Alessio was not home in time for dinner. It was just after eight o’clock when I settled into the comfortable chair in front of the fireplace in the living room, reading one of my favorite books. I had thought about doing Pilates or finishing my recent painting, but then I hadn’t found the energy to do it. My phone was resting on the coffee table, hoping for a message from Alessio. Friends from school had texted me, but I already felt that our friendship would not survive the distance. In any case, we had never been the close friends with whom you shared your darkest secrets. Maybe I should have texted Alessio to ask when he was coming home, but even though I had his number, we hadn’t texted yet. I had thought about sending him a picture from the dog park, but I never did.
An idea crossed my mind. I got up and walked over to the liquor cabinet to the left of the marble fireplace. It was filled with several bottles of scotch, gin, bourbon and all kinds of other liquors I didn’t know the first thing about. Remembering Alessio’s words that I shouldn’t drink, I chose the most expensive-looking bottle of scotch with a name I couldn’t even pronounce: Laphroaig, a limited edition. I poured myself a generous amount and took it back to the chair with me. I returned to my seat, took a puff and coughed, surprised by the smoky aroma of the alcohol. I gulped it down and then coughed even harder, tears in my eyes.
“Oh God.” Why would anyone drink it by choice? Maybe it was a man’s thing. After recomposing myself, I picked up my phone, brought the glass to my lips, smiled defiantly, and took a selfie. I sent it to Alessio.
Laphroaig keeps me company while I work He saw my message almost instantly. He did not respond. Annoyed, I put my glass and phone back down. Fifteen minutes later, the front door opened and closed again. Loulou, who was huddled in her basket, burst into the lobby, followed by Alessio’s disapproving voice. “Loulou!” I called out, grabbed the glass, and took another, larger sip. Loulou trotted into the living room and curled up once more in her basket. I quickly threw my legs over the armrest so Alessio could see my over-the-knee socks that he hated so much. Then Alessio appeared in the doorway, dark and imposing, looking like the deadly businessman he was. He scrutinized me from head to toe, dwelling on the glass still pressed to my lips, my flowered dress and black socks.
His anger was swift, turning his face into a mask with even sharper contours. For a moment, my stomach clenched in fear with the knowledge that I knew nothing about Gaia’s death, but I did not allow this emotion to take over. Alessio had done nothing to me. Yet, when he closed the door, my adrenaline soared. He approached me, but I did not move and took another sip of whiskey. It burned a trail down my throat and heat began to blossom in my belly, not just from the alcohol. There was something in the primal disapproval on Alessio’s face that awakened my body in ways I could not use at that moment.
We had to talk about Elijah, and I wasn’t going to let sex get in the way of that.
“I don’t have time for games, Gianna. Was that picture meant to provoke me?” He stopped right in front of the chair, tall and creepy. He looked breathtaking and terrifying.
”No,” I replied lightly.
“I just wanted to keep you updated on my evening activities, considering how eager you are to control every aspect of my life.” He leaned over me, his muscular arms resting on the armrests. The expensive fabric of his jacket brushed against my calves, and the friction, though distant, sent a shiver down my spine. Perhaps it was the alcohol that made me so sensitive to Alessio’s aura. He exuded dominance and primal sensuality. His eyes slid over my crossed legs, lingering on the sliver of bare skin on my upper thighs. Then he looked up. I swallowed at the intensity of his expression, as if he wasn’t sure whether he wanted to devour me or spank me.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Elijah. Don’t tell me he didn’t call you today. I bet you expect updates on the status of his mission every hour.” His strong palm had somehow found its way onto the small patch of bare skin between the hem of my skirt and my over-the-knee socks. I felt the touch between my legs; I wanted his fingers to move higher, but I restrained myself. He took my glass away and downed the whiskey. “I told you I don’t want you to drink hard liquor.”
“Because I’m not old enough.”
Alessio set the glass down on the table, moving even closer.
“Gianna.” The word was a low growl, full of warning. I didn’t care. His hand slid higher up my leg, under my skirt, and his lips crashed onto mine. For a moment my body arched toward him, eager for the touch, the kiss and what it promised. But I wasn’t about to let Alessio distract me with angry sex, no matter how desperately my body wanted him. I pushed against his chest, tearing my mouth from his. “No. Stop.”
Alessio’s fingers grazed my panties, soaked from our discussion. He groaned.
“What are you doing to me?” Me? What was I doing? I pressed harder against him. “Alessio, stop.” His eyes focused on me and his expression softened, becoming guarded and detached. He straightened, depriving me of his warmth, his touch, his scent.
“We need to talk about Elijah,” I exited. Alessio stepped back and removed the folds of his jacket as if nothing had happened.
“There’s nothing to talk about. Let your imagination run wild.”
Anger surged through me. I lowered my legs and stood up. Since he was a span taller, this did not have the effect I wanted. “How stupid do you take me for?” Alessio raised his eyebrows.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I huffed, remembering Elijah’s exact same words. “You know exactly what I’m talking about, Alessio, because the moment I confronted Elia, he called you.” Alessio’s face remained a mask of stoic calm, which infuriated me even more.
“You are unreasonable and childish.”
Whenever I tried to talk to him or get him to relent, he accused me of being a child. But when he wanted to sleep with me, this fact did not cross his mind.
“As your wife, I deserve the truth. I do not deserve to be deceived and spied on. What was the purpose of this charade? Did you think I would throw myself at the first attractive man who smiled at me?” Alessio squinted his eyes.
“So, you find him attractive.” I had had enough. I walked up to him and looked at him.
“Are you serious?” Alessio did not dignify me with an answer. He unbuttoned his shirt with exasperating nonchalance.
“Look at me.” He lifted his head, but his eyes were hard. No sign of guilt. Did he think his actions were okay?
“I can’t believe you used Elijah as a trap to see if I would betray you. We are married.” “Marriage has never stopped anyone.”
“Is that so?” I asked in curiosity, trying to see if he was referring to himself.
“I would never cheat.”
“Oh, so I’m supposed to take your word for it, but you can use my bodyguard to test me? Don’t you realize how wrong that is?” “I do what is necessary.”