Page 23 of Veiled Vows

“I didn’t know. God, Serena, I didn’t know.”

I look away, unable to meet his gaze. “I didn’t want anyone to know.”

“No,” he says fiercely, his hands cupping my face, forcing me to look at him. “You don’t carry this alone.”

“I’ll protect you from everything, even yourself if I have to.” he promises me.

He starts kissing me all over. He kisses my eyes, whispering, "I love your baby blue eyes."

Wait a second… He loves?

He kisses my lips, murmuring against them, "I love the taste of these lips."

He kisses my chest, "I love these, big or small, just because they’re attached to you."

He kisses my stomach. "I love this, how it will bear my children one day." My breath catches in my throat at his words. I’m on birth control, we both agreed to have kids at a later time in our marriage.

Salvatore always told me that he wanted to have kids, but he knew how important my education is to me, so he agreed to give me time until I’m ready. Seems like that time is running out.

He moves lower, kissing my pussy over my shorts. "This owns me,"

He kisses my thighs, his hands caressing them gently. "I love these wrapping around me," he says.

He straightens up, his chest is heaving. He looks like he’s on the verge of a panic attack. He grounds out, his voice raw, "And I love you."

“I love you, Serena," he repeats. "I love you so much it scares me."

I wait for the warm rush to go through me, to feel relieved, to feel happy. But all I feel is rage. It’s like a fire igniting within me, consuming every ounce of the tenderness his words should have brought.

I can’t explain my feelings, can’t understand why, but the fury is undeniable. I wanted to hear those words for so long, but none of the feelings I expected to have actually came.

I push him away, my voice trembling with the force of my emotions. "Too little, too late," I rasp, giving him my back and walking away. I hear him call my name, but I don’t turn around. I can’t. If I do, I might shatter completely.

Chapter 13

Serena

Isit on the edge of our bed, absolutely fuming. I want revenge. Salvatore left me alone after his confession, probably thinking I’d sit here and fawn over it. But all I can think about is making him hurt like he hurt me.

I know exactly how to get to him. Seeing me with another man—he wouldn’t be able to stand it. I’m going to use his weakness against him.

I get up and head to the closet, my movements jerky with frustration. I dig out the little black dress, the one my mother bought for me to wear as lingerie for Salvatore. The thought of him seeing me in it for someone else makes me laugh, that’s what I want. I want him to feel like he’s not enough for me.

I slip into the dress, truthfully, it wouldn’t make much of a difference if I went naked, and that’s how revealing this dress is. It ends right under my ass, the straps so thin it’s like they are not even there, and under certain lights, it looks see-through. I apply my makeup, dark, smoky eyes and bold red lips. I’m not playing around tonight.

I make sure the guards see me as I leave the mansion, my heels clicking on the marble floor with each exaggerated sway of my hips. I want them to report back to Salvatore, to tell him exactly where I’m going.

I head to Octave. I've heard whispers about it—an exclusive sex club for the elite. What happens there, stays there. The entrance fee is outrageous, but I pay it without flinching. It's worth it. The inside reeks of the scent of sex and alcohol. I sit at the bar,lowering my dress so that my breasts are almost popping out, the material exposing a hint of my areolas every time I move.

All around me are people engaging in some of the dirtiest things I have ever seen. There’s a woman wearing a strap-on, pegging the man in front of her on the nearby couch while everyone watches. Another woman is completely naked, tied in the middle of the room with her legs spread wide open for anyone to touch. There are men getting blowjobs from suspiciously young looking girls everywhere. It’s filthy in here. Normally, I’m not into watching scenes like this, but tonight, I don’t care. I’m too angry to care.

The bartender hands me the cocktail I ordered, and I take a sip, the alcohol burning a path down my throat. A man on the other side of the room is looking at me, fixated, I wink at him, and he approaches me, his eyes raking over my body, focusing on my tits. He’s bulky, and a little bit older, some silver strands in his hair and beard.

“Can I buy you another drink?” he asks.

“Sure.” I giggle, licking my red tinted lips as I look at him.

As he orders, I take another sip of my drink, my thoughts consumed by Salvatore. He’s going to be furious when he finds out where I am, what I’m doing. That’s what he gets for being a dick.

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