Falling for Her Husband: The Renaldis, Book 3 Read online

  She spread her legs even farther as he moved down, his hands clamping the inside of her thighs. She was damp, glistening with want and he bent his head, nuzzling her there with his nose and making her whimper. He wanted to tease her, to drive her wild and make her wait but he knew his time would be limited.

  Because he knew that soon his wife would become quite demanding.

  Darting out his tongue, he licked her, making her whimper. He searched her folds thoroughly, lingering on the spots he knew would make her shudder. She sank her hands in his hair, holding him to her as he slipped first one, then two fingers deep inside her. A gasp escaped her when he drew her clit into his mouth and she panted, moving against him, lifting her hips.

  “God, that feels so good,” she whispered as he lifted his gaze to find her watching him devour her.

  His cock ached to be inside her, but he wanted to make her come first. He returned his attention to her sex, licking and sucking, increasing the pace of his fingers. She moved with him, her breasts bouncing, her back arching as she lifted up. He loved watching her like this, so greedy and lost. He slipped one hand beneath her ass and gripped her, squeezing and teasing as he flicked his tongue over her clit again and again.

  Until she was melting, crying out as she thrashed beneath him, his name falling from her lips. He kept his mouth on her through her orgasm, gentling his touch until finally she collapsed onto the bed, her chest rising and falling with her rapid breaths, her legs tangled around his head, her heels pressing against his back.

  “Well,” he said dryly. “That was quick.”

  She opened her eyes and burst out laughing, slowly shaking her head. “I swear, since I’ve become pregnant you can look at me and I spontaneously orgasm.”

  He moved up until he was lying beside her, sliding his arms around her waist. “I had no idea I was that powerful.”

  “Oh, you’re magical,” she murmured against his lips just before she kissed him.

  Her husband was magical. Who else could give her such bone-melting orgasms in a matter of minutes? God, his mouth and tongue were like precious gifts created to just get her off.

  Amber slapped her hand over her mouth, stifling the laughter that wanted to escape. Where did she get such thoughts? She was losing her mind. She had to be. That was the only explanation.

  “What are you laughing about?” Vince touched her, tracing the side of her face with his index finger.

  “You don’t want to know,” she answered when she dropped her hand, moving so she could kiss him on the lips. She could taste herself, but it didn’t bother her. It never had.

  More like it totally aroused her.

  He pulled her to him so they were lying side by side. She could feel his erection brush against her belly and she reached for him, curling her fingers around the base of his cock. He surged her into her hand when she squeezed and just like that, she wanted him inside of her. “Keep that up and I’ll come all over your fingers,” he growled.

  “Ooh, that sounds fun,” she teased, earning another growl from him for her comment. She laughed, stroking him as she did so and she watched in fasciation as his gaze darkened and his expression turned thunderous.

  She would know that look anywhere. Her husband was aroused. Ready to take her.

  And she was ready to let him have her.

  “Don’t tease, woman,” he warned. “I mean what I say.”

  “Then you better get inside me quick, shouldn’t you?”

  The man needed no prompting. He rolled over so she was flat on her back once more and he hovered above her. She spread her legs, her entire body tingling when she felt the blunt head of his cock brush against her center. Slowly, carefully he entered her, until he was balls-deep inside of her. She stared up at him as he closed his eyes and seemed to hold his breath, his lips pressed tightly together.

  “Christ you feel good,” he said, his voice raw with emotion. “Are you sure I’m not hurting you or the baby?”

  “Of course not. Don’t worry,” she said, wrapping her arms around him so she could cling to him. She ran her hands down his smooth, well muscled back, settling them on his backside and pressing down so he slid even deeper inside her. They both groaned at the sensation and she wrapped her legs around his hips, anchoring herself to him.

  “Take me, Vince,” she whispered as he gathered her up in his arms, holding her close. “Fuck me hard.”

  “Jesus, woman, are you trying to undo me?” he muttered as he started to move faster.

  She threw her head back against the pillow with a smile, her eyes sliding closed as she became lost to the sensation of her husband’s thick cock moving inside her. “Yes. It’s only fair, you know.” Her voice caught when he hit a particular spot and she shivered, her entire body tensing for a brief, hanging moment. She was so close to coming again—it was like a little miracle. “You completely undo me, so I thought I’d return the favor.”

  He picked up his pace, thrusting in and out of her, their damp with sweat skin slapping against each other, the bed rocking beneath them as he rocked within her. Vince fucked her hard, just as she asked, her body moving up the mattress as he pounded inside her. He was close, just as close as she and when he reached between their bodies, his finger finding her clit at just the precise moment. His touch sent her right over the edge.

  Amber shattered, her whimpers mingling with his hoarse cries as he came deep inside her. She felt the hot jets of his semen filling her, his hips slapping against hers as he groaned, holding himself above her as the orgasm wracked through his body.

  She watched, smoothed her hands up and down his back, her own body still consumed with little shivers before he finally pulled out of her and collapsed beside her, one arm slung over her stomach, his hand curled just beneath her breast. Closing her eyes, she lay there with her man beside her, matching her breathing to his, trying her best to calm her racing heart.

  Never had she felt more complete.

  “I love you, you know,” he said long minutes later as he caressed her shoulder and arm with his fingertips. “I hated being apart from you.”

  “It was only for twenty-four hours. If that,” she teased.

  “Not just now, I’m talking after we first got married, when we never saw each other.” He paused, the air heavy with his thoughts. “That wasn’t how I wanted to start our marriage.”

  “Me either,” she said, turning her head so she could kiss his chest.

  He snuggled her closer, his arms tight around her. “I never wanted to prevent you from working, though. That was your choice.”

  “And I’m glad I made that choice,” she said, wanting to reassure him. “I only worked to take care of my parents, really. That’s not a good enough reason. I needed to live my own life, you know?”

  “Is that life with me as well?” He asked, sounding hopeful.

  Most definitely, she confirmed, kissing his chest again.

  “Your words mean more to me than you will ever know,” he said solemnly as he slipped his hand beneath her chin, tilting her face back so she had no choice but to meet his gaze. “I love you,” he said again.

  “I love you too,” she whispered, fighting off the tears. She was such an emotional mess lately. It was downright irritating. “I’m so excited to start this new chapter of our lives with you and the baby.”

  Bending his head, he dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose, making her smile. “Me too, my love. Me too.”

  Epilogue

  “You did it.”

  Amber glanced up and smiled as her sister- and mother-in-law walked into the hospital room together, both of them wearing matching grins. “I did it,” she said softly, dipping her head to take in the sleeping bundle that lay snuggled in her arms.

  Stasia and Claudia came around the bed, standing on either side of it so they both could peer down at the sleeping baby. “He’s gorgeous,” Stasia murmured, reaching out to smooth her hand along the blanket that was wrapped tight around him. “How are you feeling?
”

  “Tired. Thrilled. Happy.” Amber ran a finger down her son’s downy-soft cheek. His eyes were tightly closed, his dark, dark hair stark against his pinkish skin. He reminded her of Vince.

  And when he popped open his dark eyes and stared up at her with a solemn little expression on his face, she thought her heart might fill to bursting.

  “I want to hold my grandson.” Claudia waved her fingers at Amber in a gimme gesture. “Please.”

  Amber handed him over with a smile, loving how Claudia cradled him close, murmuring Italian to him. She took a deep breath and leaned against the bed, closing her eyes as a wave of exhaustion settled over her.

  She’d labored for hours, refusing any medication like a foolish, stupid woman, but damn it, she wanted to do it naturally. Vince fretted like an overindulging old woman, begging her to take something, anything to ease her pain. He hated seeing her in agony.

  She told him to man up and deal with it.

  Finally, after a solid eleven hours of labor, she pushed for twenty minutes until out came her son.

  Giovanni Vincenzo Renaldi.

  “That is quite the mouthful you named him,” Stasia said, as if she could read Amber’s mind. “And naming him after his father. Is he deserving, after all the grief he put you through?”

  Amber knew Stasia teased. It was her favorite thing to do, give her big brother plenty of grief. “I think so. After all, he played a rather important part in Gio’s even being here.”

  “You’re going to call him Gio, how sweet,” Claudia said before she resumed her cooing over her grandson.

  “Look at all the mother hens gathered in one spot,” a male voice said, causing them all to turn to find Vince standing in the doorway, Stasia’s husband, Gavin, just behind him.

  “You boys would be nothing without your mother and wives, so please, stop with the nonsense,” Claudia chastised as she started toward her son. She offered him a quick peck on the cheek while still cradling Giovanni close. “You did well, Vincenzo. Your son is beautiful.”

  “Thank you, Mama.” He took Gio from his mother’s arms, holding him carefully while wearing an expression of trepidation on his face.

  Amber’s heart threatened to burst. She loved seeing her husband hold his tiny son. He looked a little awkward doing it, as if he was afraid Giovanni might break, which only endeared him to Amber even more. It was so sweet, how nervous he seemed around the baby.

  He’d been so encouraging through the last trimester of her pregnancy. And when she’d gone into labor, he’d been a great if nervous coach.

  She was a lucky woman. She had everything and everyone she could ever want in her life. She was patching up her relationship with her mother; though it was slow going, they were doing their best. She’d cut those who treated her poorly from her life. Her father…she couldn’t save him forever. She’d done everything she could and it still wasn’t enough. She had to learn how to let go, no matter how much it hurt or how bad she felt.

  She’d grown closer to Stasia and they even planned on spending a few months in Italy over the summer so they could be with the rest of Vince’s family. They both wanted the baby to know and understand his heritage.

  “You should all go,” Vince said firmly as he strode toward the bed, depositing Gio carefully in Amber’s arms. “My wife is exhausted.”

  “Oh, Vince, we just got here,” Stasia started to protest, but Claudia shushed her, taking her by the arm and steering her toward the door.

  “We’ll leave you two alone,” Claudia said, sending them a loving smile. “He’s lovely, Amber. Thank you for giving me such a beautiful grandson.”

  “Congratulations, you two,” Gavin said, coming to the bed to quickly give Amber a kiss on the cheek before he started to follow the two women out of the room. “We’ll come back tomorrow when you’re feeling more up for visitors.”

  They exited the room, leaving Vince and Amber alone with Gio.

  “You should come home tonight,” Vince declared. “Get them to release you.”

  “Vince. I gave birth not even twelve hours ago. Let me rest,” she said, juggling Gio in her arms when he started to fuss. “I think he’s hungry.”

  She tugged on her hospital gown, baring her breast for Gio. He latched on easily and she leaned back with a contented sigh, enjoying the sight of her newborn son. “I still can’t believe he’s finally here,” she whispered.

  “Me too.” Vince settled on the edge of the bed and reached out, placing his hand on the top of Giovanni’s head. “I love you, Amber. You have made me the happiest man in the world.”

  “I love you too,” she murmured, leaning in to press a kiss to her husband’s bristly-with-stubble cheek. “We’ve done good, haven’t we?”

  “Indeed we have,” Vince agreed with a smile. “Now if you give me at least three more children, possibly four, everything will be perfect.”

  “My God, Vince, I just gave birth and you’re already planning the rest of our brood?” She shook her head with a laugh. “I don’t think so.”

  “Three boys and two girls. That sounds perfect, don’t you think?” he asked, his tone full of innocence, but Amber knew better. He meant every word he said.

  “It sounds like a lot of work,” she retorted as she cuddled her baby close. He smelled good, felt good, in her arms.

  She never knew she could love a little human as much as she loved her Gio. And she’d only just met him.

  “You can handle it, my capable wife,” Vince said. “I have faith in you.”

  “And I have faith in you too, husband.” She kissed him when he turned toward her. “So that means only two children.”

  “Two?” He looked hurt. “That’s not even close to enough. Four.”

  She heaved a big sigh. “Fine, three. I’ll give you three children.”

  “Three is perfect,” he said with a smile. “You’re perfect.”

  “And don’t you ever forget it.” She laughed.

  “Never,” he murmured just before he kissed her, his lips lingering. “I promise.”

  And she knew he meant it.

  About the Author

  USA TODAY bestselling author Karen Erickson writes what she loves to read—sexy contemporary romance. Digitally published since 2006, she’s a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband and three children.

  Karen is also known as New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Monica Murphy.

  To learn more about Karen, visit her online:

  www.karenerickson.com

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/monicamurphyauthor

  Twitter: www.twitter.com/msmonicamurphy

  Look for these titles by Karen Erickson

  Now Available:

  Spontaneous

  Jesse’s Girl

  Fortune

  Fortune’s Deception

  Fortune’s Promise

  Fortune’s Chance

  Playing with Fire

  Forbidden

  Tangled

  Scandalous

  Notorious

  Fated

  Under My Umbrella

  Baby, Don’t Lose My Number

  Simple Twist of Fate

  Tahoe Nights

  My Favorite Mistake

  End of Days

  Neon Chaos

  Worth It

  Worth the Scandal

  Worth the Risk

  Worth the Challenge

  Worth Everything

  The Renaldis

  Temporary Arrangement

  Tempted by Her Boss

  Kidnapping His Bride

  Print Anthologies

  Midsummer Night’s Steam: Hot Summer Nights

  Luck of the Draw

  Playing with Fire

  Tahoe Nights

  Playing With Fire 2

  Twist of Fate

  Coming Soon:

  Vegas Nights

  Wicked Weekend

  Reckless Nights

  Catch her if you
can…

  Kidnapping His Bride

  © 2013 Karen Erickson

  The Renaldis, Book 2

  Rafael Renaldi is a modern man with an old-fashioned secret—an arranged marriage. Though it was an informal agreement, made when they were children, Rafe has always been a little in love with the beautiful, passionate Catalina Campioni. And assumed that the single, searing kiss they shared years ago sealed the deal.

  Marriage? Babies? Not now—not yet. After growing up witnessing her mother’s devastation over her father’s cheating, Cat has no intention of settling down anytime soon. She plans to live life to the fullest before marching down the aisle—and it definitely won’t be with womanizing, lethally charming Rafe.

  When Rafe realizes his bride-to-be wants nothing to do with him, he does what a crazed man might do—he kidnaps her. But not to force her to the altar. She wants adventure? He’ll show her adventure, and show her life with him will never be dull.

  But even as they fall in love, someone close is desperate to keep them apart and will do whatever it takes to ensure they won’t marry. Anyone. Ever…

  Warning: Put a sexy, charming Italian hero together with a fiery, beautiful Italian heroine and you have a combustible romance on your hands. Nothing like a good old-fashioned kidnapping and arranged marriage to help a couple fall in love.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Kidnapping His Bride:

  “You really want that? To end this?” he asked quietly, causing her head to jerk toward him. “Because I don’t.”

  An exasperated sigh escaped her and she shook her head. She really was extraordinarily beautiful when she was angry. “You say things like that and the words mean nothing. You don’t know me, you just like the idea of me.”

  “The idea of you?” What did she mean?

  “The thought of me as your sweet, young wife waiting for you at home while you’re out doing whatever you want. Me, cleaning your house and warming your bed, making your meals and chasing your children, tied to this…lonely, unfulfilled life. And you’ll get everything you could ever want.” The bitterness in her voice was unmistakable. She didn’t want this sort of life or want him.