Page 60 of Bargaining

There were a million ways I’d enjoy making Charlotte Ackroyd blush. I’d spent years rehearsing them in my head with a fist around my cock.Get a grip.This wasn’t about flirting. There was no reason to be using a low voice. No reason to be leaning so close. I cleared my throat and sat upright in my chair.

She picked up the seafood fork. The silver glinted in the light as she studied it. “I’m not a saint.”

“That makes two of us.”

“I keep thinking about ...” She bit her lip and whispered, “After the ball. What happened between us ...”

Definitely tipsy.She thought about it too? Her orgasm face had blazed into my brain. “You said it couldn’t happen again.”

“I don’t think it should, but that doesn’t mean I have to stop thinking about it. So, no, I’m not a good girl. I signed up for a year of celibacy and now all I can think about is what we can’t do together.”

Her cheeks flushed a brighter red. She glanced over at the bar. “Anyway, maybe I’ll get lucky and meet some handsome Italian stranger on this trip. No strings.”

Drunk and horny. “Is that what you want?”

Her eyes met mine. “People have physical needs. It’s not unreasonable. You said you wouldn’t have a problem with it if I’m discreet.”

My hand tightened around my fork. I’d changed my mind. I’d definitely have a fucking problem with it. Also, it was impossible to be discreet here. I wanted to buy this place. What if word got back that my wife was fucking the bellhop on the honeymoon?

“I told you, I’m happy to facilitate your physical needs.”

Her face clouded with uneasiness. “I don’t want you to. It’s too messy between us.”

“So you’d rather fuck a stranger?”

A tired look passed over her face. “It’s easier.”

It wouldn’t do. This couldn’t get too deep, but that didn’t mean some prick got to put his hands all over my wife. She’d signed the contract. She couldn’t seriously be thinking about hooking up with someone already? I kept my voice low and composed.

“I’m sure you can wait until we get home. Consider letting the ink dry on the marriage certificate before you spread your legs for some random.”

Her swift recoil was as though I’d slapped her. She stood.

“Sit down,” I said calmly. “People are looking.”

“Tell them I’ve lost my appetite.”

I couldn’t take my eyes off her ass in that dress as she stormed away, because she was so fucking sexy even when she looked like she wanted to punch me.

Chapter 28

Charlotte

Six scorching days passed, and I saw a lot of Rome and very little of Cole, which was fine by me. I spent my days exploring bustling piazzas and eating caramel gelato fast before it melted all over my hand. Renata did a good job of explaining the sights, even if I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was babysitting me.

At the hotel bar, I sipped a perfectly zesty and sweet cold limoncello.

“May I join you?” Cole’s clipped voice drifted to my ears.

If you must.I looked at him and shrugged. Cole had barely spoken to me for days. He could sit wherever he wanted, and I didn’t have enough fucks left to give after the way he’d treated me on our honeymoon. He’d been kind to me the night of the migraine, but ever since he’d treated me like a sickness to be avoided. I hadn’t expected him to act like a real husband, but neither had I expected to feel like a huge inconvenience.

Amazing that he’d dragged himself away from his phone. How could anyone come to the most beautiful city in the world and never leave the hotel room? The man was a pathological workaholic.It was tragic, really. Some mornings, I was sick to my stomach with grief, but at least I was pushing myself to keep going and explore.

He sat and ordered himself mineral water and another limoncello for me. “It’s late. Aren’t you coming to bed? What are you doing down here alone?”

“I’m hiding from my husband.”

He straightened a couple of coasters so that they were perfectly aligned before putting his glass on one. “I see.”