Page 79 of The Sound in Silence

“Not even close.”

“Anything else going on?”

There’s been quite a few instances where I’ve lied to my sister, and I find myself doing it again. Telling her I slapped another person makes for an interesting topic, but then she’ll ask why, she’ll get defensive because that’s who Della is, and that’ll all mean telling her about the Volkovs. Which isn’t her business.

Not her business. Shit.

Technically, we’re on different sides, even if it’ll never feel like that. Even if there’s an alliance between our husbands, it doesn’t mean the Corsettis get to know all of theFamiglia’ssecrets and vice versa.

“Nope,” I lie. “Settling more and more in, I guess. You?”

Della gets chatty for a few minutes about herself, her work in one of Nico’s clubs, and spending more time with Aurora lately. Jealousy burns through me, but as quick as it’s there, it’s gone. It makes sense they’re getting closer to one another. I wonder if Erico has any female relatives around my age. Given the outcome of the party, I didn’t exactly get the chance to meet everyone. Before the accident, having a social life was never my priority, but my sister often provided what I needed. Now, besides Erico, I’m alone.

Once she hangs up, I slip back into the pool. We’re still a few hours away from supper, and I’d like to spend at least another one of those in the water.

Not even ten minutes later, the mansion’s back door slams shut. Even though I can’t see him from where I’m floating on my back, my body thrums with every step he takes. It knows what my eyes haven’t looked at yet.

I roll in the water, catching as he drops into a lounge chair, my mouth slipping open as quick as he moves. No suit. Shorts. No shirt. Sunglasses covering his eyes. My mouth waters, my core clenches. He’s dressed so casually and looks fucking good.

Dress like that more often.

With one leg on either side of the chair, he reclines back. His head tilts up to the sky, but I still feel his gaze on me. He hasn’t said anything, so I continue swimming. Maybe he’ll join me. Other than the first day, I’ve never spotted him in the pool.

I do another few laps on my back. Backstrokes up and down the large pool while he merely observes. Every time I near his end, I feel his eyes on my bare skin. I picked the bikini I had on purpose. Silver and smaller than the rest, for this purpose. After the pool, I was going to visit his office. Based on previous conversations, I think he’s waiting for me to make a move.

And I’m ready.

I dreamed of it last night. Of teasing him to the brink, he’ll lose his mind. I woke up with a wetness between my legs that made me pleased he was already gone.

So after my final lap, I climb out of the pool. His gaze stalks my every step by him and toward my lounge chair where I pick up my towel to wipe my face, and then grab the water bottle to hydrate.

“How is it, your bikinis get tinier and tinier? Not sure if I owe my shopper a raise or to fire her.”

Smirking, I drop the bottle back to the chair and walk to the end of his. He repositions his legs on top, somehow knowing my exact plan as I throw one leg over each of his and lower to his lap. Without asking, I grab his sunglasses and toss them onto the chair beside us, so I can see his eyes.

“You’re getting my clothes wet.”

I plan to do a lot more than that.

My hands stroke up his bare chest until reaching his neck. I pause there and lean forward, taking his mouth in a heated kiss. He grips my hips, but the moment I feel his touch, I shake my head and replace them by his sides.

“Not allowed to touch, am I?” A single brow hikes.

Head shake.

“You really know how to torment a man.”

Nod.

“Fuck, Ariella.”

I smirk and kiss him again. He kisses me back, his tongue battling for dominance. The chair squeaks beneath his touch and I assume he’s grasping onto it. Then I roll my hips, the same I had in his office that one time. Between my legs, his cock grows.

Without breaking pace, I lean away and reach behind my neck, undoing the string on my bikini top. When marrying Erico, I never thought I’d rediscover any of the confidence I once had—years ago—but this is all him.Hegives me this strength to put aside everything else.

The bikini top falls forward and his hands shift from the chair to my thighs, curling around my flesh, nearly to the brink of pain.

I’mcausing this.I’mmaking him desire me.

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