He pulls away far too soon, leaving me breathless.My head spins with the possibilities of what’s coming.
“Let’s take this somewhere more private,” he murmurs, kissing my fingertips.
Nico hurries me up to my room.I try not to be disappointed he isn’t taking me to his bed.We’ve been married a day, and I don’t even know where my husband sleeps.
The instant the door closes behind him, he’s on me, walking me backwards until my legs meet the bed.“Take this off.”He tugs at the zipper of my dress.The silky fabric falls to the floor.I kick it away still wearing my heels.I start to remove them, but he says, “Leave them on.Stand here and let me look at you.I’ve been thinking of nothing else since I walked in on you earlier.”
He looks me up and down, sizing me up like a hunter observing his next kill.Nico toys with me, moving in closer.He kisses my shoulder and then my neck, but doesn’t touch me with his hands, only his torturous lips.
“Have you ever gotten yourself off, Fiore Mio?”
I shake my head.
“You’ve never touched yourself?”
My cheeks bloom pink, giving me away.
“Show me.”
“What?”
“Show me how you’ve touched yourself.”
“I’d rather you touch me.”
“Are you defying my order?”he growls.Before I can answer his cell phone chirps from his pocket.His brows furrow as he pulls his phone out.He glances at the screen, his mouth pulling tight.“Fuck.I’ve got to take this,” he grumbles and leaves me trembling in my underwear.
I will always come second to his business but his leaving still stings.
Chapter Seven
Nicoleftforthecity.Leaving me all alone in this big house.Leaving me without consummating our marriage.Leaving me wanting.Craving his touch.Needing his affection.
Steam curls around me as I sink down into my bubble bath, wishing he were here.That we hadn’t been interrupted right when things were getting good.I’ve had no word from him.Only another reminder not to trust his brother before he took off.There’s been no calls from my parents or any news on Lynette.Did Father keep his word?Did he welcome them home with open arms?
Does my sister have any regrets?Does she even care that I took her place?
Highly doubtful.I don’t know why I even care at this point.What’s done is done.
I think about Nico in the city, wondering if he’s with other women.Ones with experience.Women who can fulfill all his desires.I sink further into the deep clawfoot tub, wanting to feel weightless.My dark hair sticks to my skin like the tangled vines covering the garden wall.I’m restless.Anxious.Constantly on edge.It’s only when I’m with Nico that I feel safe.I know how ironic that sounds considering what everyone says about him.That he murdered Catherine.
Unable to relax, I pull the plug from the drain.The water makes a strangled sound as it moves through the old creaky pipes.I step onto the rug, wrapping a towel around myself.I glimpse my reflection in the large ornate mirror that hangs over the pedestal sink.
Something moves behind me in the mirror.A scream bubbles in my throat, but when I turn around, there’s nothing there, and the sound about to leave my mouth dies on my tongue.I turn back to the mirror, hating how easily my mind plays tricks on me.Especially in this place.The house feels alive.It’s unsettling, and I’m wishing Nico had taken me with him.
I stare at my wide-eyed reflection, afraid it’s going to jump out and strangle me.The energy in the air buzzes around me like an electric current.I hurry through the motions preparing for bed but have no doubt of sleep eluding me tonight.
“Don’t trust Marco,” Nico’s warning sounds in my head.“Stay away from the east tower.”
Did Marco have something to do with what happened there?With Catherine?Did he kill Nico’s wife?I need answers.I brush my teeth hurriedly and run a comb through my wet hair, failing to do much about the tangled mess.
Stepping back into my bedroom, I find my warmest pajamas and a pair of slippers.
The hallway is quiet and chilly.The only sound is that of the wind howling outside.I don’t want to risk being caught snooping in the east tower again, but the library isn’t off limits.
I walk quietly, pausing when the floor creaks.The whispers swirl around me.I still can’t make out what they are saying, if they are saying anything it all.They sound like static.Like an out-of-range radio frequency.I ignore the pull as they try to lead me to the east tower.
I make it to the library without passing a living soul.A shiver oozes down my spine as I run my fingers along the spines of the books on the nearest shelf.I ignore them and go straight for Nico’s desk.I don’t know what I’m looking for, but there must be something here to give me more insight into the man I’ve married.
