Page 40 of Good Girl Gone Bad

Chapter Thirteen

“Where do you think you’re going?” Arietta asked Lily when she left the deck.

Lily curled her fingers into a ball. After the fabulous cruise on the Lake and the orgasm from an hour ago, she could do without small talk. “It’s been a long day. I’m going to bed,” she said. Marco had been with her until a few minutes ago, when his uncle had called him over to talk about his grandmother’s health. At least, that’s what Marco had told her—she assumed whenever they exchanged words in Italian, they didn’t want her to know.

“I understand. Can I walk up with you to the mansion? I’d like to have a few words with you.”

Oh, shit.“Sure.”

She strolled alongside Arietta who, despite her height and long legs, marched in tandem with her. Apprehension skated up Lily’s throat, suffocating her. What if Arietta had figured out who she really was? Things were going so well, what with Marco’s grandma really believing their story. So well, I even fell for it. Her heart skipped a beat.

A number of guests waited for the shuttle that would take them back to the mansion. Given her heels, Lily chastised herself for not getting in the shuttle. “I have to tell Marco where I am.”

“Already done. I asked my husband to let him know. Come.”

Lily stomped onto the stony ground. “What is it?” she asked. Best to put all cards on the table now.

“You surprised me, Patricia. Not a lot of people do, and I wanted to make sure I told you so.”

Lily folded her arms, unsure if Arietta had given her a compliment or an insult.

Arietta’s facial expressions softened. “When I saw you last night, I won’t lie, I was worried. Besides being ridiculously handsome, my cousin is also filthy rich. I didn’t want you to be interested in his money or what he can provide for your career.”

Lily took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. She unfolded her arms, unsure what to do or say. She was no gold digger, but part of what Arietta feared was true—she had a financial gain from the situation, even if she had used her body as currency. “I understand,” she said in a low voice. Words to defend herself faltered her.

“I was wrong,” Arietta said, and Lily raised her gaze to hers. “I know you care about my cousin. I saw the way you looked at him today. Reminds me of me when I met my husband.”

“I do,” Lily said, her voice trembling with emotion. Confiding in anyone at this point gave her so much relief. She wanted to shout out her feelings for him but knew she couldn’t—not when he wasn’t ready to learn about them.

“I know. He needs that, you know. He may be all strong and powerful, but inside he’s got a few broken pieces.”

“Yeah, his father doesn’t seem overexcited to see him, either,” she said, making an effort not to spill any of the family history Marco had told her.

“Uncle Calogero has his flaws, but he’s old school. He thinks staying away is best. God, are you sure you want to join this family?”

“Nobody is perfect.”

“That’s true. But when you see your mother kill herself in front of you as a child…you can’t expect much normalcy as an adult.”

Lily stopped on her heels. “He was there?”

“Oh cazzo. You didn’t know? Yes. He was there.”

Tears pricked at the corner of her eyes, but she blinked them back. The image of a scared little boy watching his mother take her own life stabbed at her mind. She shook her head. If she let herself go there, if she simply mused over the pain that he’d carried all those years, she wouldn’t move forward. She wouldn’t be able to be his tonight.

Sex wouldn’t cure him. Sex wasn’t the direct answer. But if she gave all she had, if she showed him with her body how much she trusted him, hopefully one day he’d trust her in return. He’d open his heart to her and receive all she wanted to give him.

…

Marco closed the door behind him. The downside of avoiding most of his Italian family members for so long was having to catch up with them all at once in a matter of days. His uncle Benicio had lured him into the conversation about his grandmother’s health then had switched the conversation over to the stock market and asked for Marco’s business advice.

He was about to switch on the light when he realized there were candles spread throughout the room. Curious, he kept walking until he reached Lily, who sat in the middle of the bed wearing the corset he’d brought her. When he made the purchase, his mouth watered at the thought of her luscious body in the fuchsia garment. Her high cleavage nearly spilled from the bust, and a hint of her aureoles peeked over the edge. The hourglass figure–hugging fabric outlined her tight nipples perfectly. He grew hard, his cock straining against his pants. Fucking right move buying the corset. The reality of seeing Lily in the sexy lingerie surpassed his fantasy.

“I hope you don’t mind me breaking into your little toy box,” she said, turning her head in the direction of the armoire where he’d hidden his purchases. “I got here early, showered, and thought, hmmm…how can I fill my time until my man gets here?”

My man.He liked the sound of that, a little too much. Grinning, he removed his jacket and placed it on the tufted chair in front of the vanity dresser. “You almost gave your man a heart attack.”

“Good.” She moved her body, swiveling around to show him her lack of underwear. “I hope this is okay.” She spread her legs apart, giving him a full view of her soaking wet pussy.

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