Page 49 of Something Blue

I didn’t answer him. I stood up, dusted my hand over my shoulder and said, “The wedding is on Saturday. Best you get your tuxedo ready and act the part.”

He didn’t say a word when I walked out - and he hasn’t said a word to me since.

Dalila is furious. She has been calling me non-stop, demanding I don’t do this.

But, honestly, it’s all background noise.

Today, Neve moved into my place. The wedding is in two days and I want her here, with me, to avoid any issues. She’s been staying in her father’s house with her brother and I know they aren’t getting along at the moment - for obviousreasons - so I requested to have her things collected and brought here.

Her brother made the arrangements and Neve was caught off guard when she got home and was told she didn’t live there anymore.

Now she is upstairs in our bedroom, refusing to speak to me. With only one more day before our wedding I hope she can pull through and play her part.

I climb the stairs holding her plate of food in my hand.

Pushing our bedroom door open I walk inside without knocking or saying anything.

She huffs, her back towards me, lying on her side on the bed.

“Neve, I brought you some early dinner before we have to get going.”

“I’m not hungry. And I don’t want to be here.” She snaps.

“Well, you are going to eat, and you have to be here, so embrace it and let’s move on from this attitude you’re giving me.” I snap back at her.

She doesn’t reply.

Sitting on the edge of the bed I set her plate down on the side table and reach out to touch her. She shifts away from me, so I grab her leg and pull her back close to me.

“The news is being announced tonight. We are making a public appearance at an art gallery opening. You will be on your best behavior.” I warn her.

She lifts her eyes towards me.

“And if I’m not?” She asks, heated with defiance.

I tug her further down the bed and move quickly. In a flash I am lying with my body on top of hers, pinning her down. Her breath is hot against my face when she cries out in fright. “If you will not behave, I will have to punish you.” I say, running my hand up her thigh and over her waist.

She shudders beneath my touch and her eyes flood with lust.

I chuckle and climb off her.

Fuck. I want her so badly, but I’m willingto wait until she belongs to me. I’m willing to wait until our wedding night to make it special.

“I hate you.” She mutters, flushing with embarrassment at her own desire.

“Well, eat something while you hate me. And then put on that dress.” I gesture towards the gold dress hanging on the outside of the closet. “We are leaving in one hour.”

“I don’t want to be married, Celso.” She pleads. “This isn’t what I want for my life. I’m so tired of other people controlling me and telling me what I have to do.” Tears spill over the edge of her gorgeous blue eyes and my heart tightens.

“Marriage to me will not be what you think it is, Neve. You can still have everything you want for your life - we’ll do it all together.”

“You don’t want the same things as me.” She mumbles.

I reach out and touch her face. “What do you want, my angel?”

“I want—” She’s flustered, agitated, heated “I want to travel. But not that luxury bull shit with five-star hotels. I want to see jungles and templesand climb those massive ruins in Peru. I want to learn to fly a helicopter and to learn how to scuba dive. I want to see the world - I don’t want to be stuck - I don’t want to be some well-behaved wife sitting neatly in her chair, smiling for the camera.” Her voice trails off.

“Don’t underestimate what I can give you, Neve.” I say, letting my fingers trace over her thigh for a moment before I stand up. “Get ready.” I say, and leave her to make her own choices. But if she isn’t ready in an hour, there will be hell to pay and she knows it.

---