Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Oscar clears his throat. “I think the excitement of the wedding has made emotions run high.”
“I think you need to work on being nicer.” Maddie shrugs. “It doesn’t cost anything to be kind.”
My amusement rises even higher as Oscar’s face turns a delightful shade of plum. I’m certain no one has ever had the nerve to scold him like this in his life. And the fact that Maddie’s doing it in front of his primary rival–me–is an even bigger bonus. If I weren’t already pretty certain I was in love with her, I’d definitely have fallen when I heard her stand up for the server and for Oscar’s wife.
“Kindness is free.” Claudio raises his glass. “Yes. Well said, Maddie.”
“To kindness.” Clara sheepishly raises her glass.
Maddie beams, her gaze meeting mine, and I kiss her hard on the mouth.
Claudio clinks his against hers, and they both drink. “Clara, have you seen the gardens in the back? They’re a little wet from the rain, but the roses are blooming. Our groundskeeper works overtime to keep it looking like an English garden back there.”
“I love flowers.” She perks up. “How did you know?”
“I can show you, if you like.” He stands and offers her his hand.
“It’s time to go.” Oscar stands abruptly and throws down his napkin. “Come.” He speaks to Clara like she would a dog.
She rises and gives Claudio one last look. “Thanks anyway.”
“Sure thing.”
“I’ll send over the new terms of our deal.” Oscar pauses at the door.
“You can send all the terms you want, Oscar, but I’ll be honoring the deal we’ve had in place for years.”
“You should choose your battles more wisely, Renato.” He glances at Maddie. “Perhaps marriage will teach you that.”
I want to pummel him into a fine pink mist for even looking at my bride.
“Thanks for coming.” Maddie waves. “And it was so nice to meet you, Clara.”
“Nice to meet you, too,” Clara says, her eyes still on Claudio.
“See you soon,” Oscar says ominously before storming out, Clara at his heels.
Claudio sinks back into his chair. “Well, that went fucking great.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “He’s planning something. You know that, right? It’s going to be bad.”
“I’ll deal with him later. For now …” I pull Maddie tightly against me and whisper my deepest desire in her ear. “Let’s go upstairs so I can taste every bit of my new bride.”
14
Maddie
Renato doesn’t wait for me to respond. He stands with me in his arms, leaving the dining room and everyone else behind. His men quickly step out of his way when they see him coming, directing their eyes away from me. I’m not sure how to take that. My hope is that they do it out of respect for Renato and not because they dislike me.
“Why do your men always look away from me?” I ask as he takes the stairs two at a time.
He carries me like I weigh nothing. I suppose to someone his size I’m as light as air. I tend to be on the curvy side, so it’s nice to feel dainty for once.
“They want to keep their eyes.”
I giggle at his response, but he doesn’t crack a smile. Oscar’s words about Renato being possessive ring in my ears.
He has no need to be that way. I’d never be the kind of girl that strayed. Heck, I’ve never even been with someone before, but I still enjoy his possessiveness. Growing up in the foster system, I never felt wanted. That’s far from the case when it comes to my new husband. He can’t keep his hands off me. Even when we’d sat down at the table earlier to eat, he pulled me into his lap.
“Eye poking? Really?” A few times I saw a darkness flash in his gaze. Would he really remove someone's eyes for looking at me? As barbaric as that sounds, I think he might.
“They aren’t going to look at you when I’m carrying you off to our bedroom where everyone knows what is about to happen.”
“Right.” Heat rushes to my cheeks. His words remind me that everyone does know what we’re about to do. How is this my life? Hours ago, I was on my way to cat sit, now I’m married and my husband is about to take my virginity. “Do you think Clara is going to be okay?” I can’t help but ask. “Her husband was a jerk face.” I could tell she was afraid of Oscar. He’s a big bully.
I dealt with a lot of them growing up. Once I was out, I promised myself that I would never allow people to be that way in front of me. I probably should have kept my mouth shut, but I couldn’t help myself.
“Jerk face.” Renato chuckles, pushing open the double doors to our bedroom.
“The kittens?” I ask as he places me down on the bed. Renato quickly returns to close and lock the bedroom doors before returning to me.