1,491Well, Hello My Friends!
Long time no see ;)
So, I have an ulterior motive for updating this story (those of you following me on Facebook may already know what it is). Forgive me for using this platform for advertising, but I honestly have no idea how else to get the word out to all my readers.
For those of you who love my mafia stories, especially La Bellissima, I have some awesome news...
My new original fiction All or Nothing (By K. Lauren) is being released on Amazon this week! It is already available for pre-sale!
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Thank you all so much for your continued support! Enjoy a bonus chapter of Stronger than Blood!
Chapter 25
BPOV
A golden hue spread warmth through the lobby of the Bulgari Hotel in Rome. Rolling my neck, I relieved the ache in my muscles. Despite the luxury the Cullen's private jet provided, the nine-hour flight from Chicago took its toll on my body.
As the sun set over the city, my husband checked in at the front desk. Italian rolled off his tongue and sent a shiver of want down my spine.
Will I ever get enough of this? Enough of him?
No. I don't think I will.
"Ready?" Edward asked, returning to my side as bellhops collected our luggage.
As I nestled into his side, a smile formed on my lips. His muscles flexed as he lifted an arm, settling it over my shoulders. I lost myself in his warmth and the scent of musk and citrus from his cologne.
I was almost too tired to appreciate the elegance of the five-star establishment. The modern decor was mixed with wood tones and replicas of old-world art. Never in my life had I dreamed I would stay somewhere so grand.
But that was my new reality.
As Mrs. Edward Cullen, I was afforded everything money could buy.
"Are you tired?" My husband leaned close and whispered in my ear as the elevator doors closed.
"Not yet. Just weary from travel."
With a kiss to my temple, he asked, "How does a bath sound?"
"Fantastic." I sighed in contentment.
It shouldn't have surprised me when Edward led me down a private hall on the top floor toward a room with a placard that read Suite Presidenziale, presidential suite. Nor should it have surprised me when he swept me in his arms, bridal style, to cross the threshold into the suite.
I giggled in pleasure as he dropped my feet to the ground. The heels of my ballet flats made a quiet click on the marble floor. Looking around the room, I took a sharp inhale of breath.
On the far wall, the city of Rome spread out behind wide French doors for our viewing pleasure. Lights twinkled from windows and streetlamps as the sun dipped below the horizon.
"God, it's beautiful." I gasped, moving closer. "Look at the architecture."
Edward traced his fingers against the small of my back as he reached for a door handle. "Go out on the balcony. You can see more from there. I'll grab us some champagne."
A warm breeze caressed my skin as I approached a wrought iron railing. My hands curled over the metal, anchoring me, because without the connection, I was sure I would drift away into a dream.
"Here." Edward returned, handing me a crystal champagne flute. He held his up in a toast. "To married life and the adventures it will bring."
After clinking his glass, I hid my grin as I lifted mine, pressing it against my lips. Adventures were definitely headed our way.
He wasn't watching me. The last bits of daylight caught in his emerald eyes as he looked over the city.
I placed my champagne on a table at our side. "You said something about a bath?"
His mouth quirked at the side and curled into a smirk. "Impatient to undress?"
"Always."
He was easy to convince. Gripping my hand in his, he tugged me inside as his free hand undid the buttons on his shirt.
The bathroom was as glorious as every other part of the suite. Its deep freestanding tub was in the center of the room, and windows on two of the walls allowed us to continue admiring Rome's beauty.
As I slipped out of my shoes, Edward turned the faucet, filling the tub with warm water. Wordlessly, I turned my back to him and peeked over my shoulder, encouraging him to undo my zipper.
"So beautiful," he whispered as his touch ghosted along my skin.
I slipped out of the cream-colored fabric until it pooled at my feet, and I stepped forward, my bridal lingerie on display.
Edward couldn't tear his eyes away from the sheer white lace of my bra and thong. The set was innocent yet provocative, meant for seduction.
He ripped his shirt from his body, exposing the taut muscles of his abdomen and the strength of his shoulders. I couldn't help it as my tongue traced along my bottom lip and saliva pooled in my mouth.
With a flick of his hand, Edward undid his belt. As if beckoned to him, I reached out and took hold of the button on his slacks.
For a moment, we stood still, breathing deeply and gazing into each other's eyes.
I found love and devotion in his, plus a feral need to claim what's his.
Who was I to deny him that right?
I undid his pants button as he reached behind me to unhook my bra. As his slacks slipped down, the straps of my bra loosened, and my breasts spilled out.
With urgency, Edward aided the lace, dragging it down my arms and flinging it away. His dexterous fingers found my nipples, pinching and tugging with expertise.
Moaning in pleasure, I allowed my hand to explore his body, tracing the V of his hips until I found his erection, straining against the fabric of his briefs. I slid my hand under the fabric and took his member into a firm grasp, eliciting a sharp hiss in return.
"Get in the bath." With hands on my upper arms, Edward guided me toward the tub. Our sensuous exploration halted for the moment.
I slipped out of my thong before dipping a toe in the water. It was perfect, warm, and soothing, with the scent of lavender bath salts filling the air.
As Edward removed his briefs, I sank into the bath, the tension in my body instantly relieved.
I splashed water over my shoulders while Edward took the space behind me, his legs stretched on either side of mine, so I was cradled between them.
"Scoot back," he demanded, wrapping an arm under my breasts. He guided me, placing my back against his chest. "Do you feel that, Amore?"
"I feel you," I said, adjusting my position so that his erection rubbed against the contour of my cheeks.
"No, that's my body's reaction." He dipped his head, nose tracing my neck and urging my head to fall against his shoulder. "There's so much more. How my heart beats for you, and every ounce of my being yearns for you. Can you feel that? The need I have deep inside me? I'd do anything for you, Bella."
With a tear threatening to spill out, I turned in his grasp and settled my knees on either side of his hips so I was straddling him. "I love you, Edward."
"I love you so damn much."
His hands cradled my face as his lips met mine. His kiss was deep and slow, filled with passion and a love so intense I felt like my heart would burst.
As our mouths danced and tongues met, I adjusted above him, lining his swollen tip against my entrance.
"Make love to me, Edward. As your wife."
"You're mine." His words escaped in a breathless plea as I sank onto him.
We rocked against each other as night fell, and the lights of Rome danced in our periphery. He stretched me wide, filling me to the brim as we clung to each other in need. He carried me over the edge first, his name falling from my lips in a cry.
When he came, he held my hips against his pelvis, spilling deep inside me, each pulse sent an aftershock through my body.
We remained locked in each other's embrace, catching our breaths for minutes afterward. Making love to my new husband was the most beautiful experience of my life, one I wanted to hold onto forever.
Eventually, the bath turned cold, and we were forced to leave. Edward retrieved plush towels for both of us, wrapping me in mine before drying himself off.
"Are you hungry? We haven't eaten in hours?" He asked, leading me into the bedroom.
"I could eat." I shrugged, spotting my luggage on a stand near the closet. "Should I get dressed to go out?"
"It's been a long day. How about room service?"
"Sounds like a plan." Thrilled to be able to dress down, I unzipped my suitcase and retrieved a sleep set—silky pale pink shorts with a matching button-down top. I checked over my shoulder to ensure Edward was occupied before slipping a surprise into my pocket. One I had been waiting until our honeymoon to give him.
As I brushed my hair at the vanity, Edward rattled off a list of room service entrees that all sounded amazing. "You pick," I told him. Everything on that menu sounds delicious."
I grabbed a robe from the closet as he placed our order, then wandered into the living area.
A vase full of white flowers was displayed on the dining table. I traced my finger along a petal, enjoying the sweet scent.
"They're Madonna Lillies," Edward said, appearing at my side. "They symbolize purity and innocence."
Looking at him, I couldn't hold back my laugh at the mischief twinkling in his eyes.
"How ironic."
"Well, I'm pretty sure there aren't any flowers that symbolize crime and corruption." He grinned and took my hand, kissing the back of it. "Want to sit while we wait?"
"Sure."
"More champagne?" He asked, lifting the bottle from an ice bucket as I settled onto a loveseat.
"Oh." My lip caught between my teeth. "The day is catching up with me. I'm not sure that's a good idea."
"Come on. You can handle one drink." The devilish smirk, the one that always got Edward his way, made an appearance. But for once, I couldn't give in.
"Actually, I think it might." Nerves building, I turned in my seat, slipping one leg underneath me. "Come sit with me."
With a champagne flute of his own, Edward crossed the room and took his place at my side. He stretched his arm along the back of the loveseat, allowing his fingers to play with my damp hair.
His eyebrow quirked after he took a sip from his glass. "Something is up with you."
"What do you mean?" My tongue pressed against my teeth. Was it time to tell him?
"You're fidgeting." He placed the glass down and gestured to where my hands rested in my lap. I realized I was picking at a thumbnail. "And you look like your brain is running a mile a minute." He placed his finger between my brows to smooth away a worry line.
"I have a surprise." I started. "But I'm not sure if you'll like it."
"Oh?" With his head tilted, he waved his hand as if to say, "Tell me already."
"Um." I fumbled in my pocket, retrieving the small slip of paper I packed away back in Chicago. "So, you know how I was feeling run down a few weeks ago, and I thought it was just wedding stress?"
"Yeah." Concern was evident in his frown as his stare lingered on the object in my hands.
"Well, it was a little more than that."
With a steadying breath, I handed over the object and watched Edward's expression go from concern to shock to pure elation.
"Holy shit. Does this mean…"
"We're going to have a baby." My eyes watered joyfully as Edward jumped forward, engulfing me in his arms.
He repeatedly chanted, "I love you," into my hair between kisses to my cheeks, lips, and crown—anywhere he could reach.
"Is it a boy? A girl?" He asked, hand settling on the slight bump of my abdomen.
"It's too early to tell," I said, gesturing to the sonogram. "Right now, it's a tiny peanut with arms, legs, and a heartbeat."
"It has a heartbeat?" His awe is palpable as he soaks in every aspect of the image. "We have to call my family. You know my mother will be ecstatic, and my sister will have bought out every baby store before we get home."
"Edward, it's two a.m. at home." I laughed. "Let's keep this to ourselves just for tonight."
With a contented smile, Edward brushed a thumb against my cheekbone and relaxed into the loveseat.
"I love you, Bella." He said, before his gaze dropped. "And I love you, little peanut."
"Oh, God, that's corny." I swatted his shoulder as I rolled my eyes.
"Alright. Fine." He sent me a fabricated glare. "I love you, baby. I can't wait to welcome you to the world."
With a lingering kiss and his hand protectively placed against my stomach, Edward showed me he was more than ready to be a father.
A new responsibility would come with our announcement. One both of us were prepared to face.
Edward would become the head of the Cullen family enterprises, and as his wife, I would stand by his side.
"Are you ready for this?" I asked, knowing our life would change immensely.
His eyes locked on mine, and with a smile on his face, he sat tall in his seat, the mafia boss and CEO in him taking charge.
"Bella, I'm ready for anything as long as I have you by my side."
A/N: (Please read the note at the beginning if you skipped it for important info about upcoming stories!)
That's all she wrote for right now. If you're one of my fabulous readers waiting for an update to Honeysuckle, please support my writing by reading All or Nothing for the time being. As soon as I've got enough support for my original fiction, I plan to update that story—one thing at a time.
You guys are amazing! Thank you!