Page 22 of Fight Me Little Pearl
I think I should have something to wear in my suitcase but it gives me no time at all to prepare mentally for it. “I don't think I’ll ever be ready to meet some of the elders of the Barone clan,” I answer honestly. “But there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll be with you all the way,” Isabella says, taking my hand. “We were in your shoes once. Nonna Isadora is the scariest one, but once you get over the first few minutes, you’ll love her.”
I smile gratefully. “Thank you.”
Freya hugs me and scrambles off the bed. “We should leave. We will see you tomorrow.”
“Thank you all,” I say and I really mean it. They are sincere and sweet and I am touched by their kind offer of friendship and assistance.
I hug the three women and walk them to the door. After they leave, I’m left alone with my damning thoughts. I wish they would return to keep me company, or else I may drown in anger. Vica’s words are still stuck in my head even though she was first to leave.
I saw Valentino a few minutes ago.
So she saw him a few minutes ago? Where?
In his room. I don’t even know where his room is. Why is he meeting up with her after telling me that he wanted his family to think we are deeply in love with each other? What did they do together? He could barely keep his hands off her when he was in the company of his family. Did he touch her? Did he kiss her? I get angrier and angrier with every new thought that roars into my head. He tells me I have to play the part of the happiest bride in the world while he plays the part of the most unfaithful husband in the world.
My blood burns with jealous rage.
I know I cannot stay cooped up here any longer.
Earlier, I saw an outdoor pool on the east side of the house. It was like something from an old Greek painting. Majestic thick columns with creepers growing up them and a wonderful ancient style mosaic tiled floor. The fragrance from the lemon and orange grove hung over the still water like a magic mist. Maybe I should go there. I’ve always loved to swim. Maybe the water will relax me tonight.
I slip into the bikini Louisa gave me as a wedding present and look critically at my reflection in the mirror. I never would have picked it if I was shopping for a swimsuit. It is too daring, which is not me at all. The top struggles to adequately cover my full breasts, and the bottom is a whisker away from beingpornographic. Since she helped me pack, I had no option but to smile when she stuffed it cheekily into a corner of my suitcase. I grab a big white towel and wrap it around me.
I open the door and listen for a few seconds. There is the faint sound of an air-conditioner humming somewhere, but otherwise, the house is still. Everyone is gone. In fact, the whole house is so quiet it feels wrong to disturb the peace. I take my sandals off and, holding them in my hands, walk along the corridor and down the stairs towards the glass double doors.
I slide open the doors and see no one.
Suddenly, I feel like a child on an escapade. With a low laugh of pure joy, I run on my bare feet across the cool grass. Only to freeze when I reach the pool. Valentino is sitting at the edge of the pool, his pants rolled up to the middle of his calves and his feet dipped into the water. He’s smoking a cigarette, and beside him is an open bottle of vodka. He’s the embodiment of danger, and… I can’t help it. I feel unbelievably drawn to him.
Self-preservation tells me to turn away, but my body remains rooted to the spot, silently hoping he would look up and see me. Seconds later, he takes a long drag of his cigarette and looks up to blow a ring of smoke in the air. Our gazes meet. His eyes gleam in the warm soft yellow glow of the gas lamps. Smoke exhales out of him, and the air is suddenly filled with a strange tension.
Chapter Twelve
FRANCESCA
“Francesca.”
I’m quickly learning that he only calls me Francesca when he is upset with me, and it’s been days since he even let me upset him.
“Valentino.”
“Did you come down in that fucking towel? All the way from your room to the pool?” His voice is calm but full of potent poison.
Confronting him takes my blood pressure up several notches and my heart pumps with energy. A part of me that doesn’t get much action throbs at the huskiness and power in his voice. His cigarette is suspended between his long fingers, and I suddenly want to take a drag of it. I’ve been considering this ever since I saw him on the balcony smoking, but the idea is laughable because I’ve never smoked or wanted to smoke before.
“When I ask you a question, you answer me.”
“Yes, I did. Why?” I hold the towel tightly against my body.
He shakes his head as if he can’t believe how stupid I am. “Why? What if the house wasn’t empty?”
There is madness in the air. Citrus scents fill my senses and my blood throbs in my veins. A primitive part of me I didn’t know about takes over. I drop the towel.
“At least I didn’t come down in this?” I say huskily.
I swear I hear him suck in a breath, and that simple action gives me a healthy dose of courage. I stroll up the steps, my hips shamelessly undulating, aware of his gray eyes on my nearly naked body. The rest of the world drops away. There is only him and me in this magic place. He’s staring at me with hunger, and my heart beats wildly underneath his gaze.
