CHAPTER 7

Valeria pov

I lay next to Massimo, who seemed to have drifted off to sleep. My eyes scanned his body. He had on a singlet, and I observed his inked body. From his arms to his chest, it looked so hot. I wish I could run my fingers over his body like it belonged to me.

“Ugh, what are you thinking?” I whispered to myself as I turned away from him. I can't have anything to do with him. That would be so immoral. Well, he's my husband, so wouldn't it be right?

What, he's not your husband? Your real husband is still out there. The voices in my head were having a debate. I got up from the bed and went downstairs. I needed to clear my mind. I grabbed a bottle of water and stepped outside.

I walked towards the pool and sat at the edge as my legs dangled in the water. “Where the hell are you, Sandor?” I whispered to myself.

How could he just disappear like that? Why would he do that to me? And why is he not trying to reach out? I sighed heavily as I took a sip of the water.

And I'm here, stuck with his cold brother who never looks at me for more than a second.

“Why are you out here?” I flinched and dropped my water bottle in the pool. “Oh my God, you scared the hell out of me,” I said as my hand moved to my chest.

“It's late. You shouldn't be out this late.”

I rolled my eyes. “And who are you to tell me what to do?”

“I am your husband Valeria, and I care about your safety.”

I slowly got up to meet his height, but I was nowhere near his height.

“Oh, so suddenly you're my majestic husband now?” He walked closer to me, closing the gap between us. I stared up at him, and his grey eyes seemed to be clouded with a lot of things.

“I am your husband, Valeria, until Sandor returns. So I need you to behave.” I rolled my eyes again.

“Stop that.”

“What?”

“That thing you just did with your eyes.”

My brows furrowed, and I took a step back because we were dangerously close to each other. “I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, okay?” And with that, I walked past him and entered the house.

Fucking prick.

****

I turned one last time in the mirror before grabbing my purse and leaving the house. I was on my way to meet Priya. We hadn't spoken after the wedding and two weeks had already passed.

Two weeks with that nonchalant monster of a husband. Ugh, he's so annoying. Good thing I hardly see him around the house.

And ever since I moved to my room, I didn't have to see him all the damn time. I got to the restaurant and Priya and I hugged before I sat across from her.

“Still no news from him?” She asked in a worried voice. I ran my hand through my hair as I let out a deep sigh. I almost forgot about him. How could I possibly forget about someone I had spent three years of my life with?

Unbelievable. “Yeah, still nothing. Father doesn't seem to care. He's just thrilled that I'm married.” Priya caressed my hand and I gave her a timid smile. “Hey, girls.” We both turned and it was Reginald. We smiled as he sat by us. After minutes of talking and catching up, Reginald cleared his throat.

“Oh no, he's about to announce something.”

“Definitely.” We all laughed at his remark. “Um, Sarah and I are dating.” He said as he pressed his lips into a thin line. His eyes darted between Priya and me.

And she shot me a ‘I told you so’ look, and I just rolled my eyes.

“That's wonderful, congratulations.”

He scratched his head lazily. “Don't congratulate me just yet, something is bothering me.”

“And what is that?”

“I am a hopeless romantic, what if I blow it with her? What if she falls for someone else? What if…”

“Regi.” Priya cut him off. “Sarah wouldn't have agreed to be with you if she didn't love you, so just take things slow. Go on dates, take her to picnics, walks, anything that will help you guys bond.”

He breathed out heavily. “What would I do without you guys? I was literally freaking out. She initiated our first kiss. I was a total loser.”

“Haha, that is definitely Sarah, very bold,” I said as I sipped my smoothie.

We spoke for hours and laughed so much that my cheeks began to hurt. I needed this to be with my friends and to forget about the chaos that was at home.

Priya left because she needed to run an errand, Reginald also left to meet Sarah and I was already on my way out of the restaurant.

“When did you get here?” A deep cold voice said, and I knew who it belonged to. I looked up and it was Massimo, leaning lazily against his Escalade.

My brows furrowed as I stared at him. What the hell?

“Are you following me?” He didn't say anything, his eyes bore into mine and for a minute I thought it would burn.

The stare was intense and suffocating. “Get in the car, Valeria.” He said as he walked to the passenger side and opened the door for me.

“And if I refuse?”

He shot me a look, one that screamed ‘don't test me.’

“Don't let me ask twice.” I rolled my eyes and walked inside as he slammed the door shut. I thought he was going to say something, but he didn't. The ride was quiet. I glanced at him countless times but he never turned to look at me.

“Are we just going to sit in silence?” I asked as I turned to look at him but he gave me the same silent treatment. I rolled my eyes and turned to the window side.

What an arrogant prick.

We arrived home in no time, and I didn't wait for him to unlock my seat; I just left. I was furious. Why is he such a dickhead?

I went inside the kitchen and poured myself a glass of juice to calm myself down, but I immediately felt chills down my spine. I could feel his presence from behind me.

I turned and he was just inches away from me. A small gasp escaped from my lips at how close he was to me.

He grabbed the glass from my hand and set it aside. Then he grabbed me by the waist, sitting me on the counter. The act caught me completely by surprise. My heart raced. He sat me down and stood between my legs.

I blinked as I stared at him. Although he hadn't touched me, I could feel my pussy throb.