Yves left my office with an air of satisfaction and I poured myself a finger of whiskey to celebrate, while staring down at my tie.
My wife’s hairpin held it in place.
CHAPTER 20
Taste of Freedom
Darla
My new cage was golden and exceptionally suitable for a trophy wife. Having experienced its grandeur once during the engagement party, I was curious to explore the grounds and see what other secrets this gloomy manoir hid.
A maid knocked on my door a quarter to 10:00 a.m. and asked if I’d like to join the De la Croixes for breakfast. Even though I’d already eaten, I went regardless, needing to spend time with my new in-laws if only for the sake of loading myself with ammunition.
I promised to extract every crucial piece of information so I could have some leverage to blackmail my husband when our contract came to an end.
Zeno didn’t come to breakfast, but nobody questioned my groom’s whereabouts. After he blazed out of the room looking dejected, I had no idea where he could have gone.
Probably to tend to his three-headeddog and carve out the faces of his enemies likejack-o-lantern pumpkins.
François, their butler, offered to give me a tour of the estate after breakfast. I politely declined and said I was going back to my room, which was a total lie. I had every intention of discovering my new home on my own.
I spent a good chunk of time roaming the west wing and admiring all the paintings. However, every door I tried to open was jammed shut.
An irritated sound rumbled out of me. I tried futilely to unlock a door with a bobby pin when my phone buzzed with a text message.
Good morning, babe. How are you? —Ellie
Giving up on my quest for today, I marched down the hallway and replied.
Good morning, Ellie. I’m okay. How are you? —Darling
My best friend cut to the chase.
Did you havesex last night? —Ellie
No. I read my husband abedtime story and he fell asleep like a baby. —Darling
Of course I had sex last night! —Darling
Oh myGod. Details, now!! —Ellie
I’m literally so sore. —Darling
Needless to say, I was wearing a pair of flat shoes and barely walking straight.
Totally normal for the first time. Did you…enjoy it? —Ellie
The memory of our wedding night had me blushing. I couldn’t believe the things I’d allowed Zeno to say, much less do to me. I always knew I’d enjoy sex on the rougher side, but last night opened my eyes to so many new possibilities.
Too bad my husband and I wouldn’t have sex again.
I refused to forget that he held my family’s secrets over our heads like a sharp, swinging sword. Until he relented, I’d never allow him back into my bed, no matter how amazing he was between the sheets.
I did. He poured warm wax over my body, choked me, spanked me, and had the audacity to ask if he could come inside of me. —Darling
I’m on birth control so obviously I said yes. —Darling
I need a minute to process this because WOW. He poured wax all over you? And you liked it? I’m shocked. —Ellie