Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“—and we slept in the same bed last night.”
She practically squeals with delight which leaves my ear ringing. Pretty sure I’ll never hear that particular pitch again. “Tell me everything.”
“We didn’t have sex,” I say quickly, whispering so nobody else can hear. “He just, uh, you know. Did his thing. Then we went to sleep.”
“His thing?” She almost yells it. “What the hell does that mean?!”
“He used his mouth.” I say it as softly as I can. “And his fingers.”
“You lucky girl!” she shouts, laughing her head off. “A chef and some good head. I’m so proud of you.”
“Stop it. It’s not like that.” Although it kind of is though.
“Just tell me you’re being safe. Not like, too safe, but you know what I mean.”
“We’re good. I’m good. I think, anyway. It’s weird adjusting to his place but he’s actually trying hard to make me comfortable.”
“That goes a long way.”
“He gets some points for it at least.”
“Alright, I gotta run. You better invite me to the wedding, okay?”
“You’re my maid of honor. Assuming you want to be.”
“I am absolutely going to be your maid of fucking honor. Bitch, I can’t wait. Talk later.”
She hangs up. I put my phone down, grinning to myself. That was the exact response I was hoping for.
The day drags on. I’m not busy and decide to duck out a little early. Dante’s in the atrium of the building reading a newspaper when I walk over and let him know it’s time to head back.
“Just so you know, and please understand that I mean this in the most respectful way possible, but Renzo can be very… particular about his life.”
I glance at Dante as he drives us back to the house.
“Sorry, what is that supposed to mean?”
“He mentioned the changes.”
“Incredible. He’s complaining already.”
“Renzo’s just not used to another person in his life, you know what I mean? Things are hard enough on him already.”
I think of his mother, but I shake my head, frustrated. “I didn’t ask for this. He wanted it. And I’m a person too, you know. I have my own stuff.”
“Whale sounds.” His eyebrows raise.
“Does everyone know about that?”
“Just me. And maybe Tara, I think he might’ve mentioned it to her.”
“Oh my god.”
“I’m just saying, go easy on the guy. He means well.”
“Are you done?” I sink down into my seat, mortified. Not because of the nature playlist—I actually like my singing humpbacks—but because now everyone knows he walked in on me during my shower this morning.
“Yeah, sure, we’re all good.” He smirks as he takes out his phone and starts scrolling.
I don’t know what the hell Renzo’s doing, complaining about me, and I’m not sure what Dante’s thinking trying to warn me like I’ll stop having my own preferences. It’s one thing to marry the guy and give in to his demands—it’s another to change my entire life.
I’ll sleep in his bed. I’ll carry his baby. I’ll do everything we agreed on. But I’m not going to stop playing my music, or reading my books, or wearing my stupid pajamas at night just because he thinks it’s silly.
Once we’re at the house, I head upstairs looking to confront my big-mouthed husband. I have a good dozen ideas about what I’ll say, none of them particularly kind, but I stop short once I step into the bedroom.
There’s stuff everywhere.
Boxes and bags. It takes me a second to realize they’re all from designer, high-end stores. Prada, Dolce, places I’ve never heard of before. They’re scattered all over, covering every surface and piled on the bed.
“I hope you don’t mind.” Renzo’s voice from the door. I turn to face him. “You needed more stuff.”
“More stuff? It looks like you bought out an entire Nordstrom’s in here.”
“Pick what you like and I’ll have my staff return the rest.”
“All this is for me?”
“Yes. I have my own preferences, and I thought—”
My anger flares. I step forward, jabbing a finger at him. “Dante mentioned your little preferences. If you’re trying to change the way I dress now on top of getting rid of my whales, you can just give up on that fantasy. I am what I am, and I’m not going to change.”
He looks very amused. “You’re not? Here I was thinking you’d start wearing miniskirts and low-cut tops. I would love to see those long legs strutting around. Maybe I could bend you over, watch the fabric slip up over your ass—”
“What the hell are you doing right now? Are you trying to distract me with dirty talk?” My ears are burning and I’m breathing fast. Hell, yes, I’d like all of what he’s saying, but he needs to stop right this instant. I’m angry. Got to remember that. “You told Dante about the whales. Which means you told Dante about walking in on me in the shower.”