Page 49 of The Wife Deception
"I wanted to see if you are as in control as you pretend to be." She finished fixing herself up, gave a quick smile, and left.
26
Nolan
Iwatched the screen as I waited for the connection, disregarding the slight unease I experienced each time Icalled her. A lovesick teenager had nothing on me. I should have found my behavior pathetic, but I didn't care anymore.
She answered after three rings. Her throaty voice tightening my groin the moment she said hello.
"Pack your bags."
Her chuckle made my body sing. The cool air conditioning in the car did little to my overheatedbody.
"Why? I heard the clatter of something that sounded like a spoon or a paintbrush in the background. “Is there somewhere I am going?”
“Italy. With me. I’ve called Kelly, and he’s on his way to take you to the airport.”
“Do I have a say?” she did not sound mad, despite her words.
“Not unless you want to live alone with my mother while I'm gone.”
Her voice perked up. “What should I pack for? I haven’t a clue how long my stay will last.
"We’ll be gone for the rest of the weekend, so pack for three or four days."
I ended the call. A few seconds later, I got a message.
A:
I got nothing against your mother, but thank fuck.
I chuckled to myself. I understood her perfectly. My mother could make a saint lose their shit, but it seemed Aelin was handling her remarkably well. Jacqueline, on the other hand, had a list of grievances every day of the four days she spent with us. Most of them silly, some of them downright comical. Like when she complained to me the minute I arrived from work yesterday that Aelin refused to accompany her on a shopping trip. I was regretting taking her in asthe days passed, and spending some time away from my mother would be mind-freeing.
This would be the first time Aelin and I were doing something together that didn’t involve sex. I don’t know what gave me the idea of taking her to Italy with me, but once it stuck in my head, it felt right. As the CEO of a multi-billion dollar fashion company, I always get an invitation to all the big fashion events, especially Milan Fashion Week. I rarely attend Milan and instead letting my creative director bother with all of that. I’ve always found them boring, but this time around, I wanted Aelin to enjoy herself. She has been indoors painting on most days, something that I don't think a social butterfly like her enjoys that much.
I arrived at the airport first, but I didn’t wait for her for too long. I was leaning by the passenger door when her car arrived. My mouth dried when she got out of the car. The outfit she was wearing was simple. A short dress, gladiator sandals, and sunglasses to shield her eyes. She swiped her glasses up into her hair when she saw me and smiled. I stood still, afraid I would stumble if I made a move, and watched her as she glided over to me. When she was close enough, I encircled her waist and drew her to me. Her vanilla and roses scent filled my nostrils, driving me wild with unquenched desire.
Her smile was charming. Like she was happy to see me. “Hi,” she said before I dropped a kiss on her lips. She tasted so sweet. I wanted to drown myself in her. Her lips were pillowy soft and felt like sucking on candy. When her moan vibrated against my mouth, I encircled her into my arms. But then I felt resistance. She was pushing me away.
"People are watching." Her gaze darted around, a natural blush blooming in her cheeks.
Suddenly, I became aware of my surroundings. My hand had strayed away from her waist and was lingering around her butt, and Aelin was standing on her tiptoes, her body draped against mine. Jones was busy putting away Aelin's luggage, making an obvious attempt at not looking at us. Kelly was standing by the car door, gazing at us with an amused grin.
I grunted. "Let's get on the plane."
***
It was early morning in Milan when we arrived. We immediately headed to the hotel where we both got a couple of hours of sleep to build on the little sleep we had on the plane. By the time I woke up, I was alone in bed. My feet padded to the ensuite bathroom where I found Aelin dressed, makeup items strewn on thebathroom counter and a mascara in her hand. She was oblivious to my presence as she carefully drew a line under her eyelid. I leaned against the doorjamb and watched her through sleep heavy eyelids as she applied her makeup. Her movements seemed unsure, as though she was doubting her method, which, for someone like her, was odd. It was when she glanced away from the mirror, that I noticed the makeup tutorial video playing on the phone leaning against a faucet.
"Do all women require makeup tutorials?" I said.
She jumped, ruining the lipstick she was in the middle of applying. She turned the phone down and whipped her head to face me. "Nolan! I thought you were asleep!"
I thrust myself forward, entering the bathroom. "You should have woken me up," I said, picking up an eyeliner and absent-mindedly rolling it around my knuckles.
"You looked so peaceful. I didn't want to wake you. You've been working so hard lately."
"Have I? I'm surprised you noticed. I didn't realize it myself."
