Page 43 of His Fantasy Bride (Things To Do Before You Die)

She deserved this.

She certainly didn’t deserve Vito and any sort of happy ever after.

Part of her, deep down, understood that she should call him up and tell him not to come. She didn’t know if she had the strength to go through the night with the lies between them. But she wanted him so much.

It would be her good-bye gift to him.

After the show she slipped back into the red dress and shoes. As she pushed open the stage door, Vito’s car pulled up and her breath hitched. He climbed out of the back and held the door for her.

She was just about to get in when a small figure appeared at the head of the alleyway—Theresa.

“Just a moment,” she said to Vito and then hurried across to her friend.

“Luca called me. He said he’d seen you with Vito.” Theresa sounded breathless. “I came right over. My brother’s an asshole.” She took a final step and wrapped her arms around her. “Aw, sweetheart, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause trouble. It never occurred to me that Luca would come here. But he was genuinely concerned for you, so I told him you were working and doing great and… He feels guilty, and rightly so. He should never have put you up to this. He should…” She trailed off, gave her another hug, and then stepped back. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Vito didn’t recognize him.”

Theresa looked at her with narrowed eyes. “Youstillhaven’t told him.”

“I’ll stick to the plan and tell him tomorrow.”

“And you’re going with him now?”

She nodded.

Theresa bit her lip. “Come home, instead. I’m on the night shift, but I’ll call in sick. You can cry on my shoulder.”

“I don’t need to cry. Go to work. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“I don’t like this.” She sighed. “But…call me if you need me.” Theresa leaned across and kissed her on the cheek. “Keep safe.” And then she was gone.

“What was that about?” Vito asked as she climbed into the car.

“Nothing.”No more lies.

“Are you okay?”

She turned to face him. “It’s been a long night. I’m tired that’s all. But I want this. I want to be alone with you.”

“Okay. But tomorrow, we talk.”

They didn’t speak again until they got to the hotel. Vito held her close to his side as they rode up in the elevator. As soon as the hotel door closed behind them, he turned to her, taking the final step so his chest brushed against the tips of her breasts and pleasure shot through her, coalescing at her center. She held herself very still.

Don’t stop.

This wasn’t right. She didn’t deserve this. But she could not take a step away.

His hands skimmed her waist, then lower. He hooked his fingers under the hem of her dress and smoothly dragged it up over her hips, tugged it over her breasts, and then over her head, tossing it on the sofa behind them.

She swallowed at the hunger in his eyes. The cloak of civilization appeared to have dropped away. His expression was raw, filled with a need he’d been hiding so well until this moment.

She stood in her high heels and the scarlet-and-black lace underwear.

“If I’d known what was underneath, I wouldn’t have been able to restrain myself over dinner,” he murmured, his gaze wandering over her, tightening her nipples and the muscles in her belly.

She stood waiting, shifting from foot to foot as the anticipation built. Then she held her breath as his hands went to the front of his shirt. He flicked open the buttons, baring the olive skin of his chest, the lean muscle of his abdomen. He tugged it out of his pants, and her breath caught, then he shrugged out of it and threw it on top of her dress, leaving him naked from the waist up.

He reached into his pocket and drew out a couple of foil packets, tossing her a grin. “Since that morning, I’ve never gone anywhere without condoms.” Dropping them on the table, he turned back to her. He seemed so happy, and guilt ate at her.

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