Page 8 of Fight Me Little Pearl

“Can I interest you in a game, Boss?” Orlando says quickly and wisely. “We can make the stakes as high as you wish, the bloodier the better.” He gestures towards the rooms at the back where there are green velvet tables with colorful chips on them. With his other hand he is covertly trying to gesture to Nina to get her to fuck off, but she isn’t listening. All she can do is stare at me with shock and hurt. I barely notice. She is now dead to me.

Yes, a game would be good. I nod and follow him, walking away from Nina without a backward glance. So much for my need to let off steam with another woman.

Chapter Four

FRANCESCA

“Mama, it’s good to hear from you,” I say into the phone, as I stare at the romantic glow cast by the ornate and beautiful street lamps below my window. Earlier, I got one of the chambermaids to come up and help me out of my bridal dress. Afterwards, I took a long hot shower and I’m now standing by the tall windows wearing the ivory and lace nightie Louisa insisted looked the best on me.

Valentino left about four hours ago, and he still isn’t back. I know he is not working, so he’s probably out there with another woman, just like Papa. He too thought nothing of parading his whores under Mama’s nose.

It further convinces me that I am right to hate him. He reminds me of my father in too many ways. Above all though, I hate myself more for my body’s insane reactions to him. It is quite clear to me now that my body will always succumb and betray me when it comes to him.

That last kiss haunts me and makes me curious about what more from him will feel like. I cannot even believe that these are the thoughts running through my mind but Thomas and everyone else and their mom is right. Valentino is anunbelievably attractive and dangerous man. I want him, I have to admit. Even if it’s just a brief taste. I’ll burn in hell however before admitting that to anyone, even myself.

“Where are you,” Mama asks. I know she is worried, but she is trying not to show it. “Are you alright?”

“I am fine, Mama. We’re in Paris.”

“Oh! You’re already on your honeymoon?”

“Yes. Apparently, Valentino is not a fan of red velvet cake or lemon icing.”

“Ah!” There is a short pause. “We should have consulted him.”

“He didn’t want to be consulted,” I reminded.

“I feel so silly interrupting you on your honeymoon. It’s barely been a day and you are a grown woman now, not a little girl anymore. You must pay attention to your husband. I’ll say goodbye. Call me when you have the time.”

“Hey, wait don’t go yet-”

But then I hear the sound of voices outside the bedroom and because there has been nothing but hushed whispers until now I immediately guess that Valentino is back and talking to his men. My heart starts to beat wildly at the thought of seeing him again. I would love to continue on with the conversation with my mother and ignore him or pretend that I don’t care what he does, but my mind has gone completely blank.

“That’s him now. Let me call you back, Mama.”

I end the call and sprint to the bed. Pulling aside the covers I put my phone underneath the pillow and quickly slip between the clean-smelling sheets. Shutting my eyes, I breathe as evenly as I can and pretend to be asleep. The room door opens and soft footsteps follow.

I hardly dare breathe. What is he doing in my room?

I hear the soft thud of clothes falling to the floor.

My heart goes crazy when the bed dips. Valentino is climbing into bed with me. I lay still, but my body is surging with heat at his nearness. Is he supposed to share the same bed with me? I mean, he is my husband and whatever, but we don’t have to do this. No one will know so why the fuck is he here? This is a suite and there is another room. In fact, that is the master bedroom.

The faint scent of perfume wafts over to me. I know how Valentino smells. Masculine. Addictive. Lethal. A hint of musk and citruses that lures me in against my will. But this scent is completely different. It’s soft, sultry, and seductive. A woman’s scent.

My heart stops. Literally stops.

The bastard!

My eyes fly open and I vault away from him and sit up. There’s an unbearable ache in my chest that I identify as pure disgust because I can’t bear for it to be anything else. I don’t care who Valentino fucks. If any woman wants my handsome, attractive-as-sin husband, she can have him. She is welcome to him.

But I don’t have to know and I most definitely don’t have to be breathing in the smell of another woman’s perfume in my own bed. It’s still a little dark in the room so I flip the bedside light on to find my slippers. I need to get out of here.

“Turn that fucking thing off,” he growls softly.

Like a lion. Calm yet lethal.

Nervously, I turn to see Valentino’s grey eyes on me, appearing cool on the surface, yet flashing with deadly ice shards.

---