Sweet Temptation by Cora Reilly

My smile felt stiff. What was a stroke of luck? That Gaia Moretti had died,
leaving two small children behind? That I was married to the man who might be
responsible for her death?
Mom’s expression pinched. “For God’s sake, try harder to look happy. Don’t
ruin this for us.”
Mom didn’t even realize how cruel she was.
Luckily, Dad stepped up to me and hugged me. I sank into him. He and I had
always been closer, but recently my resentment had clouded our relationship.
“You look beautiful.”
“I don’t think Cassio agrees,” I muttered. Dad pulled back, searching my
face. His guilt and worry added another weight to my already heavy heart.
“I’m sure he appreciates your beauty,” Dad said quietly.
I kissed Dad’s cheek, and he reluctantly moved away to make room for
Cassio’s parents. I’d never talked to them and had only seen them from afar at a
couple of social functions. Mr. Moretti shared Cassio’s dark blue eyes, but his
were clouded and his impressive size was diminished by the fact that he
supported his weight on a cane. Cassio’s mother was elegant and beautiful with
dark blond hair pulled up into a perfect chignon. Behind her, Cassio’s sisters
waited, no less graceful and poised. That was how I was supposed to be. Cassio
didn’t want me for myself. He wanted me to become someone he required.
Accessories in his life.
I could hardly force food down my tight throat during dinner. Cassio didn’t talk
to me, only to his father and Luca. I sat beside him like arm candy.
Maybe it was for the best. Every time he’d talked to me so far, he ordered me
around and intimidated me only more. Considering that I’d have to share a bed
with him tonight, I preferred his silence. The chances of me passing out were
high anyway.
I slanted a look at Cassio. His facial features were attractive in an edgy way.
Sharp cheekbones, a strong jaw, and the dark stubble. I’d never seen him in less
than a three-piece suit, but his muscles were unmistakable.
“My brother played football in high school,” Mia whispered, surprising me. I
hadn’t said much to her yet. We were strangers, despite being sisters-in-law, not
to mention she was ten years older than me.
Heat rose into my cheeks, realizing she must have noticed me staring at
Cassio. I couldn’t even imagine Cassio going to high school.
“You finished this summer, right?” Mia asked.
I nodded with a small smile. “Yes. I thought I’d go to college, but…”
“But you had to marry my brother.”