Somebody's Angel (#5 in a Military Romance / BDSM Romance series) (Rescue Me) (70 page)

Without hesitation, Damián leaned forward and wrapped her in the protection of his arms. As his mouth lowered to hers, she closed her eyes. He surprised her by taking hold of her head and blowing his breath into her mouth before sucking their co-mingled breaths back into his. He didn’t take it so far as he had the first time they’d done a breath-play exchange, but when he plunged his tongue deep into her mouth, her bag of coins fell to their feet. He chuckled and pulled her against him.

Someone cleared his throat—it sounded like Adam—but Damián continued to lay claim to her mouth. She regretted when he pulled away, but the promise in his eyes of what was to come later tonight let her know this was just a taste of many delights awaiting her.

Father Martine chuckled before he announced to those present in the church, “Ladies and gentlemen,
señoras y señores
, may I be the first to present Mr. and Mrs. Damián Orlando.”

The congregation applauded as the recessional
Ode to Joy
began to play on the newly repaired pipe organ in the loft. Recognizing the organist’s hand, she didn’t need to turn to see that Anita had left her place here in the wedding party. She smiled, knowing her dear friend brought forth the beautiful music that filled the church.

Memories of huddling in a corner of the choir loft, seeking a place to hide and sleep after escaping the horrors of her childhood, brought Savannah full circle. Being able to donate some of Maman’s money to bring joyful music to the church once more warmed her heart.

“Shall we, my lady?” Damián crooked his arm for her and placed his hand over hers as he led her to the vestibule. They entered into a small chamber she’d never been in before where Father Martine had asked them to wait so they could sign the certificate and make everything legal.

“I can’t get my fill of you,
savita
.” Damián crushed her against the wall, pressing his mouth to hers once more.

A male chuckle brought them back to the present some time later. “You two really need to get a room—but not until after your reception is over. Your
madrinas y padrinos
have worked long and hard to make everything special for you.”

She blushed and turned to Father Martine, whose eyes exuded happiness. “Let me be the second to kiss the bride.” He came to her and kissed her on both cheeks. “I’m so happy for you, little one. Seeing you so happy gives my heart great joy. As I remember back to this day, I will be able to counsel others who think there is no longer any hope for them. You two offer an amazing testament to others, and I hope you won’t hide that light under a bushel.”

He then turned to Damián and shook his hand. “Take good care of her, or you’ll have me and many others to answer to.”

“I’d take a bullet for this woman,
Padre
.”

Savannah cleared the frog from her throat. “You already did, Damián.”

They signed the nuptial papers and the state’s paperwork before following Father Martine into the vestibule where the wedding party remained, waiting to take photos. Then they would all proceed to the church hall for the reception.

How truly blessed was she?

Chapter Thirty-One

M
arc had never been more nervous in his life—not so much because of what he was about to do but of how Angelina would respond.

He breathed a heavy sigh, expending some nervousness. He and Angelina would leave in an hour for the special date he’d spent all week planning. For her, though, he wanted everything to be a surprise.

One lesson he’d learned from their separation was not to leave Angelina out of equation when making important decisions, but he liked keeping his girl guessing. However, they
had
discussed plans to move into her place in Aspen Corners after Damián’s wedding; he just hadn’t told her how long after that would be. First, he needed to do something he’d put off way too long.

She’d moved back to his Denver house temporarily after he’d left Adam’s, in part to continue to be there for the fallout of the interrogation scene three weeks ago. He glanced around the bedroom. On the first of June, he would sign the deed to this house over to Adam and Karla. Marc and Angelina had been packing boxes the last two weeks, but most of his furniture would stay here or go into storage. Very few pieces were his or Angelina’s style and even fewer would fit into her tiny rental house.

Tonight—well, tomorrow, depending on how one viewed it—he hoped to be making plans for the rest of their lives. He patted his pocket to make sure he had everything he needed, not that he hadn’t performed that check a dozen times already.

Dio,
don’t let me get cold feet again.

The shower door opened and closed. She’d return to the bedroom soon, so Marc went to the dresser and pulled out the red satin sash he’d first put on her that night in her house when he thought he’d only have one night with her. Now he hoped there would be many more nights together—the remainder of their days. Could he win her over by blowing her expectations out of the water? Or would his need to lay more ghosts to rest in the coming days ruin the moment?

Angelina entered the bedroom with one towel wrapped around her body as she dried her hair with another. She spotted the sash in Marc’s hand. Her smile caused his heart to rev up, not to mention his cock. So beautiful when she smiled. Beautiful on the inside, too. How did he get so lucky to find someone willing to put up with his shit?

“I thought you said we were going out.”

“We are.”

She glanced at the sash again, and her hand stilled in drying her hair before she lowered the towel and met his gaze.

“Wear something sexy but romantic. I’m taking you to a new Italian restaurant.”

“Blindfolded?”

“Not only blindfolded, but I’ll be blocking your sense of hearing, as well.”

Her breath hitched. Apparently, the idea of a public scene and escalated sensory deprivation excited her. Fascinating woman. She would certainly keep him on his toes planning innovative play scenes for decades to come.

If he should be so blessed.

Marc took the brush and ran it through her long, silky hair. Sometimes she would count the strokes—much as she would during a spanking—but today she seemed lost in the sensation. They hadn’t had sex since she’d moved back into the house, partly because of his recent ordeal and partly because he didn’t want things to become physical before they resolved some issues. They had continued to cuddle and he made sure her body’s needs were met.

Surprisingly, though, he’d found that touching her in non-sexual ways, even doing something as mundane as brushing her hair, only heightened his desire for her. He’d been working out in the weight room at the club. Soon he would stoke the fires again.

She pivoted and stilled his hand, still holding onto the towel that hid her body from him. “You have no idea how sensual it is to have someone mess with your hair.” He shrugged, but was surprised she’d felt something, too. When she reached for her makeup bag, he stayed her hand.

“No makeup. You’re beautiful without it.”

She quirked a brow, but he didn’t explain further. She never overdid her makeup, always using just enough to enhance her natural beauty. But she’d be sleeping in it tonight and wouldn’t appreciate the way her mascara would smear after having the blindfold on for so long. Besides, she
was
beautiful without it.

She rose and walked over to open the top drawer of the dresser. He’d made sure only her sexiest lingerie was there.

“You won’t be needing a bra or panties—just the garter belt and silk stockings.”

She glanced at him over her shoulder. “My, you’ve planned everything down to the last detail.”

“I’ve planned as far as I can without your input. The time will come during our date when you will have to determine how this scene ultimately plays out.”

She grinned. “Planning to push boundaries tonight?”

I’m definitely going to be pushing the boundaries for one of us.

Angelina smiled as she passed him on the way to the closet. When she opened the door, she stared before turning to him once more. “What happened to the rest of my clothes?”

“Oh, I sent them to the cleaners for you.”

“But they were already clean.”

He shrugged. “
Scusa
. My mistake.”

From the near-empty closet, she removed the red dress with the keyhole in the back that she’d worn at Rico’s bar the night she’d come back into his life—the first time.

“I’ve lost some weight. Do you think this will still look good on me?

Anything—or nothing at all—would enhance his girl’s beauty. “One way to find out.”

She smiled and carried the dress into the bathroom, not bothering to close the door. He watched her drop the towel, showing she still maintained the curves he loved. She’d shaved her mound for him. Soon he would reward her obedience.

With regret, he watched as she slipped the knit dress over her head, covering her sexy curves from view. After adjusting the skirt over her hips, she stepped back into the bedroom. Their gazes met before his broke away to roam slowly down her body, lingering at her bust and hips. When his gaze returned to her face with great reluctance, he grinned.

“Perfetto.”

“Why do I get the feeling you just undressed me with your eyes?”

He shrugged and grinned. “I am Italian. We know how to appreciate the female body.”

Angelina drew her brows together, but she smiled and continued to dress as instructed.

When he emptied her things out of the closet, he had made sure this was the only dress suitable for a romantic date. The rest of her clothes had been packed into one of the new pieces of luggage sitting in the back of Grant’s Jeep. She would be chauffeuring them partway today. Then, Gunnar Larson would take over, along with Patrick Gallagher, Adam’s brother. He hoped Patrick and Gunnar would be on time. At Damián’s wedding, Marc mentioned what he wanted to do, and Gunnar overheard him then offered to provide the couple with transportation. Adam immediately picked up his phone and called his brother to enlist his help. All their transportation needs had been arranged.

Ready, she walked across the room to stand before him and pivoted around to present her back to him. He couldn’t resist stroking her back through the sexy keyhole. She relaxed against his hand at first and then pressed her body against him.

“I love the gift of your sweet submission.”

“Are you sure we have to go out, Sir?” Her breathy voice made him hard.

Marc chuckled. “Yes, we most definitely must go out. I promised my girl a fine Italian dinner, and she’s not going to get it by my hand.”

“Oh, but your hands deliver decadent food for the soul, Sir.”

He placed a kiss at the side of her neck and smiled when she nearly came out of her skin. He loved her ticklishness. With reluctance, he lifted the sash and tied it snugly around her head.

Grabbing a white, lacy shawl from the closet, he wrapped it around her shoulders and placed a kiss on her neck. Her heavier coat was in the car, if needed.

“Trust me to protect you and keep you safe, pet?”

“You always have, Sir. You know I do.”

He found it hard to breathe for a moment and then picked up the headset from the dresser. She would wear this until they reached their table at the restaurant. He’d queued up Andrea Bocelli’s
Romanza
CD.

Perfetto
.

“This will help me deliver my surprise to you. I like keeping you in suspense.”

“I hear anticipation is good for subbies.”

“It is, indeed.” He placed the noise-canceling headset over her ears. He’d already adjusted the volume to a comfortable level but loud enough for him to be certain she wouldn’t hear any noise from the outside.

Time for them to embark on this next phase in their lives. At least, he hoped that would be the end result tomorrow.

* * *

Angelina’s excitement grew as she tried to guess what Marc had planned. It seemed a little early to dress for dinner, but she obeyed, happy to have her Dom back.

Marc would never harm her, and she hoped he would continue to rely on her more each day to meet his needs, as well. Having him actually needing her physically and emotionally these last few weeks had cemented their relationship in many ways, building a stronger foundation than they’d had before.