Page 26 of The Marriage Contract

She sighs, laying her forehead against the glass. I wonder if she wants me to say something or just lay my hand on her shoulder, but I do neither. Instead, I look out of my window. We’re together, but we’re also apart. That’s beginning to become our theme.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

ELENA

Ialmost feel like a politician or a celebrity as the chauffeur drives me through the city. One car drives slightly ahead of us, filled with three Mafia men, and there’s another one behind us. Dario wasn’t kidding when he said he was beefing up security.

Last night, after arriving at the townhouse, Dario disappeared and left me alone for the evening to wonder if what we shared was real. My body was still hot after what we did. I never expected him to pounce on me like that, but when he did, my body blazed beneath his touch. It was the most intense, intimate thing I’ve ever experienced. That’s not saying much, sure, but still.

Arriving at Aunt Rosa’s apartment—jeez, nope,myapartment—I climb from the car and walk across the street. My hair is back to its normal not-really-a-style, and I’m wearing my own clothes. A teensy-weensy part of me might miss the outfit I wore yesterday, but I can’t let myself fall in love with this Mafia life. Maybe that’s why I’m here—to remind myself why I’m doing this.

When I arrive, Giulia is sitting in the armchair, reading her Kindle. “Hey,” I say, hugging her as she stands.

She tilts her head at me once the hug is over, that knowing look on her face.

“What?” I ask.

“You look different.”

“Different, how?”

“I don’t know. I can’t put my finger on it.” Her eyes gleam playfully. “Did you have sex last night?”

“What?”I try to laugh it off. “Is that your superpower now, being able to tell when people have sex? What even gave you that idea?”

“You’re glowing, and you have an aura of guilt mixed with desire. Or maybe it’s just that I’ve known you for most of your life.”

“Not as well as you think, seemingly. I was a virgin when I left, and I’m still a virgin. Seriously, that’s so random.” I sit on the couch. “How is she?”

“She had a good therapy session this morning. This guy is certainly worth the money. She’s taking a nap right now.”

“Thanks again?—”

“You don’t have to keep thanking me,” she says, returning to her chair.

“I’m going to anyway, so you might as well get used to it.”

“So …” she says, tilting her head in that annoying and somehow endearing way. “What’s changed? Something unquestionably has.”

“Nope. I’ve got my role. I think I’m doing better, but everything is the same. Cash for the curtain call, easy as that.”

“Hmm.” She leans forward. “If you want to play that game, that’s fine with me.”

There’s a long pause as she continues to stare at me. Eventually, feeling like I’ve got no choice—she’s like a dog with a bone—I throw my hands up. “Okay. Last night, we went to this fancy charity gala thingy. On the way home, Dario got … heated.”

“Heated how?”

“You don’t want all the details.”

“Don’t I?” she grins.

“He kissed me, and he did other things. He wanted to go all the wayin the limo, so I was forced to tell him about my V-card. It seemed like it almost made him want me more for a second, but then we resumed being cold. We haven’t spoken since. I think he probably regrets it.”

“I’m hearing a lot about what he wants and thinks. What about you?”

I close my eyes briefly, reliving the whole experience like a movie playing at hyperspeed in my head. My body goes through the same sensations, the sizzling closeness, his powerful, confident hand rubbing against my clit, the pleasure destroying any other thoughts.

“It was amazing,” I say quietly. “Inside the limo,for that moment, it was easily the hottest thing I’ve ever experienced. I know that’s not saying a lot. I sort of gave him the silent treatment after. Honestly, I was hoping he’d break it. I washoping he’d come onto me again. Sure, it made me nervous, but only after. When we were actually doing it, it was like heaven.”

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