Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 115291 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115291 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
“Is that from the blood oath?” She looked up, finally meeting my gaze. She often averted her eyes, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of my reputation or if her upbringing had taught her to cast down her gaze. It was something I wanted gone as soon as possible.
“No. This is,” I said, showing her the scar on my other hand. It was much smaller than the one Aria was still touching. “That happened in a fight. I had to stave off a knife attack with my hand.”
Aria’s eyes widened, her lips parting in surprise. I needed to kiss that mouth. Wrapping my fingers around her wrist, I led her toward the bed. She followed obediently, even though I could feel her pulse pound in her veins in fear. I decided to ignore it for now, because I had a feeling she’d still be a virgin in a year if I waited for her to be relaxed around me.
I pulled her toward the bed where I sank down and positioned her between my legs. I kissed her, enjoying her taste, the way she adapted to my demands. I let myself fall back and took her with me, my kiss becoming harder, more demanding. The feel of Aria’s body on top of mine awakened my cock. I traced her waist, her ribcage, and cupped her breast. Those clothes needed to go. I needed to feel her skin. Her heat, her scent, they were like a drug to me. I kissed her throat and ear.
“I’ve never wanted to fuck a woman as much as I want to fuck you right now,” I rasped.
Aria stiffened and turned her face away when I tried to kiss her again. She tried to sit up. For a moment, I considered holding tight, but then I released her, confused by her change in mood. She’d been into our kiss. I bet she was wet for my touch. Why did she pull back?
“I don’t want this,” she said, sounding actually disgusted, and the look on her face made me feel like my fucking father.
Anger surged through me. If she thought this was a fucking game, she’d better think again. She slipped off me and crawled under the covers. I couldn’t believe it. I’d never been turned down by a woman, much less twice, and definitely not by my own fucking wife.
Stifling my frustration, I turned the lights off. I wouldn’t be made a fool of. If Aria had no intention to turn this into a real marriage, then so be it. I had never wanted to marry, and if she preferred to keep her distance, I could keep myself entertained. I didn’t need this marriage to work. It was only for show, anyway.
I waited for her to fall asleep before I slid out of bed. It would have been disrespectful to leave while she was awake. It was a silent code of honor that husbands tried to keep that part away from their wives, even if their wives preferred them seeking out other women.
I grabbed my mobile and a few clothes before I headed downstairs. Aria’s expression, full of disgust and anxiety, kept flashing in my mind, making me feel like my father. That was the last thing I wanted to be.
My days of seeking women in clubs were over, and I couldn’t risk the press catching me. I sent Grace a text, even if I was starting to grow tired of her. “Apartment. Thirty minutes.”
She’d have to hurry to make it there in time. I left the penthouse, locking it so Aria would be safe, and drove to the apartment where Grace and I often met to fuck. My anger at Aria’s rebuke turned to anger toward Grace, because I knew she’d said something to Aria on our wedding day. Was that why she couldn’t bear my fucking touch?
Grace stepped in almost on time, slightly breathless but as usual with a heavy layer of make-up. Either she slept with that shit on her face or she’d hurried to put it on so she could meet me. “You’re two minutes late,” I said coldly.
She flushed. “I’m so sorry, Luca. I came as quickly as I could.” She removed her coat, revealing garters, a mini skirt, and a bra where her nipples peeked out. Usually that sight got me going, and I was getting hard, but for some reason it felt different, which annoyed the fuck out of me. If I couldn’t enjoy my wife, I at least, wanted to enjoy other women, but even that seemed impossible now that I was with Aria. Fuck it.
I focused on my anger, on the monster inside of me. “I don’t wait for anyone.” I pushed away from the wall, but Grace quickly stepped in front of me, touching my chest. I narrowed my eyes at her.