Amara

These days, ever since the whole installment ceremony, I've been getting a taste of what it's like to burn the candle at both ends. We had to show up for Marco's burial and at the same time make sure the wedding was on track.

I haven't been hanging out with Damiano much, and it's messing with my vibe. It's weird—I can't figure out why I'm missing him like crazy when we're texting every day.

Today's the big day, our wedding day, and I owe Rosa and Angelian a massive shoutout for helping me out with everything. Picture this: I was pretty much being dragged around by them, with them doing all the heavy lifting, and I just followed along, picking what I liked. They were a real lifesaver, especially since I'm clueless about weddings.

I mean, who knows what to do when you've never been to a darn wedding?

The wedding dress, though, that's something I really dig. The design reminds me of a photo from my parents' wedding. I hope Damiano likes it too. He wasn't allowed to join the dress-picking expedition, you know, to keep the suspense alive. So, today's the day I finally get to showcase what I've been up to.

Feeling a bit jittery, not because of the crowd of a hundred folks at our wedding, but because of one particular guy. Sigh… I'm starting to realize I might be head over heels in love with him. The path to Damiano is paved with flowers, and Franco is holding my hand, guiding me towards him.

Gods! Why does he have to look so darn handsome? Dressed up in a sleek black suit, his hair all slicked back, giving him that dangerous vibe. Well, I guess I love him enough not to give a hoot about how dangerous he might actually be. Staring into his green eyes, my heart does a little dance as I get closer.

Throughout the priest's mumbling, all I can feel is the heat from Damiano's hands on mine, his thumb brushing my palm. His eyes, full of lust and love, make it hard for me to break away from the eye contact. I'm glad he's not mad anymore; that distance he put between us was driving me nuts.

We exchange our vows, and then, bam! Damiano kisses me like there's no tomorrow. I can feel my legs turning into jelly, and all I want to do is cling to him as we head to our room. But yeah, there's also that dance we need to get through…

Bianca's teasing me about turning red during the kiss, and I'm torn between wanting to slap her silly even though I loving her. Damiano takes my hand, and I try to hide my face without giving away any of my expressions.

I unintentionally tease Damiano, getting real close to his neck. His words, tempting me to show him that I care more about tasting him than anything else. Well, that teasing plan backfires when he drags me into the sea. The cold water hits me, but with his palms and body close, I forget about it as my body heats up the more he pulls me in.

Ignoring the way he spoke, as if he was ready to teach me a lesson, his demeanor suggested he was enjoying this as much as I do. When he asks me, "Is this what you're gonna tell me on our wedding night?" I can't help but feel annoyed for saying that he's being petty, instead of what I originally planned to tell him.

Over the past few days, I've genuinely tried to combat my fears and nightmares. They persist, but there's something inside me that propels me toward him. I've come to the conclusion that enduring the pain in the process of loving him is worth it since he deserves it.

I yearn to express my love for him, letting him know that he doesn't need to coerce me to be close. I want to provide him with peace of mind, assuring him that I am genuinely in love with him, even after all the instances that may have made it seem like I was hiding behind a mask, as if I didn't want him. I want him to understand that, despite occasional retreats, my love for him remains steadfast.

Yet, as life would have it, plans don't always unfold as expected. Still, I believe my words probably reach him in some way.

After I accidentally reveal that I had initially planned to tell him something else, he doesn't just let it slide; he's curious about what I had in mind.

"Do you want me to let you go in the sea?" he says, jokingly.

Summoning a hint of courage, I blurt out my true feelings in the most uncool way possible. "You won't let me go after I tell you that I love you…" I mumble the words as I cling to him, my lips near his ear. I did it…

My happiness takes a hit with his disbelief.

"Do you ?"

I guess he would ask that; I haven't exactly been a lovey-dovey person. Still, it's frustrating. After going through the pain of confessing, he takes me for a liar.

"Do you think I lie ?"

"You can't really lie to me even if you want." His smirk tightens my heart, and he's right. He knows. He knows I do love him.

Looking at his wet hair and slightly open wet shirt, I bite my lip. Feeling blessed that he can read between the lines and knows me well, I feel like kissing him. But then again, I like gazing into his green eyes too.

"Give me a kiss, Bittercandy." I feel my cheeks heating up, and the fire spreads through my body. I kiss him slowly, my hand cupping his cheek. He's sweet, and I feel like pouring out all the love I couldn't express.

As we need to catch our breath, our foreheads touch, both of us wanting more.

"I love you too." His words hit me like they did the first time. This ignites something in me, and I feel the need to have him inside me. The need to give myself to him as a tribute for his love.

I freaking love him! If only it was as easy to shout it as him.

We kiss each other more, and he turns to get us out of the water. Well, doing it in the water isn't really an option when it's freezing cold.

He puts me on the ground, and I start trembling. His jacket finds its place on my shoulders, and after collecting my dress, he lifts me up and walks towards the back of the building, crossing the beach.

"Look around and tell me if you see someone." He glances at me, and I nod.

No one's around the building, and I keep clinging to him, scanning our surroundings. He's cautious, figuring out where to step, his hands occupied with me and the wedding dress.

We enter the building, and I spot two drunk men entering the front door.

"Wait. There are two men coming." He stops and hides behind the wall of the corridor heading into the hall. The men pass the hall, and he glances at them.

After the perimeter is clear, he moves swiftly, quickening his steps towards the stairs. He breathes heavily, and I whisper to him.

"You could let me down…"

"I could, but I don't want to. You'll catch a cold. You're in bare feet." He glances at my feet, and I gulp.

"It's not like you won't catch a cold…" I find myself slightly mad that he doesn't care about himself.

"No worries. I'll make sure none of us catch a cold tonight." He smirks shortly and continues walking up the stairs.

Sometimes I wonder how he can carry me. I'm slim indeed, but carrying me while walking up the stairs is no easy feat. I guess all his nicely shaped physique isn't just for show.

We arrive on the first level where Damiano indicates our bedroom. I open the door as he insists on not letting me step on the floor just yet. He steps inside, and I close the door behind us.

"Isn't this kind of… too big?" I question, looking at the bed with a slight frown.

"I wanted it this way," he says calmly, a smirk playing on his lips. He places me gently on the small carpet beside the bed, and I stand there, gazing at him.

"Why, though?"

"So I can toss you around in many positions without having to worry about you falling off the bed. Remember what happened at the cabin?" A furrow forms on his forehead, and I realize he has a valid point.

"I don't want to go through that again," I admit, recalling how I almost tumbled off the bed three times while he… well, you get the idea. I surprisingly find myself appreciating the size of this bed.

"You won't," he smirks, and I shiver, the underwear and bra still damp on me. His jacket doesn't provide much warmth, and now that he's let me off his arms, I start to feel the chill.

He tosses the dress on a chair and glances at me before disappearing into the bathroom. "Stay here for a second. Don't move."

I follow him with my eyes, hearing the water running. After a few minutes, he returns, taking off his shirt and tossing it on the same chair. I bite my lip, gazing at his upper body, and he closes the distance, now standing in front of me.

"Give me the jacket and hop on."

Hop on? I hand him the jacket, and he tosses it on the chair. Turning to me, he wraps one hand under my butt and the other supporting my back. I hop on, wrapping my legs around him as he moves towards the bathroom.

"You're getting cold," he states as he feels my skin against his.

"You're warm," I say as my body clings to his. He chuckles and closes the bathroom door. Glancing around, I notice a large bathtub with hot water running from the tap he left on. He steps in while my body is still clinging to him.

He turns off the tap and sinks into the water with me in his arms. He lets out a deep sigh, and I gaze at him, my butt resting on his legs as he leans on the edge of the tub. His hands rest on my waist as he gazes at me.

"Getting warm yet?" he almost whispers as I see his lips moving slowly.

"Yeah."

"You sure? You're still pretty cold," he smirks, tracing my back with his hand, reaching my bra's hook. His face comes closer, kissing my lips briefly, then moving down my neck.

I don't say anything, enjoying his way of getting me hotter more than the water, which warms me up steadily. My hands rest on his shoulder, and I can't help but arch my back when he sucks my skin, his other hand groping my behind.

He snaps open my bra, and I'm glad he did it; the material was still cold on my skin.

"You are so… hot," he observes my body underwater then glances at my face before kissing me, his hand disposing of my bra, throwing it somewhere.

One of his hands cups my breast, pinching my nipple, while his other hand slides down my behind, his finger rubbing my entrance through the panties. I let out a moan, grinding on his groin, getting closer to him.

He groans and mutters a swear, but he's still edging me, keeping himself in check.

Damn it! He is playing with me.

I lose my patience and grab his hair, nibbling on his lower lip. "I want you in me. Don't tease me too much," I groan, and he smirks as our eyes meet. "You teased me too. Let me have my fun."

I frown. "You're so petty," my mumble is shut by his lips, and his hand goes down on my waist. He deepens the kiss while his finger slides under my panties, edging my entrance, playing with me.

A thought crosses my mind. If he keeps on teasing me, I will go crazy. After playing with me how he wanted, I feel my insides tighten only by his mere touch. My sensitivity exploited, I feel more sensitive than before.

"Ask me nicely, Bittercandy," he smirks, teasing my nipple with his tongue, his erection rubbing against me.

Damn it.

"Please put it in me , Damiano. I need you …" I cry out, leaving it for a kiss. He kisses me, and with a sharp movement, he slides into me. It hits all the right spots, and the way my wetness makes it slide in so smoothly makes me tighten around him.

I moan, feeling full, savoring the pleasure given to me so rough and raw. He grips my waist with one of his hands, the other supporting my back, his fingers in my hair. I let myself feel his power as he moves with the same craving and need.

Guess it was worth the wait.

Though…. I wonder if I will be able to walk tomorrow. I'm sure neither of us will stop at this. The bed is not even touched yet .