51

MILLIE
With cautious anticipation, Gio inched his movement, the pain evident in the grimace that crossed his features. “Please, try not to move,” I pleaded, a tinge of embarrassment tightening my lips. Other women had undoubtedly endured this discomfort, stoically enduring the ordeal. Why was it so hard for me to do the same? Gio’s body tensed, his posture resembling a taut bowstring. His fingers grazed my cheek as he pulled back, compelling me to meet his gaze.
“Is the pain too much?” His voice held a restrained concern, his eyes harboring an unfamiliar emotion.
I urged myself to regain composure. “No, not that much,” I replied, my voice wavering slightly as Gio twitched. “It’s alright, Gio. Just move. I won’t be upset with you. You don’t have to hold back on my account. Let’s just get through this.”
“Do you think I want to use you like that? I can see how agonizing this is. I’ve committed my share of terrible acts, but I refuse to add this to the list.”
“Why? You inflict pain on people routinely. Just because we’re married doesn’t mean you need to pretend to care about my feelings.”
A flicker of intensity passed through his eyes. “What makes you assume I’m pretending?”
My lips parted in surprise. I dared not let hope flourish, nor did I wish to misconstrue his words, but an undeniable desire lurked within me.
“Tell me what you need,” he demanded, his tone edged with severity.
“Could you hold me close for a while? Without moving.”
“I won’t move,” he vowed, sealing his words with a kiss. Despite his evident discomfort, he lowered himself completely. We were so close that not even a sheet of paper could find room between us. Gio’s arm curved beneath my shoulders, pulling me snug against his chest. Our lips met again, a dance of tenderness and longing. Our tongues intertwined, gentle and teasing. Gio’s touch traced my side and ribs, then ventured between us, fingers sketching delicate circles over my nipple. Gradually, my body eased beneath his caress, the taste of his mouth mingling with mine. The initial pain between my legs dulled to an ache, my body accommodating his presence. Gio seemed unaware, or perhaps he chose to disregard it, engrossed in our kiss. His fingernail grazed my nipple, a surge of pleasure coursing through me. I pulled back, our lips reddened and feverish from our fervent kiss. Gio’s eyes were heavy-lidded.
“Are you still able…?” I inquired.
He shifted slightly, his hardness evident. He hadn’t lost any of his arousal. My eyes widened, taken aback.
“I told you I’m far from virtuous. Despite knowing you’re in pain, I’m still aroused because I’m inside you.”
“Because you desire me.”
“More than anything else in my life,” Gio confessed.
“Can we take it slow?”
“Of course, my princess.” While keeping me close, he retracted a bit, attentively watching my expression. The concern etched on his face alleviated a knot of anxiety in my chest.
I exhaled, the pain still present but not as sharp as before, and beneath it, a glimmer of something pleasurable. Gio eased back into me, establishing a gentle and deliberate rhythm. I savored the sensation of his robust body pressed against mine, his chiseled features illuminated in the dim light. His gaze remained fixed on my face, undistracted by our unhurried pace. The tension in his shoulders and neck betrayed the difficulty of this endeavor. He adjusted the angle, a jolt of delight surging through me, prompting a gasp. Gio stilled.
“Did that hurt?”
“No,” I responded, my voice quivering, a frail smile on my lips. Gio’s own smile deepened, and he replicated the motion once more, sending a ripple of sensation through me. Slowly, he brought his lips closer to mine. The passing of time felt nebulous as he maintained the unhurried rhythm, a cascade of feelings washing over me. Despite sporadic moments of pleasure, I remained distant from the precipice of release. Lingering beneath the surface was a persistent ache, dampening the experience. Yet, articulating what I needed was a challenge. Evidently, my expression betrayed my inner turmoil, prompting him to inquire, “Are you okay?”
In response, I nibbled on my lip, wrestling with my emotions. “How much longer until you…?”
“Not much, if I quicken the pace a bit,” he mused, concern flickering in his gaze. My silent agreement was met with action. Propping himself up on his elbows, he intensified his movements, a touch more forceful. I suppressed any sounds, burying my face against his shoulder, my fingers digging into his back. The ache returned, but my desire was for Gio to reach his peak. “Millie?” he rasped, seeking reassurance.
“Keep going. Please. I want you to finish,” I implored, my voice a breathy plea.
With a low growl, he complied, his thrusts growing in intensity. His breaths quickened, and his rhythm became more urgent. My own agony juxtaposed with my desire for his pleasure. His thrusts deepened, and I clamped my teeth down on his shoulder to muffle any involuntary whimper that might escape. Gio’s body tensed, a guttural groan signaling his impending climax. He shuddered as ecstasy swept through him, a tangible expansion within me, filling the void until I felt ready to unravel. His movements ceased, lips pressed against my throat. He softened within me, a sigh of relief lingering unspoken in the air. I held onto Gio, reveling in his heartbeat and ragged breaths.
As he withdrew, settling beside me, he enveloped me in his embrace. Tenderness marked his touch as he brushed my damp hair away from my face. Sensations I wasn’t prepared for began trickling, and I shifted uncomfortably.
“I’ll fetch a washcloth,” Gio murmured, leaving the bed for the bathroom. In his absence, a chill settled over me. I stretched my legs, only to wince. Upon sitting up, my eyes widened. Blood smeared my thighs and the sheets, mingling with Gio’s essence. His return to the bed saw him kneeling beside me, his own cleanliness evident. “The reality surpasses the elaborate scene you staged during our wedding night,” I managed, my voice unsteady.
Gently nudging my legs apart, he applied a warm, damp cloth, prompting an involuntary intake of breath from me. A kiss graced my knee as he spoke, voice quiet and reflective, “You were much tighter than I anticipated.” He withdrew the cloth, and though embarrassment flushed my cheeks, he discarded it without a second glance. His hand found my abdomen, seeking solace. “How bad is it?”
My head found its way back to the pillow. “Not too bad. It feels insignificant compared to the scars you bear from knives and bullets.”
“This isn’t about me. Millie, I need to know how you truly feel. On a scale of one to ten, how excruciating is it?”
“Now? Perhaps a five.”
His tension was palpable. Settling beside me, he curled an arm around me, his gaze fixed on my face. “And during?”
I averted my gaze, my words a mere whisper, “On a scale where ten signifies the worst agony I’ve ever experienced, it would be an eight.”
“The truth,” he insisted.
“Ten,” I admitted in a hushed tone.
His jaw clenched in response. “The next time will be better.”
“I don’t think I’ll be ready again so soon.”
“I didn’t mean immediately,” he asserted, his lips finding my temple. “You’ll be sore for a while.”
“Between one and ten, how forceful and swift were your movements?” I mimicked his earlier inquiry.
“Two.”
“Two?” My expression must have betrayed my astonishment, prompting Gio to caress my stomach lightly. “We have the time. I’ll be as gentle as you require.”
“I can hardly believe that Gio The Vice – Merante would mention ‘gentle’,” I teased, attempting to lighten the mood.
Gio’s smirk surfaced. He cradled my face, drawing near. “Our little secret.”
A cascade of emotions surged within me. “Thank you for being gentle. I never expected this from you.”
Gio’s laughter emerged, raw and genuine. “Trust me, no one is more astounded than I am.”
Turning onto my side, despite the ache, I nestled against Gio’s shoulder. “Have you never been gentle with anyone else?”
He shook his head, a trace of bitterness in his voice. “Our father taught Sebastian and me that gentleness equated to weakness. It never had a place in my life.”
Although the words felt like a lump in my throat, I pressed on. “What about the other women you were with?”