[REBECCA]
2 months later
I groaned while looking at the mirror. Artemy had left hickeys-love bites, all over my body again. He left his mark on my neck in plain visible sight for everyone to see. So they knew who I belonged to. Those were his words.
Over the weeks, I finally got a glimpse of the real possessive man behind the sweet gentle Artemy. He was a jealous man, and I purposely drove him mad with jealousy. Sometimes, just a quick innocent kiss on his men’s cheeks, just to rile him up.
I admit that I only did it for the sex afterward.
Like last night. At the thought, I squeezed my legs together as the tingling sensation intensified. He took me over and over again. On the bed, against the wall, on the floor, on the nightstand and the sofa. We had consummated our love on every surface in the room.
He was a beast, I thought with a shake of my head, although I couldn’t stop the smile that appeared on my swollen red lips.
Quickly getting dressed, I combed my hair so that the marks were hidden. Well, I tried to hide them as best I could.
When I was ready, I went downstairs to join Lynda. “Good morning, Nona. Lynda.”
“Good morning, babe.”
“Good morning, dear.”
I tied the apron around my waist and started to help them with breakfast. I had finally learned how to cook, and I found that I enjoyed it.
After setting the table for breakfast, Nona went to rest while Lynda and I cleaned up. “You know, I’m thinking we need soundproof walls,” she said casually.
I choked on my apple, my eyes tearing up. Feeling completely mortified, I looked down at my apple. “I was loud? Again?”
“Yup.” She laughed.
“Well, you were loud the night before!” I shot back.
Her laughter died. “You heard that?”
“Yes.” This time, it was my turn to laugh.
“No way!” she gasped, but then paused. Lynda looked at me curiously, leaning a hip against the counter. “Why does this feel like the guys are making a contest out of this? Like who can make their woman scream the loudest.”
My eyes widened, and I shook my head vigorously. “No!”
She only nodded. “Trust me, they would do something like that. They go all caveman when it comes to us.”
“Wow.”
We stared at each for a second before busting out in laughter. “They are impossible.”
“And insatiable,” she added. That was true. Artemy had a stamina like no other. Sometimes, I couldn’t keep up with him. The last few nights, I would fall asleep almost instantly the moment he would slip out of me.
My body was almost always sore and aching. But Artemy was a gentleman through and through. He made sure I was always taken care off. Warm and relaxing baths after our frenzied sex sessions. Sometimes he would give me a massage. Just little things to show he cared.
There was never a day that went by I didn’t feel cherished and completely loved by him.
“I’m going to nap. Milandro barely let me sleep last night,” she mumbled behind a yawn. I snapped out of my thoughts and waved at her.
***
I was so completely lost in reading that I didn’t hear the door open.
“Angel,” Artemy called. My head snapped up, and I closed the book with a smile.
“Artemy,” I replied, placing my hands out for him, silently calling him to me. He walked further inside and closed the door behind me. Coming to me, he grabbed my hands and placed a kiss on my forehead before straightening up.
“I have to go,” he announced abruptly.
My heart slammed to a stop before racing again. “You have to leave?”
Artemy made a regretful sound, his eyes sorrowful when he nodded. “I have to take care of some business. Outside the state. So I will be gone for a few days.”
“When?” I asked, my fingers moving nervously over the comforter. I hated the idea of being without him.
“We are leaving tonight,” he said softly, looking into my eyes.
My shoulders drooped low, and a resigned sigh escaped my lips.
“I want you to come with me.”
My mouth fell open in shock, and I looked up in surprise. Artemy’s blue eyes were glimmering from the rays of sunlight showering in the room, and a small smile played across his lips, showing the small indentation in his cheek.
“What?” I sputtered.
“Have you ever been to the beach?” he asked, cocking his head to the side in question.
I shook my head silently.
“We’re going to Florida. There are some beautiful beaches there,” he murmured.
I couldn’t leave. Raffaele was still out there. The thought sent chills down my spine, and I shook my head.
“But-”
Artemy didn’t give me a chance to utter any excuses. “You’ll be safe.”
I didn’t answer. I desperately wanted to go with him, to see the beach. To be with Artemy.
Artemy made the decision for me. He leaned forward and kissed me soundly on the lips, leaving me breathless. “I want you with me. I need my Angel.”
I had only one answer. “Okay,” I whispered against his lips.
Artemy sent me one of his beautiful smiles before straightening up to his full height. He pulled me off the bed until I was standing in front of him. “Good. You don’t have to pack a bag.”
Confused, I started to protest, but he placed a finger over my lips. “It’s okay, Angel. Everything will be taken care off.”
After giving me another kiss, he left the room, leaving me alone with my wandering thoughts. I was going out of the estate for the first time since I had escaped Raffaele.
Fear slithered its way into my body, and I struggled to breathe.
Artemy’s words resonated in my head, loud and clear, calming me just a little.
You’ll be safe.
I need my Angel.
It was dangerous, yet I was willing to take such a big risk. Only because I trusted Artemy…only because I couldn’t bear to be without him. And I knew he felt the same way.
Throughout the day, I willed myself to be strong. I told myself repeatedly that everything was going to be fine. I was safe.
Lynda came to my room, and I told her. She was excited, deliriously happy for me. She talked animatedly about the beach and how much I was going to love it, but still the panic never left me.
And then, finally night had fallen, and it was time for us to leave. Artemy came into the room, and I jumped off the bed, swallowing nervously.
He made his way to me, his eyebrows furrowed at my tense expression. “Hey.” He cupped my face, tilting my face up so my eyes were on his. “What’s wrong, Angel?”
“I-” Words failed me, and I broke off with a shuddering breath.
Artemy quickly wrapped me into his arms, holding me tight against his body. I took a deep breath, and my muscles slowly started to relax. I held on to him for dear life and pressed my ear to his chest, listening to his beating heart.
“Rebecca, if you don’t want to go, then you don’t have to. I don’t want to force you,” he whispered gently in my ear, his hand rubbing my back soothingly.
My fingers tightened around his suit jacket, and I shook my head. “No.”
“What is it? Talk to me, Angel.”
“I want to go,” I muttered.
“Are you sure?” he questioned, his voice slightly hoarse.
I nodded. “Yes. Take me with you, Artemy.” This time, it was my choice, not Artemy’s demand.