky murmur. “No panties?”

A blush rises to my cheeks, and I bite my lip, managing a whisper. “They’re… uncomfortable.”

He lets out a low, satisfied growl, his fingers slipping between my thighs, finding me wet and ready. “I see,” he says, his voice thick with desire. Without waiting, he slides one finger inside, and a soft moan escapes my lips. He moves slowly at first, savoring each reaction as he adds a second one, filling me, curling them just right.

The tension builds as he moves his fingers in a rhythm that leaves me breathless. His thumb circles my sensitive clit with perfect precision, drawing out sounds from me that I can’t control. I can’t tear my eyes from his gaze, intense and possessive, as if every shudder, every gasp, every movement of my hips belongs entirely to him.

“Let go,” he whispers, his voice thick and commanding. “I want you to fall apart right here, just for me.”

I gasp as his words push me even closer, my grip on his shoulders tightening. The pleasure builds, hotter, more consuming, until my body trembles and I come undone, every nerve tingling, my cries muffled against his shoulder.

He withdraws his hand slowly, his eyes dark with satisfaction, and holds his fingers up between us, slick with myrelease. Without breaking eye contact, he brings them to his mouth, licking them clean, savoring the taste. The look on his face sends another surge of warmth through me, and he leans close, his voice a deep, quiet promise.

“That should hold me over,” he says, his words a soft growl. “Until tonight. When I come home…” His lips brush my ear, his breath hot against my skin. “Be ready for me.”

My cheeks flush, my pulse still racing as his words settle over me. He presses one final kiss to my forehead, leaving me breathless, anticipation already building for tonight.

"In essence, the use of metaphor in Dante’sDivine Comedywas more than just poetic flourish; it was a way to address the moral decay of society under a thin veil, granting him a means to challenge authority without direct confrontation. This layered communication is what made his work so influential—and dangerous—throughout Italian literary history."

There’s a brief pause, and then Professor Moretti smiles, leaning forward. “Well done, Nora. Your analysis of Dante’s impact is both insightful and refreshingly original. It’s not often we see this level of depth.”

A sense of relief washes over me, and I nod, grateful for the acknowledgment. “Thank you, Professor.”

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