“You will never look at another man again. You will never smile at another man again. Do I make myself clear?” Martin spits as he holds my chin tightly in his hand.
Tonight, we were at a gala dinner for his work colleagues. I always smile and act courteous, and tonight was no different. I smiled a little longer at an elder man called Paul, and of course, this cretin had to see it.
“I was just being nice to your colleagues. I meant nothing by it. You have to believe me, Martin.”
I’m not placating him because I like him. I’m doing it because I want to spare myself a few extra bruises.
“Why would I believe a lying slag like you?” He back hands me across the face and I hit my head on the wall behind me. “Get up those stairs, take off that make-up, and be ready for me coming to bed.”
I hold my cheek and scurry away like a child being scolded by their parents. I wish he would have knocked me out or gone back out to be with his many whores who drop their knickers for him. Now I need to go upstairs and prepare myself for him and be ready for him to slip inside of me, have his wicked way with me, and then roll over and fall asleep. It’s just going to be another night where I have to look like I’m enjoying myself or the sexual abuse will just get harder and more punishing.
I sit upright and bang my hands down on the mattress. I’m frustrated that I let that bloody vision take over me, tonight of all nights, when I’m thinking about Giovani and how much his touch thrilled and excited me.
Tonight is going to be a very long night.
Chapter 9
Giovani
I had to walk away from Harleigh last night, because I’ve never felt as turned on by a kiss in my life. Her body against mine, her soft lips and tongue, her breath against my mouth. It was like all my dreams come true. If I’d stayed one more moment, I would have turned into a sex mad maniac and had my way with her. I don’t want to frighten her away, because I love spending time with her. Which is crazy, because I haven’t spent time with a woman in over three years. Sure, I’ve slept with a couple, a man has needs, but they’ve never interested me in anything else. Harleigh is different though. She thrills and excites me. She makes me want more.
“Morning, bro. Did Harleigh get back to the hotel okay?”
“Yeah. I’m picking her up in an hour to go to Sunny Beach with me.”
“You like her, huh?”
I nod. “I do. I can’t explain it, but I really like her.”
“Good. I’m over the fucking moon for you. You deserve some happiness, and Harleigh seems like a nice girl. It’s about time you moved on, had some fun, and just kicked back. You work too hard.”
“Kicked back? What’s that, some sort of teen slang?”
“I’m down with the cool kids.” Lucca makes a silly motion with his hands and fingers. I’m pretty sure the daft bugger forgets what age he is sometimes.
“I worry about you, bro. I really worry about you.” I shake my head.
“Don’t be daft. Get out of here, go and have some fun.”
“I might just do that after I see the building for the new bar.”
“I thought you were just sounding off some thoughts when you mentioned that last week.”
“I was, I think. But, the more I think about it, Sunny Beach is where all the nightlife and tourists are. Sure, they come over here for Old Nessebar, but it’s not a hot spot at night, unless you’re older and wiser. It might make us a tidy profit.”
“If you say so. I’ll go along with whatever you want. You’re the brains. Let me know how it goes.”
I nod, pick up my keys, down my coffee, and leave the house. Today is going to be an extremely good day. I can feel it in my bones.
***
Walking into my hotel is always a proud moment. After my ex did what she did to me, I hit rock bottom. I was ashamed of the way things turned out. When I found out that she hadn’t just slept with one person behind my back, I felt dirty and used. It was clear that she was only with me to see what she could get from me, or steal from me. Once I got away from it all, I didn’t know what to do with my life. I felt like I was sinking into a deep, dark hole and there was little light for me to see a way out. I came out to Sunny Beach for a guys’ holiday. An escape from reality; sun, sea, sex, and lots of drink. I did all of the above, but one day I took the little sea taxi from Sunny Beach Pier out to Nessebar. After walking around for hours, drinking the odd pint of lager to keep hydrated, shopping in the little shops, exploring the sights, I fell in love with the whole area. I sat in the square outside the hotel and looked up to the sky. When I straightened up my head, I saw theFor Salesign. The hotel needed some TLC, but I could picture myself here, owning the hotel, and enjoying the peak holiday season. I bought the hotel, hired Bulgarian contractors to do the work I needed, and opened for the next season. So, that pride I feel when walking inside this building comes from knowing how much of a dark place I was in, to finding the light and turning my life into something I love.
Walking out of the elevator is Harleigh. Her long, wavy hair is hanging around her shoulders today. Her sunglasses are perched on her head. Her body is encased in a short all in one playsuit. She looks like a model. Not that she would ever see herself like that. Her arsehole ex made a mark on her, and not just a physical mark, but a permanent mental mark, too. I’ll do everything in my power to make her realise that she’s smart, beautiful, and extremely kind. There is nothing negative I can say about her.
“Good morning.” Harleigh breaks through my thoughts.
I clear my throat, lean in, place a kiss on her cheek, and hold her gaze. “Good morning. How are you today?”
