Page 42 of Stolen Christmas
“No, Mother. Thank you. Though, I’d like to have a talk with my fiancée for a moment.” His brisk tone and harsh expression immediately sends a rush of fear up my spine. The brief moment of joy I received from his kiss and words has evaporated.
“Right now?” I’m not sure I want to talk to him when he’s like this. I’m not afraid he’ll physically hurt me, but I’ve gotten used to being around him, and I don’t like the way he’s pushing me away.
“Yes, right now.”
“Excuse me,” I say. Standing and walking over to Luca, he takes my hand and leads me out of the room. We enter a private sitting room, and I can’t hold it back anymore. I have to ask. “You know you can call off the wedding, right? My brother and I can just leave and be out of your hair forever.”
His brows furrow in confusion before twisting in anger. I watch his shoulders tense up, and then he closes the distancebetween us; I can feel his breath on my face. “Don’t think for one fucking instant that you’re getting out of this. I’m not sure what in the world possessed you to say something like that to me. You’re probably already carrying my child.”
“Maybe not. We don’t have to rush this wedding, you know.”
“Why? So you can find an excuse to escape? You know that you became a target the second you landed in my arms. You know that explosion was meant for you, damn it.”
“You don’t think I know that? I’m sorry your man was killed. I truly am, but we don’t need to rush a wedding you don’t want.”
“Get this through your pretty little head. There will be no one else. Our vows are for life, Amore. Life. I’m not like Fields. There is no infidelity allowed.”
“Is that why you’re getting it out of your system now?” I challenge him.
He tilts his head, giving me a scowl, but he’s not angry as much as he looks shocked, almost indignant. “You think I’m out fucking around?”
“Why wouldn’t I? You couldn’t keep your hands off me, then you suddenly go cold as hell and ignore me completely for days.”
He smirks with smugness all over his totally handsome, rugged jaw. He’s shaved the past two days, which makes me more suspicious too, like does this woman not like his scruff? “Oh, so that’s what this is about? You’re upset that I haven’t been pleasing you for two days.”
“No. It’s just the logical reason. Not that I want you fucking me every two minutes.”
“You’re lying to me. You want me inside of you, and yet you’ll hate yourself for it the moment the pleasure has passed.” He caresses my cheek, and I move into his touch, needing more. “See. You cannot deny what we have. It’s magnetic, Angel.”
“I’ve had no experience before. Maybe I just happen to like sex.”
“Amore, you’re playing a dangerous game, but you won’t win. Touch another man, and he won’t live to see another sunrise.” His lips press against mine, and I moan against my will, causing Luca to smile like the smug bastard he is. “Unfortunately, I have more business affairs to attend to before the wedding. Be happy—tomorrow you will see your brother.”
Is he confused about the day? “But tomorrow is Christmas Eve?”
“Yes, would you not like that?” He holds my face as he asks, and I want to kiss the man, even though he’s a manipulative prick.
“I’d love that. You know that I would.”
“We can talk about that later, after we’re married, of course. Now don’t be a brat, or I’ll postpone your brother’s visit.”
“Please don’t. I miss him so much, and I need to know how he’s been. I promise that I’ll be good.”
“Good. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go.” He leans down and takes my mouth in a soft, heart-melting kiss again. I nearly collapse with how good it feels, but he holds me firmly in his grasp. “Tonight, I’m going to make sure you understand that my fidelity is yours, even if I don’t have your heart.” He walks out, and a part of me honestly wonders if he’s just trying to con me into submitting, or if he actually cares for me.
I leave the room and go back to meet his mother, and we continue with the wedding plans as if nothing has happened. Shedoes her best to ignore the truth, or maybe she’s not completely aware of our relationship.
The day seems to drag on. It’s Christmas Eve Eve, and I’m worse than a kid on Christmas waiting for my turn for a present. My need for Luca isn’t just for the sex, and I know it, which only makes me more upset. I am falling for the small things, the morning breakfasts that are brought to me, the simple forehead kisses, the questions about my parents or about my past. Even when he isn’t fucking me, he’s talking to me, at least when he’s home. Something he hasn’t been for the past two days. Is this his usual? He does have the condo that is much more convenient in the city.
After Marco takes me back to the property along with several other guards, which I think is strange, I enter feeling sad. Is he afraid that after questioning everything that I’d make a break for it? From the looks of things, it appears he tripled the security.
“I’m not going to run off. He didn’t need to add all of you guys. It’s not like you can’t catch me by yourself. I was a dancer, not a runner,” I tell Marco.
“Ma’am, he’s not worried about you running. The security is for your safety while he’s not home.”
“Oh.” Having had dinner with Mr. and Mrs. D’Antonio, I go for a run on the treadmill to calm my thoughts. I need to clear my head, and getting some exercise always does the trick. By the time I’m done, it’s late so I head to our bedroom and wash away the sweat. The shower eases the ache of my muscles, but not the ache between my legs.
I open the closet and look for something to wear. Immediately my eyes linger on a beautiful piece of fabric that the stylist said would drive Luca mad. If he keeps his promise, this will blow his mind. If he doesn’t, well, I’ll toss it in the trashin the morning after I cut it to pieces. Sliding it down my now dried body, I love the way the soft material lays over my figure. I examine myself in the mirror, and I’m stunned. I look ethereal.
