Grace had to be right. Despite what Stefan had said about setting boundaries so that neither of us got hurt when we separated, I was willing to face those consequences and I didn’t see any reason why two consenting adults who were crazily attracted to each other shouldn’t take their relationship to the next level. Even if it was solely a marriage of convenience, both of us walking around going mad with lust for the next few years (years!) wasn’t very convenient, was it? In fact, I’d imagine that this kind of intense horniness would make it very difficult for Stefan to concentrate on the work that mattered so much to him. It was hard enough for me to concentrate, and I was pretty much on vacation until the fall semester.
I wondered what Michelle would have thought of Stefan’s behavior last night. Surely, she wouldn’t chide me for not trying hard enough to seduce him, though she probably wouldn’t have approved of me yelling at him. At least, he had kissed me. Maybe that was the trick…getting him angry enough that he would lose control. My lips curved up in a wicked smile.
The thought was tempting.
Because Stefan, while extremely sexy all of the time, was unbearably hot when he was mad. The intensity in his eyes had practically caused my thong to burst into flames. He had approached me like a predator stalking its prey. And I had liked it.
I wanted more. I wanted to push him to the edge. Wanted to make him so mad that he wouldn’t have any choice but to rip my clothes off and punish me.
Just the thought of it made me shiver.
This wasn’t like me at all. Previously, when I had thought about sex and the men I wanted, I had always fantasized about someone who was sweet and kind. Someone who went slow—someone who took their time.
Now, all I wanted was Stefan. And whatever he’d expect in the bedroom, I’d be happy to give him. I had a pretty good idea of what I’d be getting, too. It would be hard, rough, and hot.
My phone buzzed.
I picked it up, expecting another text from Grace.
It was an email. From Stefan.
Sitting up, I opened it, my pulse quickening. He was literally in the next room—why was he sending an email? What could be so official, or so long-winded, that he couldn’t write a text?
The subject was ‘As requested,’ but there was no text in the body of the email, just a document attached. I quickly downloaded it to find that he had sent me an itinerary. His itinerary for the entire day—6:00 breakfast, 7:00 phone meeting with Cartier reps, 8:00 conference call with KZM associates in…
I skimmed down and my eyes caught on my own name:Tori- sightseeing. Blocked out between mid-morning and the afternoon, in black and white, was time set aside to go sightseeing. With me.
My heart gave a little flip.
It wasn’t romantic by any traditional means, but I was touched nonetheless. Because while I had been ranting and upset last night, he had clearly been listening. And then he had done something about it.
Maybe the kiss had affected him in more ways than one.
I couldn’t help smiling. I was going to get a chance to see Budapest and finally spend some quality time with my new husband. Maybe we’d actually get to know each other better, and in doing so, find a better way to communicate.
The door to the bedroom opened and I leapt to my feet, wishing I’d gotten dressed and wasn’t still lying around in my pajamas. I did my best to smooth my hair down as Stefan came in, looking impeccable as usual in his suit. I tried not to drool at how good he looked, though I also wondered: Was he going to wear this sightseeing? If so, I could certainly take the Rock Church, which was located inside an actual underground cave system, off my to-do list.
Just once, I wanted to see Stefan relaxed and casual. This whole 24/7 businessman thing was making it impossible for me to get to know him better. It wasn’t just the perfectly tailored suit that made it difficult—it was the tense expression he always seemed to pair with it.
Did the man ever smile?
I offered my own as he came into the room, but he barely glanced at me—as if he hadn’t sent the itinerary just moments ago, as if he hadn’t made a point to add time for us to sightsee together.
I didn’t understand. It was exactly what I had accused him of last night—he was hot and then he was cold. What did he want from me? Despite Grace’s reassurances, I was getting nothing from Stefan but either sexy, soul-searing kisses, or a cold shoulder and total lack of interest. Was this normal behavior for new relationships?
“You look nice,” I said, wanting to keep the peace.
He didn’t say anything, his attention focused on his phone.
“A little formal though,” I teased.
Nothing.
I was starting to feel that everything with Stefan was one step forward and two steps back. Would I ever know where I stood with my husband on a day to day basis? Would I ever know what he wanted from me?
“I just ordered up breakfast, but I’ll get ready after that,” I told him. “Are you going t—”
Before I could finish, there was a knock at the door. Stefan lifted his head lazily, as if he’d been expecting the intrusion. He headed toward the front of the suite, while I followed behind him, wrapping myself with a robe.
