Explicit excerpt:
He was selfish and knew it—he wanted only Elisabeta, not this prim slip of a wife. However, with too many bad years in trading, and the wars with the Ottoman Empire, this marriage was the only saving grace of his family.
“You are a beautiful woman,” Antonio allowed, “but we are in a unique position. Unlike many others, with simply a word we could dispense with the agreement between our families.”
“Do you not mean with a word from me?” she asked, her reserved manner slipping. “Since it is my family who holds the advantage over yours.”
Where had this come from? Taking a moment, he wondered at the sudden change in her behavior. Before he could comment, Bianca continued.
“Why would I care to dispense with our marriage contract?” Bianca stepped closer, unclasping her hands and squaring her shoulders. “There are certain freedoms afforded a married woman.”
“You will have no freedom as my wife,” he snapped, making sure she understood. He gripped her chin, forcing her to look up at him. Her dark eyes acknowledged that, but continued to hold a hint of delight. “I’ll keep you cloistered in a room where your only task will be to produce an heir for me. Should,” he sneered, “I choose to visit you. You’ll not find this marriage between us a pleasant one.”
Bianca’s fingers skimmed down his chest, cupping his cock. He remained flaccid in her hand. “Pleasure,” she purred, “is exactly what I desire.” She stroked him, dark eyes gazing up with interest.
“I don’t want to join our families in war, I’d rather we create something different. Your threats are hollow, Conte di Brindisi. My family will not allow you to imprison me like a nun in a cloister. A single word from me will ruin all you have and all you know.”
Antonio admired her manipulation of the situation, but that was all. Once married, interference from her family would be negligible. And, too, she could always die in childbirth.
“I do not react well,” he said, removing her hand and flinging it from him, “to such threats.”
“There is no threat,” she said, amusement in her voice, “simply fact. I don’t want contention between us. But I don’t want to be tortured by a neglectful husband.”
Gripping her shoulders, he picked her up and pushed her several steps until her back hit the wall. Holding her there, Antonio once more forced her head up, ensuring her complete attention.
“I’ll be whatever kind of husband I choose. As my wife,” he continued, unsurprised to see the stirrings of desire in her eyes, “you will obey and keep silent.”
The back of her fingers grazed his cheek, slid down to rest over his heart. “There’s only one reason for such ardor in a man, for I am comely and willing.” Her hand slipped lower, but didn’t take his cock again. “There is another desire in your life. Either another man…or another woman.”
Antonio released her chin, stepping back. He didn’t care that she knew he had a mistress, only what she would do to Elisabeta should she ever learn her name. The d’Artusio’s were powerful, and if Bianca made true with her threat on him, that anger easily could transfer to Elisabeta should she desire.
“Ah.” There was satisfaction in that one word, but she didn’t move. “As I’d hoped.”
Jerking his head back to look at her, he saw lust mixing with triumph in her dark eyes. Shock stiffened him, but only for a moment. Arousal and intrigue came hard on its heels, hardening his cock with interest.
“And why,” he asked, lazily crossing the space between them, “is that a hope of yours? Most wives detest the mistresses their husbands keep.”
“I shall not be most wives,” Bianca whispered, standing still as he circled her. “I would be happy if you would share her.”
He could admit to being stunned, but not repulsed by the idea. “She is mine.”
“I will also be yours,” she reminded him. “Think of it, Antonio. The three of us enjoying each other’s flesh. But, if that thought—the thought of seeing your wife enjoying the most intimate parts of your mistress—does not tantalize, then I would hope you allow me my own mistress.”
The thought tantalized. And Antonio was tempted. Loath as he was to share Elisabeta with anyone—man or woman—this suggestion captivated him. Elisabeta’s beautiful long limbs wrapped around Bianca’s…
“My wife and my lover?” He’d never before given this thought, but hardened at her proposal.
“We would all be lovers,” Bianca said, and he saw she’d given this considerable thought. “We would be there to please you…and you can watch as we please each other.”
“What do you want with her?” he demanded, eyes narrowed.
“I want to kiss and suck her supple breasts.” This bold statement further aroused him. “I want to lay my soft body atop hers. I want to feel her rapture moisten my face.”
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