Chapter Twenty Four: Intimacy

Ryker POV
Her eyes widened, those red lips falling open. “I… I’m not… I…” She bit her lower lip and looked away. The moonlight highlighted her smooth skin, unblemished and soft-looking.
“Will you look at me?”
She raised her eyes. I ran my thumb over her fingers to the ring, and she shivered slightly. “This ring makes you mine.”
She tensed, and I realized I should have chosen different wording, something that didn’t sound like I was a Neanderthal about to claim her, not that it wasn’t true. I would claim her tonight, if only to follow traditions we both couldn’t evade, and she was mine, but that wasn’t what I meant to say. I wasn’t sure what to say to set her at ease. Nine and I hadn’t talked much. She’d screamed or cried and sometimes talked sweetly when she wanted something.
“Tradition binds us, Aurora . Not just you, but also me.”
I’d sworn to protect her, like a husband was supposed to protect his wife, and I would do my best to do a better job this time.
“I know of our traditions,” she said quickly, embarrassed.
“I’m not talking about the bloody sheets.”
She swallowed. “What are you talking about, then?” “That, as my wife, you’re also entitled to my protection.” Aurora tilted her head, regarding me curiously. “Okay.”

I wasn’t sure if I got my point across, but I’d never been a man of many words when feelings were concerned. I’d do my best to treat her right.

Silence fell over us. I could tell that Aurora wanted to say something, perhaps even wanted me to say more, but I remained silent. I didn’t know my young wife and had no clue what she did all day except for shopping and meeting other women. She was a teenager, and I was not. I hadn’t even acted like one when I’d been her age.

“Let’s return. Our guests are waiting. It’s almost midnight.” She tensed, but followed me inside.

Luca’s uncles—my fellow Underbosses that I couldn’t stand—were the first to demand I bed my wife.

Aurora and I stood with my sisters and her parents when the first shout cut through the music.
Appreciative roars and clapping followed and then a chorus of “bed her” came from most of the men.
Aurora ’s father and brother did not take part in it. Christian gave me a look that bordered on threatening. At another time, I would have reacted accordingly to that kind of disrespect. Now wasn’t the time, however. He was a braver man than his father. I had to give it to him.

Aurora clutched her wine glass and gave my sister Mia an embarrassed smile.
Mia hugged me tightly. “Don’t make me kick your ass, big brother. Be good to that girl. She’s such a cutie.”
I untangled myself from my sister. I would not discuss my sex life with

her.
Felix gave me a hard look, but we both knew that whatever went on tonight was no longer his responsibility. He certainly loved his daughter, but he also loved power, and if he had to choose between the two…

I turned to my wife, tired of everyone shoving their noses into our marriage. Aurora gave me a shy look, her cheeks red. I held out my hand, and she took it without hesitation. Her palms were sweaty. “Are you ready to go upstairs?” I murmured, bending down so only she could hear me.

She swallowed, but nodded.

I turned to our families. “If you’ll excuse us?”
Before Aurora and I could take our leave, Egidia hugged her daughter once more and whispered something in her ear that drove a fierce blush into my wife’s cheeks.
Wine glass still clutched in her hand, she allowed me to lead her away. Again, we didn’t talk. I considered saying something reassuring, but the truth was there was nothing to say, and I wasn’t a man for those kinds of words anyway.
Aurora took a sip of her wine. She was on her fifth glass at least. “What did your mother say?” I asked to fill the tense silence between us

as we took the elevator up to our suite for the night. The door slid open, and we stepped out.
Another sip. I stopped and took the glass from her. If she was intoxicated, I’d have to fake those fucking bloodstains after all. “That’s enough.”
“It’s ginger ale.”
I took a sip from the glass, surprised.
Aurora fumbled with the tiny white purse slung over her shoulder. “I only had one glass of sparkling wine at the reception. I didn’t want to be drunk.” Those big blue eyes hit me.
“What did your mother say?” I asked again, leading her the rest of the way to the suite. I unlocked the door.
Aurora pursed her lips. “That I should please you and try to mask my inexperience.” She let out a huff. “Right now, I’m just trying not to pass out from fear.”
Her eyes widened.
I opened the door and motioned for Aurora to go in. I followed and then we were alone in our suite. The living area was vast with two sofas and a dining table, where I set down her glass. It wasn’t a room we’d use, but it was custom to take the biggest suite of the hotel even if all we required was a bedroom. I looked down at my young wife, who’d just been vulnerably honest with me.
“You don’t have to be afraid, Aurora . We have all night.”
Aurora glanced around, her eyes lingering on the door to the left leading to our bedroom. “Do you think drawing it out will make it better?”

I wasn’t sure what would help Aurora . “Tell me what would help ease your fears.”
She considered that. “If it felt like I had a choice.” “You have a choice,” I said, stepping close to her.

“Do I?” she whispered, peering up at me. “Will you really allow me a choice?”
I wanted her to have a choice. But I wouldn’t show weakness, not in front of Luca, not after I’d already displayed such during our meeting. He wouldn’t have reason to doubt me. Not even my wife’s pretty face and her cute smile could soften my resolve. But a nonexistent choice could still feel like a choice.
“I know what’s expected, Ryker . I know what it would mean for you and my father if we don’t present sheets in the morning.” She swallowed.
I touched her arm, feeling her warmth seep through the thin fabric. “Then make it your choice.”
She searched my eyes. “Okay,” she said quietly.
Relief filled me at her reasonability. At least that distinguished her from my late wife. She surprised me when she headed to the bedroom without prompting. I followed a couple of steps behind her. For the first time, I allowed myself to see her as a woman—something I’d avoided at all costs until now but was a necessity for tonight.

The dress accentuated her narrow waist and the beautiful curve of her hips and butt. Arriving in the bedroom, Aurora stopped and glanced over her shoulder. Despite her obvious nerves, she smiled before she set her purse down on the bench in front of the king-sized bed. Her eyes rested on it for a moment, her blush deepening, then she cleared her throat.

I moved closer to her. Her strawberry scent wafted into my nose, making me wonder if she’d taste just as sweet as her choice in perfume suggested. I took in the intricate lace of her long-sleeved bodice, lingering on the swell of her breasts.
“I have to cut you out of your dress,” I said as I unsheathed my knife from the holster at my chest. Another tradition we couldn’t evade.

She regarded the blade with a small frown before she nodded. Turning around, she tilted her head to the side so her hair wasn’t covering the lace top of her back. Her throat was long and elegant, perfectly unblemished, and I had to resist the urge to press my mouth to it and Ryker her as mine. Sparing her had appeared easier when we hadn’t been married yet. That I

had ever considered it an option seemed ludicrous now. She shifted her face and peered up at me through long lashes, nerves in her eyes.

“Everything okay?” she asked quietly.
“Of course,” I clipped, my voice harsher than intended because I was annoyed at myself. She averted her eyes and stiffened.
An apology teased the tip of my tongue. It never passed. I slid my finger below the lace to lift it off her skin. Goose bumps pimpled every inch of her body when I touched her soft skin. I brought the knife down and cut through the undoubtedly expensive fabric. The resulting hiss made Aurora jump. I stepped back the moment the knife reached her skirt.

Aurora pulled her dress down slowly, her back to me, and I couldn’t look away as she revealed inch over inch of her smooth back. She was topless and only wearing a very skimpy white lace thong. My eyes rested on her perfect ass cheeks, round globes I wanted to sink my teeth into and bury my cock in, a cock that was growing hard watching her.

“Is it okay if I freshen up?”