14. Carlito

Chapter 14

Carlito

The door to the suite clicks shut behind us, muffling the world outside. The noise of the gala, the applause, and the cheers from the terrace fade away like a distant echo, leaving only the quiet hum of the room and the sound of Mia’s breath.

She stands just inside the doorway, her fingers brushing the fabric of her dress as though steadying herself. Her hazel eyes dart around the suite, taking in the plush furnishings, the glint of crystal chandeliers, and the wide glass doors leading to a private balcony overlooking the Strip.

“It’s beautiful,” she says softly, her voice tinged with exhaustion.

“It’s yours,” I reply, my tone deliberate. “Tonight, and whenever you need it.”

Her gaze snaps to me, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. She looks like she wants to respond, but instead, she steps further into the room, letting her fingers graze the edge of the marble countertop in the open-plan kitchen.

I watch her carefully. Mia isn’t like anyone I’ve ever known. She’s standing here, newly my wife, and yet I can see the storm behind her calm facade. A mixture of confusion, excitement, and something I can’t quite pin down.

“Are you all right?” I ask, crossing the room to stand beside her.

She hesitates, then nods, her fingers brushing the platinum band on her finger. “It’s just… a lot to take in. I didn’t expect—” She breaks off, shaking her head.

I take her hand in mine, lifting it gently so the rings catch the light. The engagement ring, bold and intricate, sits beside the simpler band from the ceremony. Together, they look right on her.

“Mia,” I say quietly, tilting her chin so her eyes meet mine. “I know this isn’t how you imagined tonight. I know it’s a whirlwind, and I’ve put you in the center of it. But I need you to hear this: you have nothing to fear. I will protect you. Always.”

Her breath hitches, her gaze searching mine. “Why me?” she whispers. “Out of everyone, why would you want… this?”

I let her words hang in the air for a moment, considering how to respond. She deserves honesty, but not the full truth. Not yet.

“Because you’re different,” I say finally. “You’re not like the people I surround myself with every day. You see the world as it could be, not just as it is. That’s something I never realized I needed until I met you.”

She looks at me like she wants to believe me, but doubt still lingers in her eyes. I can’t blame her. Trust doesn’t come easily, and I’ve done little to earn hers beyond words.

“Carlito,” she begins, her tone hesitant. “This… us… it feels bigger than me. Like I’ve stepped into something I don’t understand.”

“You have,” I admit, my voice soft but firm. “But you’re stronger than you know, Mia. And I won’t let anything happen to you.”

The room feels heavier now, the weight of what I’m saying settling over both of us. She nods slowly, her lips pressing together as she considers my words.

“I’ll try to trust you,” she says finally, her voice almost a whisper.

I step closer, my hand resting lightly against her cheek. “That’s all I ask.”

Mia searches my eyes, her hesitation slowly giving way to something else. Trust, maybe. Or at least the first thread of it. Her lips part slightly as if to speak, but no words come.

I let my hand linger against her cheek, the warmth of her skin grounding me in a way I hadn’t expected. She leans into my touch, just barely, and that small movement sends a rush of something fierce through me.

“Mia,” I murmur, her name tasting unfamiliar on my lips in this moment, heavy with a need I can’t ignore any longer.

Her lashes flutter as she blinks up at me, her breath catching. “Carlito…”

Before she can say more, I close the space between us, my lips brushing hers with a gentleness that surprises even me. She freezes for a heartbeat, then softens, her hand rising to rest against my chest. The contact ignites something deep and raw, unraveling the restraint I’ve been holding onto all night.

I deepen the kiss, my hand sliding to the nape of her neck, holding her to me as I claim her mouth. She doesn’t pull away. Instead, she tilts her head, her lips parting for me as her fingers curl into the fabric of my jacket.

Every thought, every calculated plan I’ve ever made fades into the background. It’s just her—the way she fits against me, the way her breath hitches as my hands skim her waist.

I guide her backward slowly, toward the plush sofa in the center of the suite. Her legs bump against it, and I break the kiss long enough to lift her into my arms. She gasps softly, her hands gripping my shoulders, but she doesn’t protest.

“Mia,” I say again, her name a growl now, filled with every ounce of the hunger and need I’ve been holding back. “Say yes to me. Not just to the rings, not just to the promises. To this . To us.”

I lower her back onto her feet, while my hands begin to wander, tracing the delicate lines of her body through the soft fabric of her dress. I feel her tense slightly, but then she relaxes into my touch, her head tilting back to expose the graceful line of her neck.

"Carlito," she breathes, her voice laced with a mixture of surrender and desire.

I nuzzle her neck, my lips brushing against her sensitive skin, sending shivers down her spine. "You’re mine now, Mia. And I plan to show you just how much I cherish that fact."

With that, I begin to unbutton her dress, my fingers deftly working the tiny fasteners. The fabric slides from her shoulders, baring her creamy skin, and I can’t help but admire the beauty before me. Her breasts, full and inviting, rise and fall with her quickening breath.

"You’re exquisite," I murmur, my lips trailing down her neck, across her collarbone, and finally, to the peak of her breast. I take the taut nipple into my mouth, suckling gently, while my hand cups its twin, eliciting a soft moan from her.

Mia’s hands find their way into my hair, her fingers tangling in the dark locks as she arches into my touch. "Oh, Carlito... please..."

I smile against her skin, my breath hot on her sensitive flesh. "Please what, my Mia? Tell me what you want."

"I want..." She hesitates, her eyes fluttering shut as my hand continues its exploration, sliding down her waist, over the curve of her hip, and finally, between her thighs. "I want you. All of you."

I nip at her earlobe, my voice a growl in her ear. "Then you shall have me. Every inch of me, devoted to your pleasure."

With that, I lift her into my arms again, her legs instinctively wrapping around my waist. She is light as a feather, as I lay her down gently on the sofa. The plush cushions envelop her, and I stand for a moment, taking in the sight of her, sprawled out before me, a feast for my hungry eyes.

Mia’s eyes, now dark with desire, lock with mine. "Make love to me, Carlito. Show me what this marriage means to you."

I don’t need further invitation. I shed my jacket and tie, revealing a tailored shirt that strains against my broad shoulders. Kneeling between her legs, I lean down, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. Our tongues dance, a sensual battle of wills, as I claim her mouth with a ferocity that matches the passion building within me.

My hands roam her body, mapping every curve, every dip, and every hollow. I want to memorize her, to brand her into my memory. My fingers find the waistband of her panties, and with a gentle tug, I slide them down her legs, baring her completely to my gaze.

Mia’s cheeks flush a deep rose, but she makes no move to cover herself. Instead, she reaches for me, her hands pulling at my shirt, eager to feel the heat of my skin against hers. I oblige, shedding the remaining barriers between us, until we are both naked, our bodies flush against each other.

"You’re beautiful," she whispers, her fingers tracing the contours of my chest, the hard planes of my abdomen, and finally, the rigid length of my erection.

I groan, the sound raw and primal, as her touch ignites a fire within me. "So are you, Mia. So incredibly beautiful."

Positioning myself between her thighs, I guide my hardness to her entrance, pausing for a moment to revel in the anticipation. "Tell me, Mia, do you want this? Do you want me inside you?"

Her eyes flutter open, a mixture of passion and vulnerability in their depths. "Yes, Carlito. I want you. I want all of you."

With that, I thrust forward, filling her in one smooth motion. She gasps, her body adjusting to my invasion. I hold still, giving her a moment to acclimate to the sensation, but soon, her hips begin to move, urging me to continue.

I set a slow, torturous pace, withdrawing almost completely before slamming back into her, over and over. Each thrust elicits a chorus of moans and gasps from her, her body arching to meet mine, her nails digging into my shoulders.

"Harder, Carlito," she pleads, her voice hoarse with need. "Please, I want to feel you, all of you."

I oblige, my restraint shattering as I pound into her, my hips meeting hers with a force that sends the sofa creaking. Mia’s cries fill the room, a symphony of pleasure that spurs me on. I want to brand her, to mark her as mine, and I know in this moment, I am doing just that.

Her climax nears, her body tenses, her inner walls clenching around me. "I’m close, Carlito! Oh God, I’m so close!"

"Let go, Mia," I urge, my voice hoarse. "Come for me. Show me how much you want this."

Her release hits her like a wave, her body convulsing around me, her nails digging into my back as she cries out my name. The sensation is enough to push me over the edge, and I thrust one final time, burying myself deep within her as my own orgasm claims me.

We lie there, entangled in each other’s arms, our hearts pounding in unison. I kiss her forehead, her cheeks, and finally, her lips, a tender contrast to the ferocity of our lovemaking.

"Mia," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "You are everything I never knew I needed. And I promise, I will spend the rest of my life showing you just how much you mean to me."

She smiles, her eyes heavy with contentment. "I believe you, Carlito. And I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us."

The room falls silent once more, the only sound our steady breathing. Mia’s eyes drift shut, her body relaxing into the cushions as she succumbs to sleep. I watch her, studying the peaceful expression on her face, the way her chest rises and falls in gentle rhythm.

The storm of emotions that shadowed her earlier has melted away, replaced by a calm that stirs something deep in me.

I brush a strand of hair away from her face, my fingers lingering for a moment longer than necessary. She shifts slightly but doesn’t wake, her trust in me evident even now.

It’s in this quiet, stolen moment that the weight of my choices presses down on me. Marrying Mia wasn’t just about status and strategy—it was about something I didn’t expect, something I’m still struggling to name. She’s changed everything, disrupted the carefully constructed life I’ve built.

I never planned for this. Never planned for her .

And yet, here she is, my wife.

I glance at her hand resting against the cushion, the platinum wedding band catching the light. It’s a symbol, a bond, but it’s also a promise I’ve made to protect her at all costs.

No matter what happens next, she’s mine to protect now.