Fight Me Little Pearl

Epilogue

FRANCESCA

ONE MONTH LATER

“ T hank you, Vance,” I say airily, alighting the vehicle in front of The Pavilion Margaux, the most exclusive gambling House in Paris.

We make a pretty picture in black. I’m wearing a black knee-length dress that hugs my figure and highlights my curves. It’s a little unsuitable for the cold weather, but in a few weeks, I won’t be able to wear any more figure-hugging dresses like this for a long time, but Valentino doesn’t know that yet. He’s wearing a black suit, and he looks phenomenal as usual.

“I don’t know why you chose to come here,” Valentino whispers into my ear as we walk into the building.

He doesn’t know, but I know exactly why I chose to come here.

When we enter, I immediately hear the smooth, sultry voice of the one woman I’ve always wanted to meet again. Nina. This woman walked into my house and dared to make me feel small in my own home by telling me she fucked my husband. I can’t believe I let her walk away without spilling her blood. I was naive then; I no longer am.

“I came for the music,” I tell Valentino, pulling him to the front of the crowd.

He narrows his eyes at me.

“So, are we here to dance? Or do you have something in mind?”

“Nothing in particular. I wanted to slap her face and leave an imprint of my palm on her skin, but I’ve decided I just want her to see us like this. Happy and in love.”

He wraps his arms around my waist, and we move gently to the music. “You can still slap her if you want, I’ll have you know that I already punished her.”

“How?”

“I can’t tell,” Valentino grins. “You’ll call me a monster.”

“I already knew that before I said I love you. It doesn’t change anything. Now tell me what you did to her.”

“I sort of strangled her,” he says, pursing his lips. “I also warned her never to speak or come close to you again!”

“You sort of strangled her?” I gasp. “You really are a monster. It’ll be cruel if I hit her after you almost strangled her, so I won’t.”

“Okay.” He leans into my body, and we continue to dance like we are at a nightclub, and not here to mock Nina.

After several minutes of swaying to the soft music, I’ve almost forgotten why I’m here…until I look up to meet Nina’s hateful gaze. She’s staring like she wants to murder me, and I feel not one iota of fear as I stare back at her. Instead, I grin and wave.

“Is she looking?” Valentino asks.

“Yes.”

“Good.”

I thought he would meet her eyes, too, but instead, he pulls me close and kisses me passionately. I melt into his arms, all thoughts of Nina and revenge flying out the window.

“Let’s get out of here, Valentino.”

“Already?” He rasps.

“Right now.”

We run out of the building like children and into the car. Valentino has checked into the same hotel suite we had during our honeymoon. It was like a beautiful recreation of our past. It's a rare form of second chance.

“Thank you for doing this for me. I know it’s petty, but-”

“It’s not,” he says. “In fact, I’m glad we did it. I didn’t realize you were still thinking about it. Now you can let it go.”

“I can.”

Vance pulls up outside the steps of the hotel entrance and Valentino and I bid him goodnight and go up the stone steps. We enter the elevator, laughing and kissing each other. We really are like little kids, and I’ve never been happier than I am now.

As soon as we’re inside the room, we fall over each other, kissing and tearing away layers of clothing until we’re naked in each other’s arms. Valentino lays me on the bed, hovering protectively over me as he kisses my lips. His kiss is soft and affectionate, and his touch is like feathers sliding softly over my skin.

He pulls away from my mouth and kisses down my neck. A moan falls from my lips, and I crane my neck, granting him more access. He continues to trail kisses down my chest until he sucks a nipple into his mouth. I whisper, my fingers sinking into his hair.

“Valentino…”

“Tonight, I want to make love to you, the way I should have on our first time here,” he says, running his tongue gently over the pebbled tip.

I writhe sensually beneath him and trust wholly that he will give me the utmost pleasure like he always has. His mouth moves to the other tip, teasing and biting until I cry out his name.

Slowly, he dives lower, and I instantly part my legs, craving the touch of his lips in my most intimate place. Valentino doesn’t immediately touch me there. Instead, he kisses my foot before tracing his mouth up my ankles and the length of my leg. I can feel myself dripping on the bed, anticipating the touch of his lips or tongue.

He touches a finger to my clit, and I moan. “Please, Valentino…”

“What do you want?” he asks.

“Kiss me… there.”

“Yes, La Signora Barone.” He delves between my legs and sucks my clit into his mouth, teasing and licking until I’m a boneless mess on the bed.

“Fuck, you’re so wet,” he groans, sinking one finger inside me. My mouth falls open, and I whimper again.

“Please. Please.” I don’t know what I’m begging for because there are a lot of things I want.

Valentino continues to suck my clit. His clever tongue traces circles around the nub while he sinks a second finger inside me until I feel full. He slips in and out of me with long fingers while his mouth and tongue work my clit and vulva.

“Touch your breasts,” he orders. “I want to see you do it.”

When I touch my breasts, Valentino groans and stretches on top of me. “I can’t hold back anymore,” he groans. “I need you.”

I hug him as he thrusts into me.

My heart fills with so much love as I lock my legs around his waist. He makes love to me slow and sweet. When my orgasm comes, it drags out of me, lasting for ages and ages.

Once his orgasm has hit, he falls back on his back and turns his face to me. “You know this is our time to make babies.”

I didn’t plan to tell him this way, but what better time is there than now?

“We already did.”

He frowns, his forehead scrunching cutely. “What do you mean?”

“I’m pregnant. Four weeks.”

He gasps, freezing on top of me for a moment before pulling me into a crushing hug. “ La mia piccola perla , you’re God’s greatest gift to me,” he says emotionally. “I must have done something good in my former life to deserve you.”

This man finds different ways to tell me he loves me every day. “Valentino…”

He kisses my forehead. “You are about to ask me for something. What do you want? I will give the world to you, my beautiful wife.”

“I don’t want the world, but there’s something I want.” I trail my finger down his chest.

“What is it?” he asks. “Ask me anything.”

“Your cousins would love a second chance with you,” I say softly. “Please, I’m not asking you to trust them straight away, but give them a chance to prove themselves. Please.”

He sighs and rolls over. “You’ll be the death of me.”

“Is that a yes?”

He is silent for a long time before nodding. “Yes, it’s a yes.”

I squeal and roll off the bed. “I should call Nonna Isadora and tell her. She’ll be so happy to hear this.”

He grabs my waist before I bolt. “You can call her tomorrow. Tonight, I want you all to myself.”

That’s all folks