A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

ena They room went quiet, and I thought they were going to throw looks at me. What happened next surprised me because they were smiling and began speaking in Italian. Most of them came to hug me and cup my cheeks but I didn't know how or what to respond

because I couldn't understand what they were saying.

"Don't scare the poor woman, Barbara!" Maria said, shaking her head.

"Oh, I've heard a lot about you. Your pictures didn't do you justice. You're prettier than in those pictures. Where did you meet your wife. Matteo?" She continued to speak, eyeing my features and my body.

Well. I heard about Italians, but I didn't expect to surprise myself when I came to meet them. Matteo wasn't like them but maybe because he was a man, and these were women. They were in their late forties or early fifties, and they surely had their fair share of gossip. "Come on, give her some space. Maria added.

Matteo was still beside me and his hand hadn't left my waist. He was keeping me close and secure which I appreciated as I leaned in deeper towards him.

"Mm, is this a new perfume?" He whispered, taking another sniff as he kissed my temple. It was a surprise, and my cheeks immediately heat up because we were in front of his family. They didn't seem to mind by the intimate act, but I felt as if they were staring. "I never used it before."

"Use it more often. I like it,"

Maria was standing in the middle of the crowd as she smiled, "I think I want to blow my birthday cake now because my son and my daughter-in-law is here. Let's go to the kitchen." She was excited when she began to walk to the kitchen, the rest following behind her while Matteo and I were the last to follow.

There were around ten to fifteen people in the kitchen as we all sang Maria a 'happy birthday' song. At first, they were singing in English before they started to sing in Italian. The whole time, Matteo was holding me close, as if he could lose me if he loosened the grip. They clapped and cheered as Maria blew the candles.

"Happy birthday, Mama." Matteo went to kiss his mother on the cheek before whispering something in her ear. It made her smile wider as she thanked her son

It was beautiful to witness, and I never expected to see Matteo being close with his mother. They had a good relationship-1 could tell. The rest of the family were smiling, too as they gave the chance for Maria and her son to enjoy the moment.

I missed mine. If only Papa and I were still in good terms.

It was bound to get awkward if I met Mama and bumped into Papa or Alexei.

"I'd like to say thank you to everyone. I've had my fair share of birthdays, but this year is different. My son, Matteo, surprised me with a daughter-in-law and I couldn't be more happier. You're always welcome in this family, Alena thank you." She smiled, her eyes were filling with tears before she carefully wiped them away. "I don't want to get all sad because I might ruin my makeup so let's enjoy!"

Everyone laughed as they raised their glass.

Matteo came to stand beside me, pulling me by the waist.

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Chapter 16

"Everything okay, Alena?"

"Yes. I just didn't expect your mother to accept me that quickly.

"Why?"

"She's too sweet, Matteo and we're lying at her face." "Alena-

I cut him off. "I hate that I brought you into this."

Just as he was about to say something, we were cut off by one of his relatives. She was standing beside us with a smile as she handed us a slice of cake in a plate.

Matteo smiled back, taking the plate. "Thank you, Cara."

"I heard you two eloped in Sicily. I think it's really romantic," she spoke as she took a sip of her champagne. "Don't tell Maria but she wished she was there. I told her, you couldn't wait to marry someone you love. I mean, why would you elope unless you two are madly in love with each other?"

"We can always have a reception here," he replied.

"A reception?" Maria came to stand beside Cara, her eyes widening as she tried to hide her excitement. "Are you two going to have a reception, Matteo?"

"We could think about it, Mama. Alena and I are very busy and if we can find the right time to have a reception, we might but don't get your hopes too high." He responded with a safe answer, and he wasn't lying either.

The two of us were always busy. We couldn't easily free our time for a reception.

"Honestly, I just want to see you two tie the knot again, but I understand if you're both busy. I'm already happy." She grabbed both of our hands.

"We'll think about it, okay?"

She nodded, "Oh Alena, we should sit down, and I can show you Matteo's baby pictures."

"Mama, I don't think that's necessary." Matteo rubbed the back of his neck, trying to hide away the embarrassment but this was too good to be true.

was all tough and ruthless but now I had the chance to see his chubby cheeks when he was smaller. Was I going to miss the opportunity of a

She needs to see how chubby you were when you were liule. Oh, and when you tried on those dresses you were too cute, she replied as she pulled my hand

who was still holding

and for a moment, I appreciated the silence. The other * relatives were talking and mingling in the kitchen as they ate-I felt better knowing they didn't try to pry or ask questions. even though they could whenever

side, taking a bite of the cake. He knew he wasn't able going to stop his mother from showing his baby pictures, so

have different albums, but this is the one we keep downstairs." she placed it on my

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Chapter 16

open. I

"He was ten."

"He was really cute."

he got so ruthless growing

ruthless, Mama. He denied, cutting

I didn't realize I was smiling as I ran my fingers across the pictures, seeing a huge difference between the adult and grumpy Matteo. "Oh, he got really chubby when he

chubby cheeks and everything, gained a sharp jawline and even grew taller. It was as if he was a different person. "When he wore those cute pink dresses," she

he was just looking. something playing in his head. When I caught him staring, he didn't bother to hide it or look away, he

"Of course, it's yours.

at those pictures every night," Matted

-You were t

Matteo. Did you

those

are starving. Besides, the family wants to get to know you -better, Alena."

and walking out, leaving

my shoulder as he leaned closer. "Do you really want to bring

I think you were too cute to resist. Your big

to stare at me. I was beginning to feel my cheeks heating up and there was no use in hiding the

he moved when we were drowning

of him being inside me, but I had to ignore and resist the temptation. We were bound to get hurt if we continue-I was going to. Even

resist each other in this marriage?

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Wed, Chapter 16

Π

eating me out. It was a sight to see. I knew I couldn't easily overlook the temptation because the man itself

the moment

him better access inside. I was enjoying this way too much because I didn't realize him running

kiss, and I knew

don't like wearing

mean it's

can be. If you spread your legs for

us. This was starting to turn me on, especially when he kept caressing my thigh

forth like this" I

back and forth. It doesn't have to

want to risk

"Are you scared, Alena?"

terrified because I can't seem to resist

resist me. Use me all you want.

it going to be

way.

I want you, Alena. You're a f***g temptress and if you think you can't resist me, I'm failing miserably to resist you. I can't stop

don't have to risk our feelings. We both know we can't resist each other,

to ignore each other and mind our own business. Matteo was too s***y to resist and every single day, the more

only interested in my body, and I had to feel slightly relieved at that. Maybe, all of this was just lust * and we needed to keep getting it out of our system so we could think straight and decide better in the future. We weren't going to sleep around. So, it was bound to

cupping his face and kissing him All of the thinking were beginning to mess with my head. I couldn't think clearly anyway

it as a sign to continue where he left

477

Chapter 16

already up to my stomach. If someone walked in

like you better in a dress,"

"Mm, why is that?"

panties on. I can always tell you're soaking wet for

s were

kept pressing onto the exact spot. I kept covering my mouth with my hand because I didn't want anyone to hear my moans, but he didn't seem to mind if anyone

I couldn't help myself.