Page 21 of Corrupt Desires

“Hmm, I’ll have to think about it…” She taps her chin with her finger and sneaks a mischievous look from the corner of her eye.

I get down on my knees in front of her, my hands resting on her thighs.

“Emilia Stonewell, will you please, ever so graciously, go out on a date with me tomorrow at 7 P.M.?”

I look up at her with pleading eyes, and it’s almost my undoing when she bites her lower lip.

“Emilia, love. You can’t do that unless you want me to sweep you from this bathroom and throw you on the bed.”

She has the audacity to smirk, quickly clapping a hand to her mouth to stifle her laugh. I love the sound of it. Not once has she graced me with a laugh that was solely on my behalf. I could listen to the sound and die a happy man.

Fifteen

Emilia

His eyes darken with a savage promise. If I keep it up, I have no doubt that he’ll keep his word and take me to the bedroom like a caveman.But do I want that right now?I have been burning from his touches and heated looks, denying myself from feeling anything toward him other than a burning hatred. Would it be so bad to feel something, anything, other than this hate that I’ve clung to?

I make my decision, even though it goes against the pulsing need between my thighs. I drop my hand from my face and take his hands in my own.

“I’m starving and I’m filthy. Can I please shower and then we can eat?”

The embers in his eyes die out, not with disappointment, but rather understanding. As much as I’d love to indulge that baser need, Iamfilthy and need a good shower.

“Of course, love. Take all the time you need. I’ll go downstairs and prepare something for us.”

Once James leaves me in the bathroom, I let out a pent up breath, my whole body seeming to deflate with the crushing weight of the truth.James has always wanted me.The truth is a shock to my system. I’ve spent all these years hating the man, thinking he didn’t find me good enough to be a wife,hiswife. They say the truth will set you free, but if anything, I feel off balance, like I’m not sure what to do now, how to navigate this relationship. There is still a part of me that wants to cling to my hatred, if only because it’s a shield to keep my heart from being broken. I know underneath my hate there are other feelings for James slumbering in the depths, but right now I’m too shocked to really figure out what they might be.

I go through the motions of taking a shower, and once I’m toweled off, I pad into the bedroom and pull out a pajama set from my dresser.James must have done laundry while I was out. I pull on my satin black shorts with a lacy satin tank top; perfect for the summer heat that comes in on the breeze from the open windows.

Making my way down the stairs, I can’t help but to feel nervous, my insides twisting and turning as I make my way closer to the kitchen. Pausing in the entryway, I see no sign of James, but I smell something delicious.

“James?” I lightly shout, hoping he’s somewhere close by. I didn’t really pay too much attention when James gave me the grand tour so I’m not at all confident I can find my way around to the dining room without getting lost.

James comes from around the far corner, hands in his pockets, and leans against the door frame. “Looking for me, love?” he asks, a smirk gracing his face. The way his sleeves are rolled up accentuates the corded muscles in his arms. His black button down is just snug enough that it highlights his broad chest before tapering down to his waist. Even from across the room, I see the moment his gaze darkens, honing in on me like prey.

“Keep doing that, love, and another dinner will go to waste.”

I didn’t even realize I was biting my lip. I quickly stop, knowing that I need sustenance from my ordeal tonight so I don’t fall over from the aftermath of the adrenaline that was pumping through my veins earlier.

“Whatever you made smells delicious.”

He smiles. “Follow me, then.”

Walking across the warm tile of the kitchen, I follow James into the dining room. The room itself is quite large; there are floor-to-ceiling windows on the right side of the room, with a patio door in the middle that leads out onto a bricked patio. I can only imagine this room looks beautiful during the day when the rising sun casts rays of light into the room. In the center of the room is the main statement piece, a black walnut table that seats ten, with what appears to be a dark teal river running through it, sealed with epoxy. As I take in the room, I notice our plates of food on the table, steam lazily wafting from the pile of noodles and shrimp, topped with a healthy serving of Alfredo sauce.

“Shrimp Alfredo, one of my favorites. How did you know that?” I ask, my eyebrows drawing together as I try to piece the mystery together.

“I did my research when I knew I was going to marry you. I wanted to make sure I knew all there was to know about my future bride.”

My cheeks heat with his admission. “I can assume Matteo gave you the answers you were looking for, then?”

“I can’t go telling you all my secrets now can I, love?”

I raise an eyebrow at his words and take the offered seat that he holds out for me.Hmmm, two can play that game.As James takes the seat next to me, I peer over at him, appreciating the view as much as any sane woman would. He catches my eye and I quickly look away, grabbing my fork and digging into the food.La hostia, this Alfredo is so damn delicious. (Holy shit.) I close my eyes, and without thinking, let out a moan of contentment as the rich sauce hits my taste buds.

As I open my eyes, I startle as I catch James staring at me with hunger in his own eyes. He stares at my lips for a few seconds before dragging his gaze to my eyes.

“Em, if you want to make it through dinner, you can’t go making sounds like that. If you do, I can’t be held responsible for my actions. Actions that will end up with you spread on this table like my own damn meal.”

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