Page 22 of Own Me

You,I almost blurt out.

But because that's just too disgustingly pathetic—-

"Where are you going to sleep?"

A moment passes, and just as my anxiety threatens to erupt into full-blown panic—-

"My room is right across yours,tesoro."

"Good to know," I mutter just before faking a yawn and flipping to my side.

"Anything else?"

I fake another yawn. "Nope, nothing. G'night."

His lips touch my forehead just as I close my eyes, and I'm once again fighting back tears as I hear my bedroom door close behind him.

I'm no longer alone.

After everything I've lost, and everything I've gone through—-this is more than enough. I'll work hard to be the best wife to Cesare Marchetti, and I swear to myself that I won't ever be so greedy as to wish for him to love me...the way I've already begun to fall in love with him.

Cesare

He stood outside the room, silent and motionless, and over half an hour had gone by before he finally heard her breathing settle down.

Penelope was finally asleep, and it was only at this moment Cesare finally allowed himself to turn away.

Tension still gripped his body even as he walked back into his old bedroom. It was indeed right across hers, just as he had said. But what was a complete lie was the way he had made her believe he meant to sleep here all along.

What the fuck was happening to him?

He had never been thissoftwith another woman outside his family. All of them had been expendable, and he couldn't even recall sparing a few seconds to consider their feelings. The moment he tired of a woman, he would not waste time getting rid of her. The moment a former lover would displease him, he would just as swiftly replace her with someone else.

But Penelope was different, and it was not just because his duty tofamigliarequired him to marry her.

Maybe it was guilt,Cesare thought broodingly.

She had suffered a lot, and more than she fucking deserved, and all because of his negligence.

He owed her, and that was why he was soft.

Just that.

Memories of Penelope started playing back in his mind, and Cesare bit back a groan when he suddenly found himself reliving the alluring feel of her body against his.

FUCK.

He ended up jerking himself off in the shower, which was something he had not done since he first discovered sex at the tender age of ten.

Cesare headed down to the library afterwards to pour himself a drink, but he soon found himself disconcerted to find the place already occupied, and with his grandmother nursing what looked like a glass of wine in her hand.

The older woman motioned for him to join her, and he obligingly walked forward.

Her grandson's hair was still lightly wet from the shower, and Potenziana smiled in satisfaction upon seeing this.

Cesare was not unaware of the way his grandmother was watching his every move as he poured himself a shot of whisky. "You have something to say,Nonna?"

"I'm only curious...you are spending the night here, I take it?"

---