Page 30 of Savage Beauty

“If you wanna be on top of Sal Tosca, be my guest,” Arman laughs. He heads for the basement stairs. “I’m gonna go to work on the punchbag and sweat out some of this vodka.”

I nod. “Good idea. Don’t land your famous left hook on Lili’s date when they arrive, though.”

Arman’s smile drops off his face, and he flips me off. “Thanks for the fucking reminder,” he says. “Go on, get out of here.”

* * *

I head into the kitchen and find a bottle of red open on the counter. I pour a large glass and breathe in the aroma.

Jealousy, drama, mixed signals, tension, intimacy, and anger. Just like a real marriage.

Josie and I were getting close when Claudia ruined everything, and I left without explaining. Josie is more than likely furious, and I don’t blame her.

I could have fucked Claudia in the car or anywhere. I could have just denied it; no one would have believed her, and she was throwing herself at me. But the thought never crossed my mind for a second.

Josie is doing everything she can to resist me, while Claudia is making it all too easy. Clearly, there’s more to this than my ego. If all I wanted was a woman’s all-encompassing desire, I could have it from Claudia or someone else. Josie is not indifferent to me—that much is obvious—but she’s holding back and letting me suffer.

I don’t just want my wife’s body. I want her heart, mind, spirit, and soul. If this is how Claudia feels about me, I pity her.

I can’t take this anymore. Josie is mine, and I will not allow her to use my obsession to control me. When she’s at my feet, begging me to possess her, she will know who’s in charge.

20

Josie

Iknow he’s there.

The door opened and closed a few minutes ago, but since then, all has been quiet. The water is warm and comforting, and the bubbles are piled high around me. My hair is in a crown braid, as I don’t feel like washing it, but it’s good to get my body clean. I don’t know how long I can stay in the bath—my fingers are already pruning—but the longer I can put off confronting Sasha, the better.

I felt cheap and dirty, more so than when Sasha touched my body during the night. He tainted me deeper this time by putting his grasping hands on my heart.

It sickens me to think his obsessive attention and hotly whispered words are part of his playbook. Did he make Claudia Tosca feel this way, too? No wonder she’s acting out. I’d like to believe I wouldn’t debase myself by shouting at a man in the street, but then again, I’m in uncharted territory. I never thought a man as beautiful and brutal as Sasha would be the one to force me to feel something I thought I’d never feel.

A small shelf near the tub, meant for a sponge or shampoo bottle, now holds my wine glass instead. Sasha enters the bathroom just as I’m about to take a sip.

“Get out.” I whip my head to him and give him my most scathing look. “If you need to wash Claudia away, you can wait your turn.”

Sasha halts and stares at me, paying no heed to my anger. “Are you hungry?” he finally asks.

“Yes, I’m starving,” I reply, sinking lower into the water to hide my body from his penetrating gaze. “Did you work up an appetite while you were with her?”

He sits on the floor and leans against the bathtub, a drink in his hand. A heavy sigh escapes his lips before he speaks.

“I never slept with Claudia Tosca,” he says. “I don’t know why I didn’t tell you about our past. At the time, I didn’t think it mattered. Since I met you, no one else has captured my attention.”

“She said otherwise. Why did you break up?”

Irritation puts a sharp edge on his words. “You’ve seen what she’s like. Why do you think? Incompatible star signs? Okay,” he turns around, “I’m a Capricorn, and she’s an insufferable, unhinged addict. Our auras weren’t in harmony. Is that enough for you?”

“Look at me, Sasha,” I demand, and he obliges, his piercing eyes filled with torment. “You left me here and drove off into the night with a drunk woman. A woman who desires you deeply and who you were supposed to marry. What did you expect me to think?”

Sasha finishes his drink in one swift motion. Steam from the bath has made his hair damp, and his shirt is unbuttoned at the neck, a glistening sheen of perspiration on his skin.

Of course Claudia can’t get over him. CanI? Should I even try?

“I wanted to take you to dinner tonight,” he says suddenly, “but it’s getting kinda late. Will you do me the honor of accompanying me on a date to the kitchen? I’ll fix us some cereal or something.”

I smile. “Actually, husband, Dulcie exposed your secret. I know you can cook. You owe me, so I expect a proper meal.”

---