Erica’s POV
I was in the kitchen with a bottle of wine and the frying pan was on fire.
I had to check online for the recipe and I was told to flambe with alcohol. The shrimp were a blaze but I was calm and flipped them in the skillet until they were a beautiful golden brown.
Finally, I was done. I found it odd that Lorenzo hadn’t come out of his room since Clarissa left. I was certain that the smell of his favorite dish was sure to attract him.
I sighed and set the table. None of this felt right.
I mean, it was the right thing to do but it didn’t feel natural. I felt off. Like a part of me was resisting all of this.
I literally had to force myself into all this with the hope that I would ease up over time. But the feeling was still as strong as before. None of this felt like I was doing it with my heart.
I covered up the food and headed upstairs to shower and change.
The clean and fresh water on my body filled me with life and I could feel the aroma of the spices and sauces that clung to my body being washed away.
It was a glorious feeling. My fingers tickled my skin and it felt like Dante was…
No.
I stopped and stood hopelessly under the spraying water.
What was wrong with me? Why was I thinking about him? I shouldn’t be thinking about him.
The water was calming and in that moment of peace, the thought of Dante crept up on me again.
His kisses, his taste on my tongue. My pussy clenched hard and pleasurably as I remembered the way he felt inside of me. He was wonderful.
These felt natural. These felt right but my stomach churned, knowing that it could never be.
I got out of the bathroom and wrapped my towel around my body. My hair was wet and I stood next to the bed looking at the clothes that I had chosen. I never thought that I would get to wear them.
The bright red lingerie stared back at me and I felt uncomfortable. I was doing all of this for Lorenzo.
I was engaged to him. Soon, I was going to start calling him my husband. I had to get used to all of this.
I fought with myself and my will. Nearly all of myself was screaming at me not to put it on.
I was at loggerheads as to what to do.
I suddenly remembered that the meal I made was getting cold.
I sighed and picked up the lingerie.
The sooner this is over, the better. Besides, I might enjoy this. I just had given it the chance.
Without any thought, I slipped on the skimpy clothes and looked at myself in the mirror.
I looked like a porn star. I guess that was a good thing. It was the slutty look that I was going for anyway.
I dried my hair and let it hang below my shoulders.
Perfect.
The red lipstick winked at me in the corner but I ignored it. This was bad enough. I still felt uncomfortable.
I slipped on my house coat and tied it properly, to hide the slut queen that was underneath. It was supposed to be a surprise. I just hoped that it was a good one.
I headed downstairs and knocked on his room door. It took a while before I heard the door click open and he came out with his hair a hot sexy mess.
I took a deep breath. I had to focus on him and just him. No one else.
“Erica?”
“Lorenzo, I made you lunch.”
I flashed him a smile and touched my hair seductively.
I felt like I was going to vomit. This was an awful feeling.
He smiled back sweetly. He looked quite unsure though but I could tell that my persistent smile egged him to accept.
“Thank you. I will be out in a sec.”
He retreated inside and I waited at the door for him.
In a few minutes, he came back out with a shirt and some jeans on.
I was certain that he knew what all this was about. Why did he have to look so formal? Well, formal, compared to me who was in my silk house coat, with slutty underwear underneath.
He walked to the dining table and I held his arm affectionately.
Part of me felt like I was doing too much. This hurt so bad. My insides were churning painfully. I wanted this day to be over.
In fact, why did I suggest to myself to do this in the first place?
“Sit here, darling.”
I guided him to his seat and he sat down while I seductively played with his shoulders.
I jerked a little and I stopped. Maybe I had hit a sensitive spot. It was probably best that I took it down a notch.
I stood next to him and seductively opened the food, bending a little too much over the table as I retrieved the salt.
“I made you your favourite. Shrimp Primavera with a spicy chicken sauce side dish.”
I sat down on the chair that was next to him, crossed my legs, and watched his expression as I showed him the meal.
He didn’t look too surprised. Bummer.
“Thank you, Erica. This is wonderful.”
He said the words dryly and began to eat.
I felt my heart sink a little. I had put so much effort into making the meal. The least he could do was acknowledge my efforts.
I was silent and sat and ate next to him. There was an uncomfortable silence between the both of us.
My hands shook slightly as I ate. I wanted this day to be over and quickly.
His apathy made me feel even worse. Was he angry that I had not taken time out to treat him like this? Maybe he didn’t trust me. Maybe he knew about Dante.
I gasped silently at the thought of it all.
No. I had to make this right. I had to show that I cared about him even though it was a lie.
I took a deep breath and decided that it was time to take the big step.
I surreptitiously undid the belt of my housecoat and let it slide down my shoulders seductively and my full cleavage was a cheeky display.
A blush spread over my face.
Good. Men found flushed women attractive, right?
I turned to him and cleared my throat slightly.
“Lorenzo, could you pass me the salt?…”