Chapter 1
Millie
Istared at my reflection in the mirror as I finished securing the clasp of my diamond tennis bracelet. Bright green eyes twinkled back at me as I tilted my head, pushing back the curtain of dark hair behind one ear.
Matching diamond earrings winked back at me, as if to reassure me that I looked perfect.
Even though I had nowhere to be tonight, that didn't stop me from dressing the part. The adoring wife. Classy, wealthy, and privileged.
It was a position in which I had many role models to draw from—my mother, for one.
Never look anything but your best, my dear. Even at home.
My phone beeped, and the distinct sound I had assigned to my husband's messages sent an excited shiver down my spine. As it often did whenever I thought of him.
Alessio:Home late tonight. Wait up for me? x
My stomach dipped before it rose again. My face betrayed no emotion as I dutifully replied.
Millie:Of course. I'll let Rose know to keep a plate warm for you x
He was late again. It was the same case most nights, so I had no idea why I thought tonight would be any different. After all, he was late the night of our second wedding anniversary party last week. I'd kept the crowd entertained, laughing and circling the room while my husband continued to work through the first hour.
But Alessio was a busy man. If he wasn't working in his London office, he was either in Scotland, Italy, France, or America, overseeing his portfolio of hotels.
I didn't want to complain. After all, I was a very lucky and privileged woman. Even without my marriage to Alessio, my life had been filled with private education, butlers, house managers, drivers, and expensive holidays abroad. My dad golfed with the Earl of Foley every Saturday, and my mum grew up with direct descendants to the throne, some of whom she was still close friends with.
So I had no reason to be discontent. And when Alessio was present, he was a passionate and generous husband. We rarely argued; we had a lot in common and a healthy sex life. I knew he cared for me and respected my position as his wife.
It was just unfortunate that those emotions were about the extent of what Alessio felt for me. I was under no illusion that he loved me. Loved my body, sure. Loved my familial connections, yes. Loved that I organised his many dinner parties, knew who every guest was, and their relevant titles. He loved that I knew how to work a crowd and how to make each person I came across feel special. He didn't need to keep me by his side during dinner events to ensure I said the right thing and behaved a certain way.
Convenient.
The perfect trophy wife with the right connections.
It wasn't his fault that I had fallen madly in love with him.
In fact, most people who knew how we started would be surprised that I had any affection for him at all. But you couldn't help who you loved.
With a deep sigh, I started on the clasp of my bracelet. After all, there was no point in wearing it when I had no one to impress.
Warm lips caressed my neck, causing an involuntary shiver to rattle my skin. A moan escaped me as fingers slid up my silky-smooth thighs.
"Alessio?" I murmured.
"Who else would it be?"
Firm lips covered my own, and I eagerly opened to welcome the smooth invasion of his tongue. Warm skin and a hair-roughed chest greeted me, and I couldn't stop the groan of pleasure that climbed my throat.
Alessio naked was my favourite way to find him. And although I'd waited up—annoyed—until nine p.m., all negative thoughts escaped me as my body turned to goo under his knowledgeable touch.
In one fell swoop, my nightie was nothing more than a puddle on the floor. His body fit neatly between my thighs, and I snaked my hands up his side until they clasped around his smooth back.
"You drive me mad." He groaned against my throat. "My sweet wife."
Sweet wife.
My eyes flew open, and I stared at the ceiling while his large frame moved over me.
