Page 64 of Filthy Little Regrets (Princes of NYC #2)

ONE YEAR LATER

MACE

God, she’s beautiful. That smile, fuck. She’s everything, and as she sits beside Rose on the beach while Dare and I lounge at the private bar, I contemplate how pissed she’d be if I carried her into the beach house and fucked her senseless.

“You get yours and I’ll get mine,” Dare says, his mind on the same track.

He doesn’t have to tell me twice. “Deal. See you at dinner.”

I set my tumbler on the bar and make a beeline for her, smirking at Rose when she looks back and sees us approaching. Her eyes shoot to Dare, and a flush crawls up her neck. My wife notices the change in her friend and glances over her shoulder, gaze colliding with mine.

I remember every vile thing she ever said to me, not because I want to hold it against her, but because that soul- deep hatred is nowhere to be found. All I see now is desire, affection, love. And it’s all fucking mine.

Cassia bats her eyelashes at me when I stop in front of her. “Hey.”

Scooping her up, I cradle her against my chest, despite her screeching my name. “I need you.” Not want. Not desire. A visceral, full-body need.

“We had sex this morning,” she says with a giggle, biting her lip and sliding her fingers into my hair. Her lips tip into a wicked smile as she tugs on my strands. My balls tighten, and electricity dances down my spine.

I groan. “Don’t do that, or I’ll fuck you on the beach.”

“Sand is not made for sex,” she tells me, tugging again.

Testing me, as always. I love that she enjoys pushing me.

It means I get to enjoy proving her wrong.

However, knowing the sand would only hurt the both of us is the only reason I don’t make good on my promise.

Though, as soon as we’re on the patio, I set her on the wooden slats and place her hands on the railing.

“Right like that, baby.” I trail my fingers up her arm, over her shoulder, down her spine, reveling in the goose bumps that chase my touch.

“Mace,” she says, voice breathy. “Rose and Dare?—”

“Are minding their own business,” I tell her, hooking my fingers into her bikini bottoms. “Do you want me to stop?”

She hesitates, like she always does, but when she glances at me over her shoulder, desire burning in those icy blue irises, permission is granted.

“You like the danger, don’t you?” I tug her swimsuit down her legs and drop my trunks, fisting my cock. “That someone might catch me fucking you senseless.”

“Yes,” she confesses, arching her back .

I knock her ankles a little wider and place the tip of my cock at her center. “Say it.”

“Fuck you,” she says, a laugh chasing the words.

“Brat.” I slam into her, and all the air in her lungs rushes out. “Let me hear it.”

She shakes her head and grips the railing tight to keep from crashing into it. “Never.”

Slipping my fingers through her hair, I wrench her head back, pumping into her hard and deep. “You want to play hardball, baby?” I pull most of the way out, working only the tip inside her.

Shifting her legs in protest, she tries to rock back, but my hand on her hip stops her. “Mace!” she complains.

“Come on, little liar, tell me what I want to hear.”

Breathing out, she finally says the three words I long for. “I love you.”

“Damn fucking right, you do,” I tell her, thrusting deep and startling my favorite sound out of her. “And this pretty cunt is all mine, isn’t it?”

“Yesssss,” she rasps, rocking back to meet my hips.

I slide my hand around her body and find her clit, caressing it as a reward.

“You’re so good for me.” Her walls flex around me.

“So fucking beautiful when you take my cock.” She whimpers as I work her clit harder, faster, building her up so she can shatter around me.

“My perfect wife,” I tell her as my length pulses inside of her.

“Please,” she begs.

And it’s the prettiest sound I’ve ever heard.

“I’ve got you, Cassia. Always.”

I grind my teeth to keep from coming, waiting until she’s moaning, writhing, trying to get away from the sensations but desperate for the release that follows.

I don’t let go of my control until my name leaves her lips on a moan and her cum coats me.

Only then do I thrust hard and fast, like I could force our bodies to join, burying myself inside of her over and over until every sensation slams together and my vision dims, narrowing on the pretty redhead who’s taken my heart and soul as I shout her name.

MACE

Is everything set?

VIVIAN

They’ve been delivered. If anything needs adjusting, let me know and I’ll send one of my girls.

Perfect. Thanks again, Vivian.

I hope she loves them.

“Who are you texting?” Cassia asks, laying her head against my shoulder.

I lock my phone and tug her closer. “It’s a surprise.”

She stares out of the town car’s window. “It better be a good surprise.”

Fuck, I hope she likes it . Nerves rattle around inside of me. She’s the only one with the power to unsettle me in this way. I hate that we had to leave paradise, but seeing her surprise is going to be worth it.

Elliot parks in our driveway and lets us out. I pat his shoulder and lead Cassia inside. “So, you remember your wedding dress?”

Cassia scoffs. “Do I remember a Vivian Carlisle original? Of course, I do.”

Tugging her around to face me, I hold her gaze. “You might want to check the closet.”

Her lips part, a sparkle of intrigue dancing in her irises, and her eyebrows jump to her hairline. “Wait. What do you mean?”

“Go see for yourself. ”

“Mace,” she breathes my name. “You didn’t.”

“You’re wasting time,” I tell her, nudging her toward the stairs.

She hesitates for all of two seconds before running up them. I chuckle and follow her, grinning when I hear her squeal of delight as I make my way toward our bedroom.

“Oh my god. It’s the Peril line! Holy shit, I think I’m going to cry.”

“You’re talking to yourself.”

“Shut up!” she screeches. “This might be the best day of my life.”

I rest my shoulder against the threshold of the walk-in closet, watching her hands float over all the pieces, her eyes wide with wonder. “The best day?”

She shoots me a look. “You can’t be jealous of clothing.”

“Says who?”

Rolling her eyes, she walks over and wraps her arms around me. “You’re such an asshole.”

“Asshole?” I ask with a laugh, hugging her back. “How?”

“Because you got me the Peril line, and how am I ever going to compete with that gift? Everything I get you will be so lame in comparison.”

“Mmm. I think you have me beat.”

“How?”

“I have you.”

“Oh,” she murmurs, squeezing me tighter, and then she sniffs.

Is she crying?

“Those are happy tears, right?”

“The happiest,” she mutters, resting her forehead against my chest. “You’re perfect, you know that?”

My chest fills with warmth and pride. “Right back atcha, red.” I smooth my hand down her back. “Should we Netflix and chill? Watch Schitt’s Creek ?”

She pulls back, swiping her cheek. “Mace,” she says like I’m dumb. “It’s on Hulu.”

CASSIA

Excitement floods my body as I close up Orion Investigations.

A lot has changed in the last year, but a few things are the same.

Orion is a great boss, I love my job, and I’m still a badass hacker, only now, I use my powers to fight for justice.

To help people who have been wronged find peace, something I wish my dad would have been able to find.

Do I think he’d be proud of me? Yeah, I think he would be.

I press my fingers to my heart, feeling grief, but it’s not the same as before. It doesn’t hurt like it used to. Now, when I think about my parents, the way they loved me, the way my dad gave me everything after Mom passed, all I feel is happiness. I was really lucky.

I love you guys . I send the little message to the sky before pivoting and eyeing Tony and Elliot, who are waiting next to the town car idling at the curb.

Tony pushes off the back of the car when he sees me, smoothing his shirt. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”

Chuckling, I shake my head. “Aw, Tony, are you going to make it?”

“He’ll be fine,” Elliot says as he opens the back door. “I’m just happy you can listen to him complain on the way home.”

“The privacy glass is meant for?— ”

I interrupt Tony. “Elliot can put it up if he wants. You, in the car, now.”

Huffing, Tony glares at Elliot like he ratted him out, grumbles, and gets inside first. Elliot and I trade knowing looks before I follow. I settle into my seat, smirk at Tony, who looks like someone stole his favorite toy, and shake my head. He’s a good guy, but sometimes he’s a little dramatic.

MACE

Are you on the way home yet?

You tell me.

We both know he’s aware of exactly where I am. I look up at the camera to the left of Tony’s head and grin.

Hey there, gorgeous.

You’re such a stalker.

I’m blushing.

Such a pretty princess.

Watch it.

Biting my lip, I lock my phone and watch the city fly by as Elliot drives us home.

My heart is nearly bursting at the seams when we pass through the gate of the Astor compound, and Mace is already waiting when we pull up in front of the house, a wicked smirk on his face that tells me tonight is going to be a long night.

He opens my door as soon as Elliot stops, and butterflies flutter in my stomach. How is it, after all these years together, that he still makes my heart race? Grabbing my hand, he helps me out of the car, hooks a finger under my chin, and steals a kiss.

“Welcome home, Mrs. Astor.”