hold your tongue.

Serena was absolutely petrified of the moment that she would be handed off to Carter like she was nothing mroe than a bargaining tool. She knew that she had no choice in this happening - her father had always been a firm man who was in charge and she certainly did not tell him no. The only thing now was that it was in regard to her marriage. She had just finished her third year of college, having just turned 21 so she was still young. Still protected from most horrors of the world but she had heard tales of the Romano family. Of their personalities, how they treated people.

And she was now to marry the boss's son. All to keep her family safe. If she didn't, her father would lose everything. And that simply wasn't an option.

Today, Serena was moving into the Romano's family home with Carter. It was still three months until their wedding day but this was meant to happen so that Carter and Serena could get accustomed to each other before their wedding.

Serena was sitting all alone in the house, perching carefully on the couch in the living room. She had only arrived a few minutes ago but movers would be arriving tomorrow with most of her things. For tonight, she only had a bag packed of essentials she would need. Chewing on the inside of her lip, Serena's heart was pounding as she waited for Carter's arrival. She prayed that the things she had heard were false but.. he was a Romano.

When she heard a car door shut outside, Serena's heart skipped a beat before she pushed to her feet. Shakily smoothing down the material of her lacey, white cocktail dress. She'd chosen it because it hugged her curves and made her appear far more confident than she felt. The white represented that she was pure. She forced a smile to her lips when the front door opened and closed, knowing that the man was her future husband before she even saw him. Running her fingers through her hair, a nervous habit of hers, Serena looked up to meet his gaze.

She swallowed thickl, realizing how attractive he was. Tall, dark, and handsome. A shiver ran down her spine but she did her best to conceal it. "It's wonderful to finally meet you, Carter," she spoke softly, blinking as she tilted her head slightly.

@ castle.
A deep breath escaped from Carter as he exited his sleep black car. He had just finished a meeting with a few of his men at a construction site. The Romanos were building a casino a couple of cities over, one of the most luxurious and most looked forward to of the wealthy. The contractor had run into some problems with the pipework, so he needed Carter to look over some other possibilities. Not much trouble, but it did make him a little late to meet his wife. Which, he didn't mind. She was just his sow so that his family stayed on top.

Walking to the front door, Carter didn't even need to bother to check if the door was locked or not. No one dared to come to the Romano residence unless they had a death wish. Plus, the armed guards at the gate and that walked the grounds were enough to scare away the most common thieves. Any idiot that tried to get onto their land, tended to be dead before they could rethink their plot.

Stepping inside, Carter had to stop midstep as he spotted a pretty young girl standing in his living room. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she spoke his name so casually. Who was she? He hadn't seen her before. Then, it hit him. She was to be his wife. "Serena, I presume?" He offered up, arching an eyebrow as he not so subtlely looked her over. Taking her in from head to toe. She seemed to have quite the figure, one that he wouldn't mind having his hands roam.

Turning away from her, Carter walked towards the small dry bar that was off to the side in the living room. "Care for a drink, Serena?" Carter asked, his back to the young woman as he popped open a bottle of scotch and started to pour the light brown liquid into the glasses that were placed on top of the old-looking wood. Carter didn't even listen to Serena if she had agreed to have a drink or not as he grabbed two glasses and turned towards the young beauty that was standing in front of him. "Sit." He said a bit of a commanding tone in his voice as he motioned for her to sit on the couch. Then, he walked towards her and handed her the glass and sat across from her in the recliner. One leg over the other as he leaned back and raised his glass. "To living a nice life together." He mused, then brought his glass to his lips and finished half the drink in one gulp.

Serena froze completely when Carter's eyes narrowed. It was slight but she had grown up in a world full of dangerous men. She had learned how to read them. And he thought she was a threat. She dropped her head, her eyes locked on the ground as she gave a tiny nod of her head. It was all that she gave in answer to his first question. She didn't know how else to respond to him. Her father had been sure to tell her just how dangerous the Romano family was and what they were capable of. He wanted no chance of this marriage not working to strengthen their ties.

Opening her mouth to tell him no, that she didn't want a drink, Serena's words fell short when he reached for two glasses. She wasn't one for heavy drinking but she didn't know how Carter would react and she didn't want to step off on the wrong foot, so early on. She was quick to move back toward the couch, sitting when Carter told her to. She didn't need to be told twice. She hoped that if she showed him that she could be obedient, that the horrible tales she had heard would stay that way. Just horror stories to keep her in line.

Crossing her ankles, Serena thanked Carter quietly as she took the offered glass from him. She took a steadying breath, raising her glass just as he did. She gave the best smile that she could, hoping that Carter couldn't tell just how nervous she was. She felt like she'd been thrown into the lion's pit... or like she was auditioning for a role that she didn't even want. That she had no choice in.

"Did you.. have the chance to eat tonight?" Serena paused, taking her first sip of the alcohol. Her face scrunched a bit as she tried her best to ignore the burn of the alcohol. "I can put something together if you'd like," she offered after a moment, not sure what else to do. Serena had a ton of questions but her father's constant reminding that she was to take care of Carter's needs before her own were in the front of her mind. There was no escaping them.

@ castle.
Lowering his glass to rest on the arm of the chair, Carter let out a small sigh of satisfaction. He enjoyed a nice drink after his meetings for the day had ended. It was a habit he picked up from his father, and his father before him had the same habit as well. It was in the family to have a glass of scotch at least once a day. It kept the organs moving, kept the men's tradition alive.

Shifting his gaze towards Serena as she spoke, Carter arched an eyebrow at her question. His lips pursing together at her question. "No, I haven't," He said casually as he raised his glass to his lips once more and took a smaller sip of his drink. Amusement starting to swirl in his dark pools of browns that he possessed."So you can cook?" He asked, a slight tone of surprise seeping into his words as he spoke. Usually, the Romano's had maids and chef's preparing their food, so to hear that Serena could cool surprised him. Well, his mother cooked on occasion, but stopped when she was caught trying to add sleeping pills to his father's dinner one night. she was killed after that, now they have guards watching the chefs to make sure nothing like that happens again.

"Sure, as long as it's edible and not burnt." Carter said and raised his hand that was holding his glass as he motioned behind Serena. "Don't know if you explored the house yet, but the kitchen is that was." He told her, not getting up to lead the way. Carter was comfortable in his relciner and didn't feel like getting up yet.

Serena nearly laughed at the relief she felt when Carter mentioned that he hadn't eaten dinner yet. She felt most useful in the kitchen when she was at home. She had learned from her mother and grandmother how to cook and adopted their ways - she tended to make far too much food, even for a lot of people. She showed that she cared through her cooking, even if she didn't always get the chance to speak her feelings. If she showed Carter that she could cook and be useful, surely that would make him happy. Right?

She was quick to nod her head, feeling a bit more brave.. Serena lifted her gaze but didn't quite meet his gaze yet. She wasn't that brave just yet. Serena smiled, a bit more genuinely this time. "Momma and Grandma taught me. If there's one thing I know how to do, it's that," she said with a soft giggle. Serena bit down on his bottom lip, deciding not to mention her schooling. As far as she knew, that was over with. If she ever became comfortable enough to bring it up, she would but until then, she would try to find her place in this new life.

When she stepped into the kitchen and started putting together a simple pasta dough, Serena was a bit uncomfortable when she realized there was a man watching her every move. She nearly said something before shaking her head and focusing her attention back on the task at hand. If this was what was required here, Serena knew she didn't have a say in the matter. Letting the dough rest, Serena was quick to slice up chicken and bacon.

By the time that she had finished cooking, Serena had made two plates of traditional chicken carbonara. She hesitated for a moment before carrying them over to the table in the dining room. Smoothing down the skirt of her dress, Serena stepped back into the living room. She paused, clearing her throat. "Dinner's ready now, it's set on the table. Would you prefer it in here?" She hurried, realizing that she shouldn't have assumed. Clearing her throat, Serena raised an eyebrow. "Would you like me to pour you a glass of wine or are you okay?"

@ castle.
At the sound of Serena's giggle, Carter could feel his breathing hitch. The sound was not something he expected to hear from her. She seemed to scare him to let out any sort of enjoyment of her own. An yet, she giggled. It was so sweet and light, kind of like light spring rain on the window panes. Interesting, Carter usually hated when girls let out little giggles like that. An yet, he didn't completely hate hers.

Staying in his chair, Carter watched as Serena moved towards the kitchen. Her ass seemed to sway back and forth in that little dress of hers. Making Carter wonder what she could be wearing underneath it. If anything at all. The idea was enough to cause Carter's cock to twitch ever so slightly, making him sit up straighter and uncross his legs.

Leaning forward in his chair, Carter pulled out his phone and started to look up some information in this woman. He was supposed to read up the information he had on her before she arrived, but he's been so damn busy that he just hadn't had the chance to. Halfway through, Carter heard Serena speaking and looked up towards her. His face blanks as he hated being interrupted. "I'll eat at the table," Carter said after a couple of moments of staring at Serena. He had debated on telling at her to shut her damn mouth but had decided that now wouldn't be the best time. He'll have to set some ground rules for her later. Now, he was just going to let her settle in.

"Wine would be good," Carter added in as he stood up. He turned his phone off and set it into his pocket. Then, he made his way into the kitchen. Only pausing to take his jacket off and laying it over the back of the couch. He'll put it away later. Or he'll have Serena do it so that she could find their bedroom. He'll think about that later though, he was too tired to care.

The smell of the freshly made food it Carter with a surprising intensity. It smelled amazing, like a five-star meal. Not that he'd tell Serena that though, she was just a girl. She didn't need that compliment going to her head or anything. Sitting down in his seat, Carter didn't say anything to Serena as he took a small bite of the pasta. Savoring the bite then giving a small nod of approval before continuing to eat.

Serena felt her heart skip a beat when Carter simply stared at her after she had spoken. She opened her mouth to apologize, for what she didn't know, but it seemed pretty clear that she had somehow upset him. But before she could find the right words, Carter was agreeing to eat at the table. She nodded hurriedly, swallowing around the lump in her throat as she turned to lead the way back through the kitchen. She paused long enough to pour Carter a glass of wine. She settled on a glass of water for herself, deciding that it was her best bet. She didn't want to end up getting drunk and making a fool of herself. After all, Serena had never been a big drinker to begin with.

Serena walked over to the dining room table, quick to set the glasses down before she moved over to her seat. Smoothing out the back of her dress, Serena sat and crossed her ankles. She was quiet as she sat, waiting for any indication that Carter enjoyed the meal she had prepared. If he didn't, Serena would be quick to return to the kitchen to prepare something else. Upsetting both her future husband and a man as powerful as Carter Romano was the last thing she would ever want to do.

Relieved when he gave a nod and continued to eat, Serena took her first bite of the food. She took Carter's lead and remained quiet, not wanting to disrupt it. If Carter chose to, she would happily talk but as her father had taught her, it was best to remain quiet. It was only when they'd both finished their plates that Serena was brave enough to be the one that broke the silence.

"I'll take that," Serena was still just as soft spoken as she gathered their plates and took them into the kitchen to deposit them in the sink. She paused in the entry way, eyeing Carter for a moment. "Would you like another glass of wine?" She was offering him something so surely that had to be okay. Right?

@ castle.
As Carter finished his food, he sat back in his seat and watched Serena with his dark eyes. Amused as she gathered the dishes without even having to be told. It would seem that she was taught to be a good wife. Raised to listen to her husband. A good wife indeed. Especially with her soft-spoken words. Just thinking about how she's a good wide brought a small smile onto Carter's lips.

"No, I'm fine." He told Serena and watched her as she went to the sink to clean them. His bottom lip slowly pulled between his lips as he watched her. His eyes going to that luscious ass of hers. His hands flinched as he felt himself wanting to squeeze that little ass as he fucked her against that counter. Or, maybe having her ride him as he sat in his favorite rocking chair. Oh, things were going to be good in this marriage of theirs.

Standing up, Carter had enough of watching Serena doing things an adult would do for their significant other. He wanted her to do that, but not right now. It was getting pretty late and he wanted to start integrating her into what he wanted. An adorable little to take care of. Someone who he could touch as much as he wanted. Someone who he can take care of just as much as he could take care of them.

"Serena," Carter said calmly as he moved up behind her. He placed his hands on her hips to get her attention and then slowly turned her around to look up at him. "Leave them. They'll get done in the morning." He told her as he leaned over and turned the water off. Then. he reached over and grabbed one of the hand towels that were nearby and dried her hands for her before tossing it onto the counter. Then, he took her hand and led her upstairs towards their room. "There are a few sleeping items in that dresser for you, pick one and change into it." He told her as he motioned to the dresser that held a couple of onesies that would fit her.

Serena was quick to nod her head when Carter said he was fine, heading into the kitchen. She was intent to start cleaning the dishes because she never did like to let them pile up. If she did, it would end up taking too damn long to get them done. She looked up when Carter stepped up behind her, her name caught her attention even more. Serena tensed when his hands dropped to her waist and turned her around. She bit down on her bottom lip, holding her hands up so that they wouldn't wet Landon's shirt.

She jolted slightly when Landon dried her hands off but she assumed it was just a polite thing that he was trying to do. It couldn't be anything more. Right? Serena gave him a soft smile, reluctant to leave the dishes but she did as she was told despite herself. Carter would soon be her husband, denying him a simple request to retire to bed wasn't right.

When they reached the bedroom, Serena slid her shoes off and set them down in the corner so that they would stay out of the way. She looked up when Carter directed her toward a dresser, mentioning sleep clothes. She assumed they were pajamas so when she pulled a drawer open and saw the onesies, her face scrunched. Serena tilted her head to the side and she pushed them around, trying to find a set of pajamas for her. When she couldn't find them, Serena paused. She lifted her head, turning toward Carter with a slight frown.

"Sorry, am I.. in the wrong drawer?" Serena asked, confusion edging into her voice as she looked toward Carter for a bit of direction.