I run to the closet and pick out wide leg pants, a light sweater and matching jacket, all in robin’s egg blue. I’ve been looking for a reason to wear my new black leather boots. They were a splurge to reward myself for the hell I’ve been through the past few months.
I love the way the blue color of my outfit compliments my dark complexion. My hair is getting longer. I quickly drag a comb through it, letting it fall naturally over my shoulders.
I grab the new Burberry coat Marchello insisted on buying for me. I’m not used to it but I like it more than I care to admit.
I predict a huge heartache coming at the end of our arrangement. We haven’t discussed when that will be, but as Marchello says, he can’t guarantee I’ll be safe on my own. I can’t afford a protection detail, so I stay.
I love the nights we spend laughing as he tickles me with something that looks like a maid’s feather duster. He’s opened my eyes to so much. The things we do in bed would make most girls blush. I don’t know how I’m ever going to be with anyone else once he calls it quits.
I enjoy watching him as he goes over his mental checklist. He grabs his keys and sticks his phone in the pocket of his fitted, blue jeans. Check off the box next to ‘tight as hell’ and ‘leaving nothing to my imagination’.
I swallow the lump in my throat and pretend I’m drinking my hot coffee when he turns around to ask if I’m ready.
Damn, he’s fine. The white waffle shirt clings to his biceps and I remember how I grabbed hold of them. Well, if I’m being truthful, I dug my nails into those muscles a few hours ago and can’t wait to do it again.
I don’t have any regrets. I think he was impressed and asked that I squeeze his nipples even harder, which I did and he moaned so long I thought he came, but my man always makes sure I come first.
We walk to the parking garage where he opens the car door for me. I fold my coat and lay it in the back seat as I get in the Ferrari that he calls ‘ours’ now. He pops into the driver’s seat and revs the engine that vibrates the seat and makes my pussy quiver in anticipation.
Damn him. He knows exactly what he’s doing.
“Where are we going?” but I should know better than to ask. He gives nothing away, just grins and puts the car in gear.
We take a winding road out of the city and head toward Dante’s but at the top of the hill, he turns off in a different direction.
I’ve never been out this way and before long I’m watching beautiful homes go by. “The estates are huge out here,” I murmur, wondering what it’s like to live like this.
“Hmm, yes, that’s true, the estates are rather large.”
I’m curious if we’re meeting friends of his here and, just as I’m about to ask, he drives through an open gate and pulls up to a gorgeous house. It’s stucco on the outside, split level, and on the side of the mountain. He helps me out of the car and holds my hand as we walk the gravel footpath to the main door, a door he opens like he owns the place.
“Marchello, do you know these people?”
“No matter, it’s fine. Don’t worry so much.”
I guess we don’t need to use the door knocker, which by the way, is a huge brass lion’s head. We step into the marble foyer, my boots clicking on the shiny floor.
“This is beautiful,” I reply and I listen as my voice echoes off the bare walls.
“Isn’t it? I thought you’d like it.”
He’s such a know-it-all. Of course, he knows I’d love it. There are times he touches me and I gasp and writhe under him and he gives me that all-knowing smile that lets me know he’s still in control.
There are days I command him as well. Now that we’ve been married for over a month, I can predict his moods and I know exactly what he likes when we make love.
But is it really making love? He’s never used those words and it’s getting to the point we need to have the conversation.
He walks to a set of French doors and swings them open to a spectacular view of a backyard full of fruit and olive trees.
“So, what do you think?”
“It’s spectacular. I’d love to meet the owners.”
“You’re looking at the owners.”
“What?”
“We own this. You always said you want land under your feet first thing in the morning. Now you can plant that garden you’ve always wanted.”