The vulnerability of that scenario made my stomach twist slightly.The odd thing was, I didn't know if it was in a bad way or not.The thought of giving someone—everything—all of myself—gosh.That was frightening.
But Eve didn't seem scared.At all.
Nope.
She seemed deep, deep—deep, in love with her husband.
“Let's get you dressed.”She pushed away from the door and strode to the bed.Her hands lingered carefully on the white lace of the dress.“I can't wait to see you in this.”
Giselle smiled and stretched her hand out to me.“I know.Especially with the plunging neckline.She's going to look amazing,” she answered Eve, but kept her eyes on me the entire time.She led me over to the dress on the bed and let go of my hand.“First of all, I have some—” she winked at me, “fancy underthings.”She slipped her hand underneath the dress and pulled out stockings and a thong.“I bought the stockings the last time we were in Italy.And believe me—” she looked me right in the eye.“Carlo appreciates each and every time I wear them.”She and Eve broke out in laughter.“I figured they could be your 'something borrowed.’”She tossed the stockings to Eve.“I made the thong a while ago.It's brand new.”
Then she knelt down, the thong spread.Waiting for me.I stepped into it, and she slid it up my thighs, raising the towel with her hands as she went.
Once it was in place, Eve whistled.“Stefan is going to thank you for your handiwork.I can tell you that much.”They giggled again while Eve helped me on with the stockings.They hugged my legs, and the wide lace at the top was gorgeous.I hesitantly touched the intricate trim with my fingertips.
“All right.Time to drop the towel.”Giselle stood quickly, and before I could stop her—she whisked the towel away.
And then her face froze.
So did Eve's.
They stared at my ribs.
My still-bruised ribs.
Immediately—but still not quite fast enough—I attempted to cover my ribs with my hands.“I'm fine, really.It's almost healed up.”I felt my mouth move faster than my brain.Which was never a good thing.
The women didn't move.
Crap.
8
Francesca
Finally, Eve's eyes rose to mine.“Who did this to you?”she asked in a barely there voice.Gone was the happy, cute, fun-loving woman who'd been here a moment ago.And she was replaced with a stone-cold fierceness that frightened even me.
I shook my head and laughed nervously.“Oh, no one.I just had a fall a while ago.I'm clumsy.What can I say?”I shrugged my shoulders and turned around to the dress, hoping she'd give up on this and accept my pathetic excuse.“Where did you get this dress?”I asked, feeling stupid for not wondering why Giselle would have a long white gown in her closet.
“Honey,” Giselle's hands landed on my arms.“Hey, talk to us for a minute.”She rubbed softly up and down my arms.“Tell us what happened.”Her voice was so calm and lovely.It wrapped around me like a warm hug.
I tried to shake off her hands.“I'm fine.Just a stupid fall.Like I said.”My words rushed out like they were in some kind of race with each other.My heart was beating like crazy inside my bruised ribs.And I wished like heck these women would let me cover up with something.I felt even more naked than I already was.
“Francesca.Come on.”Giselle hugged me from behind, her head softly leaning on my shoulder.“You can tell us.”
I reluctantly set my hands on hers at my belly.“I appreciate your concern.Really, I do.But I'm okay.There's nothing to tell.”For some reason, my voice hitched on the last few words.And I felt an emotion rise up in me that I didn't recognize—that I couldn't name.
Giselle let out a loud sigh.“Are you in pain?Please tell us that at least.Do you need to see a doctor?”Her hands ended up on my shoulders, and she turned me to her.“Are you hurting?”Her eyes were filled with tears.
And those tears seemed to disarm me.
Completely.
I didn't want to tell her what had happened.That one of Raul's goons had beaten me and tried to rape me.
But I also didn't want to lie to her.
Or to Eve.
