Page 6 of The Sound in Silence

Oh, goodness, is his voice somehow deeper than it was the first time we met?

I bob my head in greeting, hoping Nico explained my limitations, or he’s about to get quite the surprise.

“Seems we’re about to get to know one another very well.”

My mouth presses into a small smile, in response.

“Right.” He doesn’t seem surprised by my lack of response. If anything, I think I catch disappointment flick through his gaze before he suddenly asks, “Are you a virgin?”

For a second, the abrupt question throws me, but then I recall where I am. Who I’m with. With a straight spine, I shake my head. Lost that to an old high school boyfriend when I was eighteen.

The reminder of such a time is a pang to my heart. Not toward Evan, the guy I dated. Not even sure what happened to him after high school. But more, for the simpler time. A time when I laughed with my friends, composed music regularly, and looked forward to all life had to offer. A time where I dreamed of getting a music degree and becoming a teacher. Of meeting a nice man, and eventually having my own family.

Funny how a single person can alter the course of one’s life so badly. If Mom had never met Stefano…

Erico grunts, bringing my focus back to him and the conversation. “Well, I guess that’s to be expected.”

Is it?

“Are you on birth control?”

I nod. Mom brought me to the doctor right around the time Evan and I began dating. Said she would rather me be safe than sorry. I never stopped taking the pills because I’ve gotten used to the other benefits.

“Get off it.”

I open my mouth, an argument pending, if only I can get my voice to work, but then I remember what my offer of marriage truly means.Ibasically decided this, and Nico re-explained as much.

Heirs.

A notion both exciting and terrifying. Wanting kids is one thing, when I also desired the life that went along with it. Meeting someone, getting married, and then, as our lives permit, starting the family with the man whochoseme. Getting children in this kind of relationship means our children won’t witness their parents in love.

But this might be the only way you ever have children.

Might? Try: this is theonlyway.

Besides, producing heirs on command is better than nothing, right?

“Ariella?”

Right. He’s waiting for a response, while my inner voices are battling back and forth over a decision I can’t even make for myself.

I nod.

“You understand why, don’t you?” His voice softens, reminding me of the man I met in the hallway.

Another nod.

He stares for a long ten seconds, in which I count each one, never feeling more scrutinized than this second. An experiment he finally decides to examine closer when he pushes off Nico’s desk and takes the three strides toward me, standing closer than he was even the night of the party.

Warmth from his body emits and for once, I’m not completely against another person standing so close. He smells good, like something I can’t quite place. It’s musky and sweet, an odd combination that suits him.

His hand comes into my vision and every instinct demands I shy away. But after today, he’ll be allowed to touch me in any way he deems because of the choiceImade. It’s that reminder keeping me still.

He tips my chin up with a single finger, his strength overpowering my will. I’m forced to look into his dark eyes rather than his chest as his thumb strokes gently over my skin. I melt. His calloused thumb feelsright, even though I convince myself it’s only because no one’s touched me intimately in many years.

This is fake. You’re a stand-in for the real thing.

“Nico claims you volunteered for this arrangement. Is that true?”

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