“Sure, go ahead. Absolutely no one is around. “He came closer, put his arm around my waist, and leaned down to say something in my ear.
“My want is to have unrestricted physical contact with you. Does the fact that I want to f*ck you without your pants being in the way worry you? In the end, I would have stolen them from you if I had acquired them for you. ”
“Matthew’s here,” I sputtered.
“He’ll be all right.”
“Don’t want him staring at me, that’s for sure. “I felt awkward with Mathew. He was always invading my space. He got a kick out of frightening me. When he moved near to me, I could see the spark of emotion in his eyes. Everywhere else, he seemed bored and disinterested. But when he made me uncomfortable, he seemed pleased. It was quite disturbing.
Nicola said confidently, “Then I’ll tell him not to look.” The time has come to get dressed. It’s not worth risking Mathew’s wrath.
“But I…”
“Finally, Emily. “He gave me the most intense look he’d ever given me.
Before I knew it, I was pulling on the yoga pants. I didn’t fear Nicola, but I did heed the warning of the heavier tone in his voice. I didn’t put the idea of testing him out of my mind since I had no idea what would happen if I did.
After I got dressed, the severe look faded and was replaced with a grin that took my breath away. As we were leaving the bedroom, he put a quick kiss on my lips and grasped my hand.
As we made our way to the kitchen, I took a few moments to glance about the home for the first time since yesterday night, when I was too overcome with emotion to do so. Okay, so “house” wasn’t quite right. In the glimpses I had, Mathew’s home looked like an Italian palace, decked out in white marble and gold. The result was extravagant, which was at odds with Mathew’s straightforward demeanor.
” This is Matthew’s actual home?” As we down the graceful curving staircase, I inquired as Nicola held my hand and stayed in step with me. We walked by a low-hanging chandelier whose dripping crystals cast rainbows over the vaulted ceiling as we descended. The painted fresco above us caught my eye, and I looked up. Even though my inner art historian was intrigued, I couldn’t help but wonder why Mathew had cherubs painted on his ceiling.
“It’s his father’s home,” Nicola said to me. But Leo just seldom visits. For the most of his life, Matthew has lived alone.
” It sounded really sad and alone. I mean, what about his mom? Where are his brothers and sisters? ”
The tension on Nicola’s face tightened. “If Mathew wants to tell you, he can.”
I was tempted to inquire as to the reason for the secrecy, but I already knew. And I certainly didn’t want word to get out that I’d grown distant from my own mother. It was simpler to put on a happy front and boast about how amazing of a surgeon she was and how pleased I was of her. When what I really felt was anger and rejection.
“Oh. Okay.” I didn’t press the issue and wouldn’t think of asking Mathew about it either. I avoided him like the plague, and certainly didn’t want to talk to him about our respective families. To be honest, I doubted that Mathew had a soul.
Mathew was not in the kitchen when we arrived. On the marble-topped island were two plates with perfectly fluffy omelets. Nicola, ever the gentleman, pulled out a chair for me in the bar, just as he had done every time we were roommates at Havard. At least some of what he said seemed to be sincere.
He promised last night to look out for me and make me happy. Despite my head still being blown by the information about his lifestyle, I believed him. It would take me some time to accept the truth that my dear Nicola was a criminal, but knowing that he had attempted to leave and start over helped. We might return to Havard together after the threat had passed. He had the option to begin over. I’d have Nicola at my side while I resumed my regular activities.
It was a lot less of a struggle to accept my situation after I learned this. Though I suspect Mathew abducted me, I was in no way a prisoner here. In a word, no. It wasn’t that Nicola wasn’t concerned for my safety; on the contrary, he was attempting to protect me. Refusing his protection would be a foolish move.
And I wasn’t sure he’d give me a chance to say no. I knew that if I hadn’t tried to defy his decision to keep me here, our relationship could be very different now.
I recalled how he had pinned me down by wrapping his hand around my throat and kissing my pleading sobs. That was a side of him I’d never seen before. When I heard that, my stomach dropped and my heart rate accelerated.
Nicola’s voice cut through my gloom, “I guess Mathew already ate.” By gently placing two fingers under my chin, he drew my attention back to himself. “Are you all right?”
“yeah”. I couldn’t be afraid of him when he looked at me with tender concern and touched me gently. Just hungry, that’s all.
He cracked a grin. ” Then we should eat quickly before it cools down,” he said.
While we lingered in the bedroom, the eggs cooled off, so I had to eat them before they became rubbery. The omelet was perfect. Mathew, it seems, had a genuine appreciation for the culinary arts.
Still, I figured Mathew’s family could afford a live-in chef with their lavish mansion.
I dismissed my interest, telling myself it wasn’t important to know what Mathew did when he wasn’t terrorizing innocents or committing heinous acts.
“Are you interested in touring the entire property?” My plate was spotless, and as I put down my fork, Nicola asked. It had been scrumptious, truly.
“Sure.” It’s beautiful outside and I’d like to go for a walk. I slept for most of the day yesterday and it was already dark when I awoke. Before I wasted time trying to find a tablet so I could send Ella a message online, I looked out the window. There was at least a two-story drop, but floodlights had illuminated the brick walkway below. If I tried to escape in that manner, I’d probably damage something.
Aside from that, all I could see was a vast field of grass that faded into the night.