Page 52 of Urgent Vows
"I wasn't going to take the choice away from you. The timing of your pregnancies is not just my decision."
I accept that I am expected to have children as soon as possible but that does not mean I accept that any man, even my husband the don, has the right to demand it of me. I am surprised he didn't do that. His whole question about birth control threw me for a loop. But now that I've had time to think about it, I also like that he asked.
Not that he followed it up with a question about STDs though.
Still, it gives me hope for a more equal marriage than my parents had. We're already ahead because he won't physically harm me. I can't help feeling that despite that fact, our situation parallels my parents one significant way. Severu expected to marry the beauty of our generation and instead, he got me.
Does he know that my father was supposed to marry his mother but ended up marrying my mom instead?
"Some women might say that the timing of my pregnancies aren't your decision at all."
"It is a moot point. You may already be pregnant."
"After only one time? Does that happen?"
"It does. Now can we please stop talking about making babies? Or I'm going to forget how sore you must be from your first time and fuck you until you can't walk tomorrow."
I want to say that I'm not that sore, but it would be a lie. "Maybe I won't be so sore in the morning," I suggest before letting my eyes slide shut against the dark.
"Fuck."
That's the last thing either of us says before I fall back asleep, glad my new husband is lying beside me, even if he isn't holding me.
Chapter 18
SEVERU
I wake as soon as Catalina shifts in the bed. She rolls over and stands up in a way that says she's trying not to disturb me.
Sitting up, I say, "You're not supposed to walk to the bathroom alone, wife."
"Oh, Severu, you are awake. I'm feeling much better this morning."
"Good, then my mother can take you shopping as planned today for clothes."
Catalina makes a face, like she can't think of anything she'd rather do less.
Her attitude surprises me. "I thought every woman dreamed of shopping for clothes with an unlimited budget."
Her expression doesn't change at the mention of an unlimited budget. "Sexist much? Shopping for clothes is not my favorite thing."
"Calling me names again?" I ask, realizing this is a good time to bring up her calling me a numbskull the night before.
"Making an observation," she says, clearly unrepentant.
I don't want to come down too heavy on her. Adjusting to a role she didn't expect to have will be a challenge for her, but Catalina will have to learn what is expected of a don's wife.
"A proper wife would never call her husband a numbskull. Especially if he is the don."
"And a proper husband would not accuse his virgin wife of acting the whore for her father's men. Which do you think is worse?" She shakes her head, heading into the bathroom. "Never mind. I already know what you think. Your unquestioned authority as a don is what's most important to you. Slicing into my heart with your words is no sin in your eyes, I'm sure."
Incensed at the accusation, I jump out of bed to follow her. "I did not call you a whore."
"If you say so."
"I do."
"Fine."
