Page 96 of Wrong Pawn. Right Capo.

My heart flutters, and anticipation coils in my belly when he slowly unfurls his hand around me, trailing the rough pads of his fingers down my thighs.

A part of me wants to open my eyes and skip the tease, but I remain still, pretending like I’m still asleep. He shifts behind me, then slowly hikes my satin pink nightgown up until my bare skin is exposed.

It isn’t a surprise that I’m smiling like a teenager about to have sex with her crush. Being married to an intentional man means waking up like this—desired, cherished… loved… every single day. And honestly, I’d have it no other way.

Something between a sigh and a chuckle fills the room as he shifts down my body, positioning himself between my thighs.

The moment his lips touch me, I can’t hold back anymore. I release a slow moan, and instinctively spread my thighs wider. Releasing a low rumble, he wraps his hands around my mid-thighs, kissing my now-wet folds before whispering lightly.

“Good morning.” His voice is rough and groggy, and that alone almost drives me to a climax. Fuck.

Before I can respond, he dives in, sucking ferociously, his lips closed around my clit, driving me crazy. The satin sheets crumple beneath my fingers as I squeeze for dear life, biting back the moan in my throat. As if he senses it, he inserts two fingers inside me, eliciting a gasp from my lips.

“A-Adriano,” I moan, clenching my thighs, but he holds them apart, growling against my skin.

“Tell me. What do you want?” he rasps, his fingers moving even faster. Pressure builds in my core, and I feel myself getting even wetter for him.

“I-I…”

Releasing another growl, he slaps my inner thigh.

“Say what you want, Principessa.”

My brain is hazy, and I can barely make out his words as he inserts another finger.

“I want to cum!”

Just as I scream the words, the baby monitor beside the bed beeps, and we both halt, breathing laboriously.

Our eyes connect, and Adriano exhales a curse under his breath before lifting himself away.

“I’ll go,” is all he says as he grabs a pair of grey slacks before rushing out of the room.

I should be frustrated, but a low chuckle escapes my lips as I throw my head back into the pillow. Maybe it’s the fact that he once called our sweet little angel a cock blocker, or that I’m slowly realizing that she might actually be one.

After a few seconds of putting myself together, I slip on my robe and exit the room to Lucia’s.

By the time I get to the room, Adriano is already holding our daughter against his chest, singing Lucia’s signature lullaby with a voice that doesn’t sound too good.

If anyone had told me back then—when he was behaving like a cold, ruthless monster—that he would one day stand in a nursery singing a lullaby to our daughter, I would have laughed it off as a ridiculous joke. But here we are, and after everything we’ve survived, that heartless man who once built walls to lock out the world has become the most fiercely protective, caring father I could ever dream of.

That’s why we named her Lucia. It means bearer of light. We chose it because she was conceived in the absolute darkest moments of our lives—when her father was blinded by bloodlust and I was trapped in the crossfire. She ushered us into a new, peaceful beginning.

My heart does its familiar squeeze—the one that hasn’t faded since Adriano and I started this beautiful family. The one that makes me feel like every day is a gift that I never want to take for granted.

“Mama!” Lucia squeals when she sees me. I smile gently, throwing her a little wave.

“Hi, angel.”

She squeals even louder, clapping as she shows her gummy teeth. Slowly, Adriano lets her down and nudges her gently to walk toward me.

About a month ago, Lucia took her first steps. We were in the living room, having family time, when she stood up, grabbed the edge of the couch, and took a small step.

A small smile tilts my lips as she wobbles on her feet once before resuming her unsteady walk toward me.

The familiar scorching feeling along my skin pulls me out of my thoughts. And when I glance his way, I see Adriano staring at me hungrily.

His hands are in his pockets and I can still spot a half-boner in his pants as he teasingly flexes his pectoral muscles. The unspoken promise in his look sends a fresh wave of heat through me. Oh, I can’t wait to bounce on that dick and break that ego.