His Stolen Bride - MINK Page 0,18

little red marks there that must have been from Santino’s short beard when he’d had his head there.

My whole body heats thinking about it. My sister has mentioned a few times that Leo does it to her. I thought it sounded uncomfortable and awkward. I was so wrong. None of it had been. The only thing I felt was pleasure. Is sex always like that? It’s not as if I have anyone to ask. Gianna has only been with one person before. There’s no way I’m asking my new husband. I don’t need him getting a big head.

“Bella!” My name echoes through the halls. I let my dress drop to hide my thighs. I hate that I couldn't go to the meeting today with my father. My dad is always saying I’m a Carrera, and now my husband is claiming I’m a Baldino. Yet, I still don’t get to go to any meetings or get to know shit about any of it.

“I demand you move this minute.” Gianna’s voice on the other side of the door. “What are you doing in there?”

My face heats thinking about why I'm here. Santino and I didn't make it far last night. I’d been all over him. I bet he throws it in my face later.

“No one gets in unless she allows it, and I’m not to wake Mrs. Baldino,” I hear a man tell her. I pull the door open before my sister can give the man another earful. Her eyes go wide when she sees me. She pushes past the man to get to me. Leo tries to follow her in, but the guard on my door doesn't let him.

“Sister time,” she tells Leo before shutting the door herself. “You had sex!”

“Well, you didn't need to close the door if you were going to shout it.”

She throws her hand over her lips like she can trap the words back into her mouth.

“Are you okay?” I ask. She lets her hand fall away.

“Am I okay? Are you okay?”

“I am well.” I smooth the wrinkles out of my dress. She keeps staring at me, a slow dreamy smile spreading across her face. I knew she was going to act this way. I need to set the record straight so she doesn’t think this is some fairy tale that’s going to have a happily ever after.

“You’re smitten.”

“What?”

She smiles even bigger.

“Don’t get any ideas in your head. Yes, we had sex. No, it wasn't terrible. But it was only sex.”

“Are you sore?” Her face turns more serious. “I know my first time, I was sore.”

“I’m fine,” I tell her again. I am a touch tender. Not enough that I would turn down another round of sex with Santino. Oh my God, what is wrong with me?

She gasps and puts a hand to her mouth. “What if you really fall for him?” My sister keeps going, dreaming up a fairy tale in her mind. “What if …”

I’m about to burst her bubble when I realize I shouldn't. Wouldn't it be better if she thought all those things were true? That’ll make it easier for her to leave me behind when the time comes.

I decide against my earlier plan. Instead, I smile and nod, reminding myself not to grab on to what she’s selling herself. No good will come of it. I need to stay on course and remember my purpose: protecting Gianna. To get her out of here before anyone finds out about her secret.

I don’t want a man to just fall in love with me. I want to be respected. To me, that would make a real marriage. One where I wouldn’t be left behind because someone thought my ears shouldn’t hear the things they spoke of. I’m not deemed important enough to hear the conversations, but I sure can be traded in their games. Used as a pawn for their benefit. Sexist assholes, the lot of them.

“Have you eaten breakfast?” I finally cut in. I need a shower and to talk to Leo.

“No.” She grabs my hand and leads me from the room. When I step out, I find there’s not only one man standing guard at my door, but two.

“Were men on your door last night?” I whisper to my sister. She shakes her head. Interesting.

“I want to know everything about my new husband,” I whisper to Leo, who gives me a firm nod that he’ll handle it. I’m sure he’s already on it.

As we head back toward my old bedroom, I try to