Page 30 of Twisted In Obsession

Ocean

My mouth parts in shock, head spinning, as I watch Nico literally run out of the bathroom, his words playing on repeat in my head.

You ruin me.

Something tells me he didn’t mean to say them. But he did. He said those words out loud for me to hear, and now I can’t forget them.

You ruin me.

You. Ruin. Me.

Yeah, well, feeling’s mutual, asshole.

My heart pounds in my chest, and I replay everything that just happened. The way he took what he wanted without abandon or shame. His possessive and, quite frankly, over the top ways. He doesn’t want me to use tampons? What the fuck? I snort out a laugh. The man is certifiable and clearly insane. But I already knew that didn’t I?

I would never admit it, but I like how he is with me. The possessiveness. The madness. Though it can sometimes be overbearing and suffocating, it makes me feel wanted. Desirable. It’s not healthy, but I can no longer deny it. I want Nico as much as he wants me.

Since the night on the beach, things have changed between us. Though we haven’t discussed his fake wife further or why he felt the need to torment me with it, I know it’s a conversation we need to have. I want everything laid out on the table. I want us to start fresh. Free us from all the lies that once tore us apart. I can only hope it’s what Nico wants, too.

The cold water snaps me from my thoughts, and I turn the faucet off. Stepping out of the shower, I grab one of the big fluffy towels, wrapping it around my body only to remember that I have my period and I don’t want to get blood on the pristine white fabric.

Spotting the box of tampons on the counter, I smirk. Nico insisted I wear pads going forward but he can go screw himself. I don’t have any. And anyway, screw him, it’s my body, I will use what I damn well like. Grabbing a tampon from the box, I dry my legs, then grab some toilet paper to wipe up any moisture around my pussy. Pulling it back, blood coats the tissue and I’m thankful I had the foresight to use it instead of messing up the towel.

Dropping to the toilet, I part my legs, open the tampon, and insert it. Though Nico isn’t here to see it, it’s a big fuck you to him and I smile. It might only be a small win, but it’s a win all the same.

A knock sounding startles me. Quickly washing my hands, I move into the bedroom when I hear another knock on my door, followed by a soft voice. “Ocean, breakfast is ready,” Allegra calls.

“I’m just getting dressed. I’ll be down in a minute,” I tell her quietly, so as not to wake Romeo.

“Okay. I will let Mamma know.” Footsteps sound down the hallway, until they disappear completely.

Toweling off, I pull on my panties, bra, some yoga pants, and a loose-fitting sweatshirt. I didn’t wash my hair, so it’s still up in a messy bun and that is how it will stay. Checking on Romeo, I smile at how peaceful he looks in his sleep and decide that instead of moving him to his stroller, I will just take the monitor with me. It’s something I haven’t been comfortable with since we came here, but I feel it’s time to let go of some of my anxiety. It’s a big step, but it’s not like I’m leaving him. He is just up the stairs if I need to get to him for any reason.

Smiling, I grab the monitor and move to the door. It will be nice to spend some time with Nico’s mom and sister without having him hovering over me. My stomach jumps when something hits me. Maybe I can even speak with Allegra about the whole birth control thing. I just hope and pray that she doesn’t tell her brother. It’s maybe a little hypocritical of me after my thoughts in the shower and wanting a fresh start, only to keep this from him. But he already said he doesn’t want me taking the pill. Right now, I don’t want another baby and at the rate he is fucking me without protection, I will be pregnant within weeks.

I can’t have that. At least not until we are more stable in our relationship… or whatever it is we are doing.

And anyway. What he doesn’t know, won’t hurt him.

***

“Another delicious meal. Thank you, Valentina.” I say honestly, wiping my mouth with a napkin.

She beams at me. “I love cooking for my family. When my husband was alive it didn’t happen as much as I would have liked. He was so focused on the business, he sometimes forgot about us at home.” She swallows, her eyes glistening. “But the time we did have together, well, I made the most of it and would spend hours in the kitchen cooking up Lorenzo’s, Nico’s, and Allegra’s favorite meals.”

“I would help,” Allegra adds, a small grin on her face.

Valentina chuckles. “Yes. As you got older, I taught you how to cook our family recipes. It was expected. A good Italian woman in the Mafia, should always know how to prepare home cooked meals for her husband.” Allegra stiffens. Valentina’s face falls as if she just remembered what she said and she reaches over taking her hand. “I’m sorry.”

Allegra shakes her head, her words bitter when she speaks. “Nothing to be sorry for Mamma. You didn’t sign that contract.”

I watch them, wondering what they are talking about. I could always ask, but I don’t want them to think I am prying. But contract? A contract for what exactly? Valentina presses a kiss to her daughter’s cheek. “Let me get the dishes cleared up. When Romeo wakes, we could take him for a walk on the beach?”

I nod, smiling. “That will be nice.”

“I will tell Mario.” She pushes out of her chair and starts collecting the empty dishes. I offer to help but she waves me off.

When she leaves the room, I glance at a now pensive looking Allegra. “Everything okay?” I ask.

---