Page 125 of Precious Hazard

“If you thought I’d make this easy for you, you’re ohsovery wrong, darling.” I smile against his mouth. “You’ll have to earn thatyes,this time.” I graze his lower lip with my teeth. “The ring is pretty, though. I’ll take it.”

Epilogue

Several months later

Milene Ajello’s birthday bash

New York

Can’t fucking believe she saidno. Again.

I don’t break our kiss as I kick the bathroom door shut and then lock it.

“Something tells me the don won’t be pleased with us ditching his wife’s party,” Tara says breathlessly while fumbling with my belt.

“I’ll apologize for not giving a fuck.” Wrapping my arms around her waist, I carry her toward the vanity counter.

“You might want to reconsider your attitude there, darling. After all, you have to stay on his good side so he won’t be too pissed about you delegating the review of all the business docs to me.”

“Ajello already knows. He even mentioned he’ll be dumping his own shit on you, too.” I crush my mouth to hers. “Now, no more work talk. All I want right now is to fuck my wife senseless.”

“Ex-wife.”

I growl. She just loves bringing this shit up. It annoys the crap out of me, and she knows it. She also knows thattechnicallyour divorce was never finalized because I refused to file the papers. None of that stopped me from trying to win over my wife. I’ve wooed her, dated her, made all her favorite meals, which she now has no problem indulging in night after night, and continually tried to convince her to accept my marriage proposal. No coercion this time. Just my love.

Including my initial attempt at the hospital, I’ve tried my luck exactly nineteen times. Regardless of the time, date, or place, the answer has beenno,no,no.

I tried it during thePreslavacelebration at her brother’s place, figuring that asking her in front of her crazy family and friends would do the trick.Preslavais basically another version of theSlavabut with fewer guests. Still included the pig roast, unfortunately. Nevertheless, I went down on one knee and asked Tara to marry me in front of fifty people. She declined. But she kept the ring. Frustrating woman. The day spiraled into a bit of a disaster after that. While trying to romance my wife, I sort of abandoned my duties as the pig roaster. The thing ended up burned to a crisp. Which led to Drago and me exchanging blows in the middle of the party tent, and we managed to knock over and roll around in the cake Keva made for the occasion. It didn’t really matter who came out on top. I think everyone just enjoyed the entertainment, as if we were a couple of clowns there to amuse the crowd. Someone started a list of requests for the next family event.

That forced me to change tactics. The next time I gave proposing another shot was while we were having dinner at one of Tara’s favorite restaurants in Manhattan. I was sure that a more upscale place would make her more receptive, especially if it reminded her of something out of those books she likes toread. I even hired a string quartet to play her favorite song in the background. People around us cheered and clapped as she beamed that maddeningly beautiful smile at me. But that noise quickly died down with her resoundingno.

My follow-up crack at asking her to marry me was at the opera, during the intermission between the first two acts. Then, at the local bookstore as she browsed in the historical smut section. The movie theater. In front of the lingerie shop.

No, Arturo.No.No, and stop interrupting the movie. No. You’re causing a scene.

Nineteen fucking times! I’ve poured my heart out while down on one knee. Every attempt was met with a negative answer. But each time, she made sure to accept the ring. At this point, I have a standing order with my jeweler in Rome. A new, custom-made emerald ring every couple of weeks.

All the engagement rings I’ve presented her with are lined up on top of our bedroom dresser, in our newly rebuilt home. They are a sad testament to all my failed attempts at convincing Tara to choose me. Each time I look at them, I can’t decide if I want to laugh or kill someone. My only salvation? She’s never taken off my original ring. Or the wedding band I gave her. Both are always present on her dainty finger.

“No hickeys,” Tara mumbles into my neck. “And please, try not to ruin my outfit this time.”

“I make no promises.”

The pink dress she’s wearing is close-fitting, but somehow, I manage to pull the hem up to her waist without tearing the fabric. No panties. Perfect. I deposit her naked ass on the marble and pull out my cock.

“Maybe I should just fuck you until you’re mindless and pliant.” Her hair is a waterfall of gorgeous waves, reaching halfway down her back, all soft and silky. As I fist a handful at the back of her head, the strands slip through my fingers. “I should push you to the edge and simply keep you there until you sayyesto my proposal,yesto marrying me all over again.”

A wicked smile spreads across her lips, and I’m once more bewildered by how fucking breathtaking she is.

“Interesting strategy.” Gripping the edge of the counter, she leans back and spreads her legs wide. “You should most certainly try it, darling.”

“Maybe I will.” I thrust inside her in one smooth motion. Home. Fucking bliss.

Her skin is so silky under my palm as I trail the delicate column of her throat. Perfect. Bloody perfect. Just like the whole of her. Angling my hips, I plunge deeper, then pull out, leaving only a fraction of an inch. She loves it when I pound into her mercilessly, retreating almost completely before driving back in.

Not tonight, though. Tonight, I’m going to get her to agree to marry me even if it makes my poor aching dick explode in the end. Her pulse picks up under my fingertips, and I sense the rapid rise and fall of her chest.Yes, baby, yes.

Gliding my other hand up her thigh, I slip it between our bodies, running my fingers over the folds of her pussy, up to her sweet swollen clit. Such a sensitive little spot, pulsing with each stroke of my thumb. Tara is so damn wet, the slapping of our flesh fills the room. Loud and lewd. I love it. The smell of her arousal is making me crazy. Hungry. Yearning for more. I pick up my pace, thrusting faster, but pulling back when I feel her getting too close to the precipice.

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