Page 11 of Love Me Always

My name spilled out of her lips so seductively, even though I knew she didn’t mean it that way. The image of her leaning against the wall, caged between my arms, was permanently etched into my mind.

“Lorenzo?” Victor clapped his hand on my shoulder, bringing me back to the present.

“Sorry, forgive me. What were we discussing?” I accepted the tumbler Victor that handed me and knocked it back, which earned me a disapproving look from my father and of course, my soon to be father-in-law.

“We were discussing the marriage arrangement.” Victor placed his finger against his chin and watched me intently.

“I thought everything was already agreed. I make an honest woman of your daughter and our alliance remains as it has done for all these years.” I glanced at my father who was actually silent for once. “So, what else could you possibly have to add?”

"Unless you decide to divorce my daughter or commit adultery, the alliance will remain strong for years to come." I assumed he was joking for a second, but when I switched my gaze between him and my father, I saw they were both deadly serious.

"Would the alliance still remain if it wereyour daughter who commits adultery?" I was testing Victor's patience to the limit, and I was loving every fucking second of it. His mouth curved into a sneer as my father placed his hand on Victor’s shoulder.

"I can assure you that Anastacia would never do such a thing since she is fully aware of what is expected of her. I can easily say, without a doubt in my mind, she’ll be a perfect wife." Victor couldn't be more offended than he was right now. "Anastacia understands the significance of our alliance and would never jeopardise that." He had finally realised what type of man he had arranged for his preciousdaughter to marry, and I could see I was slowlygetting to him.

“I can promise you, Victor, Lorenzo will treat your daughter with the utmost respect and will be faithful and devoted to heruntil the end. Won’t you, son?" My father was attempting to diffuse the situation that wasdevelopingin the Fedorov household.

Victor didn’t need to be concerned with what I do with his daughter; I'll show her as much as she deserves, which at present isn't very much, given her actions and attitude.

"Indeed, she can expect nothing less than a perfect husband once she becomes my wife." Nobody said I had to remain faithful from now until the wedding, so the only thing I was lying about was my ability to be the perfect husband.

That would never happen.

Not for her.

Not for anyone.

“Lorenzo, you must remain faithful to my daughter from now on. If I so much as find out you've hadyour dick in another woman, the arrangement is off, and you can consider yourself at war with your most trusted ally. Do I make myself clear?” Victor was infuriated at this point. His brows almost touched in the centre as he furrowed them, his hand tightened around his tumbler, and within seconds,it was nothing butshattered fragments on the marble floor.

“Crystal.” The scarlet red liquid fell from his palm onto the numerous pieces on the floor, yet he seemed unfazed.

"Will Anastacia joinus for dinner?" my father asked casually as he wrapped a crisp white napkin around Victor's hand.

"I didn’t inquire."

"Why don't you go check on her and see how she's feeling?" As my father made a ridiculous suggestion, Victor's nostrils flared with rage.

"I'll have Miles check on her; I think Lorenzo should stay here so we can keep an eye on him." Victor jerked his hand away and tossed the napkin onto the barwithout hesitation.

"Victor, how can we expect them to get along if we keep them separated? I trust myson, and besides, he's only checking up on her." My father spoke in a much calmer tone.

“Fine, but if I so much as see a hair out of place on her head, I’ll take yours.” I laughed, which enraged him even more.

“I won’t lay a finger on her until the wedding night anyway.” I winked before heading towards the grand staircase.

"I'm serious, boy," Victor called out from behind me, his tone tinged with rage and irritation.

"As am I." As always, I made sure I had the final say.

I took two steps at a time and strode along the corridor, which brought me to the same staircase Anastacia had climbed not so long ago. A singledoor stood at the veryend of the corridor,one secluded from the others.

Soothing music came from behind the large darkwooden door. It wasn’t the melody I imagined her listening to, not that I had actually imagined it. I rapped my knuckles loudly enough to be heard, but there was no response.

“Anastacia?” Again, after knocking for a second time, there was still no response.

I placed my hand on the cool steel door handle, which was unlocked, surprisingly. Although she had a stranger in her house, she stillhadn't felt the need to lock it.I called her name again, and I was not sureif she was ignoring me or if shejustcouldn't hear me, but it grated on my nerves all the same.

As I opened the door ever so slightly, I saw her. She stood in front of the full-length mirror, moving her never-ending waves over her right shoulder, revealing her sun-kissed bare back. My gaze followedher delicate fingers as she lowered the zip over her ass,revealing the ruby red lace beneath. I couldn’t tear my gaze away from her as she slid the barely visible straps down her arms, letting the deep crimson fabric pool at her feet. My cock twitched at the sight of her in only a pair of skyscraper heels and skimpy lingerie.

---