Starter Wife (The Jilted Wives Club Book 1) by Bethany Lopez (a court of thorns and roses ebook free TXT) 📕

blanc and French fries and a braised beef in red wine sauce with mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts, and finally, crème brulée for dessert.”

“Wow! It all sounds delicious,” I said, even as I thought how decidedly unsexy I would feel after eating all of that food. I started rethinking my decision to set out dinner at this point and suggested, “Maybe we should start with the drinks and risotto and have the rest in a bit. Kind of do it in courses.”

“Okay, yeah, that sounds good. I’ll just bag up the rest and put it back in the oven. We can reheat it all later if we need to.”

While Luca did just that, I grabbed the risotto and two forks and took them to the coffee table, before going back to grab the drinks and do the same. I figured it would be more intimate and romantic if we enjoyed it in front of the fire he had started in the living room space, rather than sitting across from each other at his table.

“Is this okay?” I asked as he joined me on the couch.

“Perfect,” he replied easily, picking up his glass and taking a sip.

“I really appreciate all this,” I said as I twirled the contents of my glass. “The flowers and candles. The music, fire, and food. You really put a lot of thought into tonight. I didn’t realize you were such a romantic.”

“I wanted tonight to be special.”

“It is,” I assured him.

I picked up the risotto and one fork and took a bite. My eyes nearly rolled back in my head it was so good.

“You have to try this,” I said, picking up the other fork and handing him the carton. “Oh, right, you said you’ve had it before.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean each first bite isn’t always an experience. I got all of my favorite dishes so you could try them. I think you’ll enjoy everything as much as this.”

“I don’t know,” I said, holding out my hand to take back the risotto. “This will be pretty hard to beat.”

Luca laughed and passed it back.

We sipped our bourbon and took turns with the risotto until it was empty.

No longer starving, but pleasantly satisfied, and feeling light and warm from the bourbon, I took Luca’s hand in mine and nodded toward his large welcoming bed.

“Shall we?” I asked, my stomach dipping excitedly.

“I’d love to.”

Twenty-Six

Luca

I let Whitney lead me to the bed, anticipation growing with each step, as I allowed my gaze to trail over her.

When we reached the platform, she dropped my hand and turned, her fingers going to the buttons of her blouse as I watched with rapt attention. Each button undone revealed an expanse of skin, and then a hint of red lace teased me from beneath the cloth.

Turned on and eager to enjoy the show, I kept my hands to my sides and let her take the lead.

Once all of the buttons were done, she paused naughtily, letting my imagination fly before pushing back the satin and letting it slide down her arms to the floor, giving me a full view of the sexy bra barely containing her breasts.

My palms itched with the need to touch but still I waited.

With a witchy grin, Whitney moved her hands slowly over her stomach to the waist of her slacks, her eyes never leaving mine as she undid the clasp and slowly slid the zipper down, more red lace peeking out as she did. When her hands came to her waist and her hips moved back and forth as she shimmied out of the pants, I became increasingly hard.

Finally, when she was before me in nothing but the two scraps of lace, I could no longer keep my hands to myself.

I moved quickly, so fast a startled gasp left Whitney’s lips seconds before I claimed them with my own. My hands moved of their own volition, needing to feel her silky skin beneath their touch.

“You’re so fucking sexy,” I growled, breaking the kiss to look down at her once more.

“And you’re wearing too many clothes,” Whit replied, her tone heavy with desire.

“Let’s fix that,” I said, hurriedly reaching back to pull my shirt over my head, before ridding myself of my pants, seconds later standing before her in only my boxer briefs and socks.

“You’re quick,” she said with a laugh.

“Not when it counts,” I promised, shucking off the socks.

Her eyes twinkled as she scrambled back onto the bed, her eyes roving over my body, as she held out her arms to welcome me to her.

It was the best invitation I’d ever received, and I accepted it without hesitation.

“I’m going to kiss every inch of you,” I told her as she laid back on the bed and I moved over her. “I want you writhing beneath me, desperate to come, and when I take you there … repeatedly … I want to hear my name on your lips.”

While I made good on my promise, Whitney gave as good as she got, her hands roaming freely over me and pausing whenever she got a reaction from me. When my lips moved to the soft mounds spilling over lace, she moved her hands to undo her bra.

“Let me,” I urged, replacing her hands with mine and peeling it off of her slowly before tossing it aside, as if I were unwrapping a gift. Which I am…

Needing to taste, I sucked the tip of one breast between my lips and pulled. And when Whitney did writhe beneath me and my name escaped her lips on a moan, I felt like the king of the world.

I worshiped her body, loving the fact that she was filling all of my senses at once.

When she reached for my cock and grasped me beneath the fabric, I groaned, and my hips thrust forward instinctively.

“Not yet,” I managed. “I have more to explore.”

I shifted away from her and moved lower, kissing, licking, and nipping my way down her body until I was situated between