Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 101247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
“Francesca is my wife. You do not ever speak of her.”
“Yes, Boss.” Orlando’s voice shakes.
“And if you do have to refer to her for some unavoidably important matter you call her Signora Barone. Do you hear me?”
“Yes-s, Boss.” His eyes show fear. “Forgive me. It will not happen again.”
I turn to the stage where Nina rounds up her session, and the crowd claps and cheers.
“I think she’s coming over here, Boss. Want me to head her off?” Orlando asks just as Nina pushes through the crowd towards me.
I shake my head.
I watch as she sashays towards me, her hips undulating sexily as she walks. Seconds later, she stands before me, her arms gently circling my neck, lowering her head to kiss me. My body doesn’t want the kiss. My head turns of its own accord, and her lips land on my cheek. She pulls away and stares at me in confusion for a few seconds before taking the alcohol bottle from my hands and pouring herself a small measure into my goblet.
“I missed you,” she says, sipping from the glass. Over the rim, her gaze drops to my crotch. “You’re the only real man around here.”
I stare at her curiously. God, how is it possible, but I feel nothing.
Nina smiles, then finishes the brandy and sets the empty glass on the bar behind me. She touches me again, pushing her body into me and rubbing it against me. The scent rising from her full breasts is the only thing in my nostrils. It always worked in the past.
“My session is over,” she whispers into my ear while one long red fingernail runs down my throat.
This is a willing woman. A willing, experienced, skilled woman. Just a few moments with Nina, and she will have my cock spurting thickly with satisfaction.
Yet, there’s no…excitement. None.
My thoughts remain ensnared by Francesca in her swirling wedding dress, and it annoys and frustrates me to no end. She is not willing. Why can’t I just take what Nina is so blatantly offering?
“Let’s go over to my place,” Nina says coyly. “I’m dying to take this dress off.”
I let the bottle drop from my hands and it crashes to the floor.
Nina jumps, stepping back away from me. “Valentino?”
“I’m a married man now, Nina.” There’s no twinge of regret in my voice. “I can never be with you again.”
Her face falls. She is obviously confused. “I don’t- I … But you don’t love her?”
I nod. “I don’t.”
I don’t love Francesca Barbieri, I repeat internally to myself as well. I hate her to the point where my blood boils whenever I look at her. Yes, I walk around with a gold bracelet in my pocket, but I don’t love her. I’m sure of that. If I can feel this much emotion from hating Francesca Barbieri, I never want to love her. Imagine the hell that would be.
“Can I interest you in a game, Boss?” Orlando says quickly and wisely. “We can make the stakes as high as you wish, the bloodier the better.” He gestures towards the rooms at the back where there are green velvet tables with colorful chips on them. With his other hand he is covertly trying to gesture to Nina to get her to fuck off, but she isn’t listening. All she can do is stare at me with shock and hurt. I barely notice. She is now dead to me.
Yes, a game would be good. I nod and follow him, walking away from Nina without a backward glance. So much for my need to let off steam with another woman.
Chapter Four
FRANCESCA
“Mama, it’s good to hear from you,” I say into the phone, as I stare at the romantic glow cast by the ornate and beautiful street lamps below my window. Earlier, I got one of the chambermaids to come up and help me out of my bridal dress. Afterwards, I took a long hot shower and I’m now standing by the tall windows wearing the ivory and lace nightie Louisa insisted looked the best on me.
Valentino left about four hours ago, and he still isn’t back. I know he is not working, so he’s probably out there with another woman, just like Papa. He too thought nothing of parading his whores under Mama’s nose.
It further convinces me that I am right to hate him. He reminds me of my father in too many ways. Above all though, I hate myself more for my body’s insane reactions to him. It is quite clear to me now that my body will always succumb and betray me when it comes to him.
That last kiss haunts me and makes me curious about what more from him will feel like. I cannot even believe that these are the thoughts running through my mind but Thomas and everyone else and their mom is right. Valentino is an unbelievably attractive and dangerous man. I want him, I have to admit. Even if it’s just a brief taste. I’ll burn in hell however before admitting that to anyone, even myself.