Page 28 of When She Loves
She’s mine.
And she’ll surrender to me tonight.
CHAPTER10
CLEO
The reception takesplace in a mansion on the Hudson River that was converted into a luxury hotel.
From the moment Rafaele and I sat down at the sweetheart table, the walls of the lavish ballroom have been pressing down on me.
I’m itching to sneak out and talk to Vale, but all these people I don’t know won’t stop giving toasts to Rafaele. My name is mentioned a few times too, but I don’t pay attention to their fake flattery.
How can I when I’ve just discovered my husband kisses me like he wants to devour me?
My heart beats quickly inside my chest. It beat even quicker when Rafaele’s tongue was in my mouth and his hands were on me, possessive and demanding.
He’s supposed to be the ice prince, but there was nothing cold about his touch. A shameful heat pulses between my legs at the memory.
What is wrong with me?
Rafaele is the enemy. He is single-handedly ruining my life. I’m supposed to be repulsed by him. But my mind and my body don’t seem to be on the same page at the moment. Kissing him again in the limo was a mistake. I shouldn’t have let him provoke me like that.
What have I gotten myself into?
I grab my glass of wine and drain half of it in one gulp.
An old, creepy-looking man approaches our table and offers his congratulations. “It’s a fine day to get married, Don Messero. And look at your beautiful bride.” He gives me a lecherous look. “She looks ripe for the taking.”
I nearly choke on my wine.Excuse me?
He stares at my breasts. “I still remember how Clarissa bled on our wedding night. She was too embarrassed to look at the sheets the next day.”
His words are like a bucket of cold water. Whatever effect kissing Rafaele had on me disappears in a blink.
Forget it. These people are disgusting, and so is Rafaele for following this sick tradition. I can’t ever let myself forget that.
“Maybe I can share a few tips—”
“That’s enough, Uncle Julius,” Rafaele interrupts, his voice cold. “I don’t need any tips, and if I were you, I’d reconsider the direction of your gaze. ”
The creepy uncle’s eyes jump to Rafaele. “Don Messero, I wasn’t—I mean, I meant no disrespect.”
“Your daughter is calling you over. You better head back to your table.”
No one was calling him over, but Rafaele must have noticed me reaching for my steak knife.
The old man hobbles away, and Rafaele puts his hand on my thigh. “Ignore him. He’s practically senile.”
I shove his hand off me. “Something tells me he wasn’t any less disgusting when he was all there.”
Rafaele turns to me, but I pointedly look away. I don’t know how I’ll make it through the evening. I’m not afraid of having sex. In fact, I think I’d enjoy it very much under the right circumstances. But what’s supposed to happen tonight is sick.
I hate the idea that Iowemy virginity to Rafaele. That I have tolethim take it. And that I have tobe okaywith displaying the evidence of the act to his entire family.
Does Rafaele think he can make me forget all that just because he knows how to kiss? I said I’d marry him, and I did. But I never said I’d just accept my new life with no questions asked and no resistance.
If he wants to make me into his obedient wife, he better be ready for me to fight him at every turn. Let’s see who throws in the towel first.
