Marry Me Bellissima

Bernardi Hotel

Cara let out a small moan as she rolled over on the bed, taking in the unfamiliar room. She felt her ears prickle at the sound of the shower running in the other room and came to the conclusion that she wasn't alone.

Glancing at the bedside clock, it read 8 a.m. She sat up suddenly, which wasn't the best choice at the moment, as she felt a slight twinge of pain in between her legs.

She was late for work.

She moved to get off the bed when memories from the night before flooded her mind.

Adonis taking her on the wall of the club. In the car. In the elevator. At the door of the hotel room. On the bed. When she cried out she couldn't take anymore, he took her on the bed again. In the shower... and finally in the early hours of the morning.

He was a beast in bed, unravelling even the deepest fantasies she never knew she had.

Cara felt her face flush red with embarrassment; she couldn't believe she just had a one-night stand with a man she barely knew-not even his name.

She heard the shower go off. Assuming he was done, she hurriedly picked up her clothes, which were scattered all over the floor, and threw them on. Cara didn't think she could face him after last night.

What if he thinks she's a whore? She basically started it first with the kiss. What if he expected her to be gone by the time he returned to the room?

Enough with the what-ifs. She wasn't going to wait to find out. Just then, she heard the soft pitter-patter of his feet as he drew closer to the door. Cara, still in her underwear, glanced at the clothes in her hand. She dove back under the sheets, pretending to be asleep as the door was pulled open.

Catching a glimpse of her jumping into bed, Adonis walked past without uttering a word. Moving over to the table at the other side of the room, he picked up a brown file, then returned to take a seat on the sofa.

"Open your eyes." He instructed, his words laced with its usual Italian accent and so much authority, Cara couldn't ignore.

She was so caught up yesterday, she didn't notice until they got to the hotel room. He had that sexy, barely there Italian accent she can't help but swoon over whenever he speaks.

Slowly, Cara popped one eye open, and then the next.

"Good morning." She squeaked out nervously.

"Hmm."

Adonis hummed. He was never one to engage in silly chit-chat, and he had far more important things on his mind.

Like finding the bastard who tainted his drink.

He had gone for his biweekly checkup at the club last night, when he got some information about a snitch amongst his staff. He was sure that news of how he dealt with betrayals would've gone around, but some fool still decided to cross him.

Normally, going after a petty betrayer was beneath him, so he usually sends his best men instead. But Adonis has been on the edge lately. The time he has waited for his whole life was finally here.

He was going to be crowned Capo in two weeks.

It's old news to anyone who knows the Bernardis. They were one of the most feared and respected mafia families in the world, ranking second out of the seven. Everyone knew Adonis was next in line for the throne. With his father being long dead and his runaway gold-digging embarrassment of a mother,

He was the only heir anyway.

He had been trained and groomed from birth to be Capo. It's all he had ever been told. His entire upbringing revolved around being the head of the family. It's all he had ever known-he was more than ready. But with the recent clause attached to it, Adonis wasn't so sure anymore.

No one could imagine how surprised he was when his grandfather told him that the people weren't sure he was going to be a good Capo. All because he did not have a family of his own.

Where was he to get a wife in two weeks?

Adonis placed a finger beneath his chin in deep thought as he stared at Cara, who was still hiding beneath the covers.

He had never thought about settling down. Yes, his mother had a role to play in that, but to him, family meant weaknesses. He had a lot of enemies.

Hell! The aphrodisiac situation was just a glance into his everyday life.

He had a lot to worry about and manage as the head of the family; he didn't want to add a wife and child to that pile.

Adonis drew in a deep breath before speaking.

"I apologise for the night before; I had a situation and wasn't in my right mind." He started. Cara gave him a shrug in reply.

"I also apologise for kissing you without your permission. I'm sure you'll understand why; you can conclude that much from last night."

"I believe all is settled then... and I'm sure I was worth your time."

"You were more than worth my time." Cara murmured, giving him a once-over.

The corner of Adonis lips lifted in reply. If he heard her, he did well to hide it.

"I would not explain my actions last night, but I have a proposal for you."

Cara ran her fingers through the tangled mess of hair on her head, trying to hide the smile on her face.

Was he thinking the same thing she was thinking?

Though it's embarrassing to admit to herself, she felt a small flutter of hope at the thought of having a repeat of last night.

"I want you to marry me." Adonis deadpanned.

The silence in the room stretched on until Cara burst out in uncontrollable laughter. When she was done, she returned her gaze to Adonis, who had been watching with an unamused expression.

"Oh my God! You are serious!"

"I never joke bellissima," Adonis replied.

"I don't know anything about you."

Adonis raised the file in his hand, "I have every piece of information about you here, so it's only fair I tell you about myself. What is it you want to know?"

Cara sat up in all seriousness, her underdressed state long forgotten.

"I thought you said we were even. You can't force me to marry you."

"Who said anything about forcing you?"

Cara raised an eyebrow in question.

"So you want to use me?"

"No. You get something in return. Like I said, I know everything there is to know about you." Adonis waved the file again.

Cara grumbled. "That doesn't mean I can just decide to spend the rest of my life with you."

"Not the rest of your life. Just a year."

She quietly watched him for a minute; he seems to have given this a lot of thought. She wondered if she just had a one-night stand with a mentally ill person.

"Look here, Mr.-"

"Adonis."

"Sorry?"

"Adonis Alessandro Bernardi."

"Well, look here, Mr. Bernardi. This doesn't make any sense to me, so I'm going to leave now." She pushed the covers away, pulling on the skirt she had picked off the floor earlier as Adonis approached her.

"It doesn't have to, bellissima. How about this? Agree to marry me for a year, and I'll f*ck you into oblivion after."

Cara's mouth fell open.

Holy shit.