RHEA'S POV.The Plaza is an iconic hotel in New York. Located at the busy intersection of Central Park and Fifth Avenue, it almost feels like it's the center of the world. No one could deny the history and elegance of this setting.Looking up at the impressive French Renaissance-inspired chateau style building under a clear blue sky and golden sun took my breath away. We arrived at the front entrance, my eyes sweeping over the rusticated marble façade at the base and traveling up to the white brick on the upper stories. If the hotel's prestigious location didn't bring it to acclaim, the detailing of the mansard roof would.Aleksander wanted the best for our reception. As the youngest billionaire in the city, a sense of pride came with this event. The Makalov family was well known, and the name fell on me now. We could have gotten married and partied anywhere and I would have been happy. I had no prior ideas of grandeur, yet I wouldn't complain about the lavish celebration.This was th
Aleksander took my hand in his. The mask on my features wavered at the glowing delight in his eyes. That grin bringing out his dimples made my stomach dip dangerously. "What are you thinking about, baby?"I placed my hand on his shoulder as the first notes of the song came to life. "I can't believe you made us late. "Me?" A chuckle flew past his lips. Aleksander took the first step, leading the dance. We moved together fluidly. As if our bones and blood and sinew were made of music.Dancing came so naturally to me I didn't need to think about the steps. Once we were twirling over the floor, I completely forgot about the hundreds of people intently watching our every move. They, too, knew the importance of this tradition. Our first dance as husband and wife."Yes. You," I affirmed with a pout."Nah, baby. You're not getting away with that fake innocence anymore." Aleksander made a show of spinning me around. Our guests hollered and clapped as his powerful arms caught me and promptly di
Annika made me feel welcomed and Aleksander made me feel wanted. Somewhere along the way, it must have rubbed off on Nikolai. He let go of whatever displeasure weighed him down, allowing himself to smile at my jokes. In such a brief span of time, they filled the family shaped hole in my heart.Never a replacement for what I'd lost, but something new to ease the pain.I grabbed a bubbling glass of champagne after spinning in circles on the dance floor. A slower song played, and I the opportunity to hide in a corner and catch my breath. Through the empty tables, I found Ricky and Devin swaying in a tender embrace on the dance floor. Nearby, Aleksander led his aunt in a dance. Her head fell back with mirth as she cackled at something he said."Excuse me." An unfamiliar male voice snuck into my ear.I lowered the glass from my lips seconds away from taking a sip. Something about the cold air at my side sent a nasty shiver shooting down the length of my spine. Cautiously, I angled my head
ALEKSANDRER'S POV I fucked up. I knew I fucked up. In more ways than one.After months of calm, I foolishly believed that nothing could go wrong on our big day. It didn't matter that we still had Makalov's security watching the hotel. Luca fucking Genovese wormed his way inside. He cornered Rhea and frightened her right under my nose.Worse than that-I'd scared her. Barking an order at her as if she was one of my underlings. The hurt in her eyes reminded me of a kicked puppy, yet somehow worse. So much worse. And the tears on her face as my aunt protected her, not from Luca, from me- utterly broke me.Our wedding day was supposed to end in hours of fucking in the bridal suite. I had detailed plans of peeling off her dress with my teeth and listening to her moan until the sun rose.Rhea didn't talk to me as we boarded a last-minute flight. Her eyes wouldn't drift in my direction. Sitting next to her in silence on the long flight to Sicily drove me mad.I couldn't allow our wedding nig
"You could make up for yelling at me by helping me relax." Under the blanket, she deliberately spread her legs wider. My eyes flared, but I couldn't move. Rhea readjusted my arm for me, lifting it over her head and pulling it under the blanket.Her soft, perky breasts pressed into the back of my arm as she guided my hand between her warm thighs. I came back to life as the fabric of her leggings brushed against my hand. The heat from her pussy caused my dick to twitch with excitement."Can you be quiet, baby?"She drew her bottom lip into her mouth. Her eyes closed when I pushed my hand under the waistband of her leggings. Rhea nuzzled her face into my shoulder, feeling the moment I sucked in a sharp breath.I drew a finger along her slit and found her already wet. Sticky arousal coated my finger when I inserted it. Her hips lifted under the blanket to give easier access. It forced me to hold my breath, otherwise I might have thrown subtly out the window.Rhea gripped my arm tight to h
RHEA'S POV Our plane landed in Italy in the midafternoon. After the nine-hour flight and time change, my body was more jet-lagged than I'd ever been before. But I was back on speaking terms with Aleksander, refusing to start our honeymoon on the wrong foot.We arrived in Naples with a chauffeur already waiting for us. It didn't take much to convince Aleksander to grab me an espresso drink before leaving the airport. If he wanted to start all the excitement as soon as our feet touched the ground, I needed a caffeine boost.I didn't know how he seemed so alert without resting on the plane.Sometimes I swore he had the internal batteries of an energizer bunny.With a latte in hand, I joined my husband in the back of the black SUV. Massive sunglasses blocked the brilliant sunshine from my exhausted eyes. The nap on the plane didn't help as much as I needed it to.What truly woke me up on the half hour drive to our first destination was the expanse of land flying past the windows. I'd nev
The Amalfi coast of Italy is scattered with medieval villages that seem impossibly draped from the cliffs over the coast. That view only became increasingly dramatic as the dome of the sky darkened overhead. Riding through the winding streets was a thrill on its own. The scene through the windows was a photographer's dream.Our driver pulled up to a staggering villa under the cover of night. Smooth sand-colored walls with multiple floors built on the hillside took my breath away. Over the ledge of the front driveway, one level down, a soft back door light revealed a covered terrace. On the level below that was a private pool and a small garden, all built on the cliff side to face the ocean scenery.In the morning, I knew the sunlight would reveal the vast ocean view below us. For now, I couldn't see where the twinkling stars in the night sky ended, and the glittering black waves of the ocean began.Aleksander's voice startled me out of my reverie. "Tomorrow, we'll have a private chef
"Alright." A wicked gleam rose to life in his eyes.My hands traveled from the chair to his chest. Aleksander relaxed his shoulders and settled back into the seat when I placed my palms on his warm skin. The toned muscles beneath tensed under my explorative touch.The sight of Aleksander always made my blood burn. Standing between his thighs and skimming my hands lightly over his powerfully built chest and stomach almost made me abandon my idea. A fluttering between my legs encouraged me to straddle him right there.I curled my hands over his shoulders. Aleksander's lips parted as I leaned down. At the last second, I angled my face from his. I rubbed my cheek over the short scruff along his jaw. "Tonight, you're going to make up for what happened at the reception."Aleksander jerked in the chair. His eyes burned into the side of my face. "You know I'd do anything for you. Tell me what you want."Warming confidence flowed through me. I stood taller, rising to my full height. A salaciou