Page 40 of Fight Me Little Pearl
“That’s right,” she says sarcastically and runs up the stairs and away from sight.
For a few seconds, I stand there undecided. I turn to leave, deciding to ignore her outburst. The world I have built with blood, sweat and tears is out there waiting for me, but I only make it to the door before I realize that the world would be worth nothing without Francesca. My whole day would be doomed if I don’t resolve this situation with her first. She will be on my mind all day, and I won’t be productive. No doubt, my father would call this: Exhibit A. Chapter one from my father’sbook of why one shouldn’t care too much about anyone, but… here I am.
My heart won’t listen to my head.
When I get to our bedroom she’s nowhere in sight, but water is running in the shower. I go into the bathroom and it’s a mistake because Francesca is stark naked under the shower. She glares at me.
“Go away.”
I stop at the door, careful not to get wet. “Come out, and let’s talk.”
“No. I’ll be in here for ages. You better leave.”
“Come on,piccola perla. You kno-”
“Don’t ever call me that,” she growls at me. “I bet you go around dishing out these cheap endearments to every woman you sleep with.”
I lose my patience. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Don’t yell at me,” she shouts. “I’m talking about Vica. The day we arrived at this house, you hugged her and you called hercara.”
Vica? That’s the subject of discussion? I sigh and step into the shower, hating that I’m getting myself wet because of someone as inconsequential as Vica. Francesca rolls her eyes and starts to step out of the shower, but I grab her arm and drag her towards me.
“I can call anyonecara, Francesca. It is a meaningless word, but there is only one woman I call my little pearl.La mia piccolo perla.”
She stills in my arms and meets my gaze softly. “I don’t want you calling anyone anything.”
I grin. “I won’t.”
“You said that too quickly.”
“Because I don’t have to think about it.” I run my hand down my face to clear the water as it rushes down my head. “I onlycalled her that to make you jealous. I don’t think I’ve ever called her by an endearment before.”
“I wasn’t jealous,” she denies with a pout. It makes her look even more delectable and fuckable.
“Of course not,” I smile, struggling to keep my gaze on her face. Her naked body is right in front of me, but I have to go to work. It’s so damn hard.
“Have you ever had sex with her?”
“Francesca…”
“I won’t get mad,” she says. “I just want the truth.”
I shrug. “Yes.”
She looks so scandalized, I almost laugh. She’s jealous, and it’s unbearably cute.
“What about since we arrived in Italy?” she demands with a scowl.
My suit jacket hangs heavily over my shoulders as it soaks in more and more water. “No. I haven’t been with anyone since you became my wife, but where did this garbage about Vica come from?”
“Because you were drinking chamomile tea,” she says, sweeping her hair back violently. “Vica told me it was your favorite tea. Clearly, she knows a lot about you.”
“She doesn’t know anything about me. I might have drunk chamomile tea with her at some point, but it’s not my favorite brew.”
“But I know even less about you,” she says.
“And whose fault is that?”
