ocean didn’t make my hunger lessen. I was caught up in some insane romantic notion that we could actually become lovers, walking hand in hand on the beach.
Fat chance in hell.
Neither one of us wanted that scenario crashing in on the party. I chuckled at the thought. This certainly wasn’t a vacation. He was merely doing his due diligence keeping the prize safe until I could be married off in proper attire. I couldn’t help but wonder what my life would be like after accepting. Wait a minute. Was I actually seriously thinking about following through with my... requirements? A lump formed in my throat, my legs quaking. I couldn’t do it. I just couldn’t bring myself to accept a loveless marriage.
Not even to save myself.
We were close to the ocean, the smell of saltwater and sand filtering into my nostrils. I loved the beach; the lapping waves and sand between my toes, the peaceful feeling of taking a long walk or even savoring a glass of wine while enjoying the sunset. I suspected I wouldn’t be allowed to engage in any of those activities, no matter how hard or how often I begged.
He’d already shut down as I’d seen him do before.
As he drove onto a residential street, I expected to see iron gates keeping the pretty and perfect people safe and secure in their own little worlds. When the first two homes came into view, I was thrown by their size. They were... tiny, at least in comparison to every house within our community in the Hamptons. They were also much older, some needing a decent number of repairs.
Matteo finally slowed, turning down a gravel driveway, the narrow path surrounded by overgrown trees. When he pulled in front of what could only be described as a bungalow, a gasp erupted from my mouth.
“This is yours?” I asked.
“I’ve owned this house for several years, the only place I can find true peace. My world isn’t all about fancy cars, homes, and expensive trips, Winter. The sooner you realize that the better.” The goading words haunted me. Maybe he hadn’t deserved them before. He didn’t bother waiting for me, merely exiting the vehicle and grabbing the small bag he’d brought from the plane.
The one hiding the gun.
I’d seen the wad of cash he’d grabbed as well as the ammunition clips. He was expecting something terrible to happen.
As I climbed out of the car, leaning against the door, I found myself scanning the perimeter, a trickle of fear forming. His words and insinuations of threats had spooked me more than I wanted to admit. What if we were being hunted by this mafia thug and whatever goons he brought with him? They would find us.
He’d left the front door wide open and was nowhere to be seen. As I walked inside, I was pleasantly surprised at the surroundings. The little cottage was beautifully decorated, the colors of the walls and furniture nothing like I would have pictured him purchasing. I’d envisioned leather and dark furniture, not the mixture of tropical hues represented. This was his respite, a sanctuary away from the man he portrayed himself to be.
The layers he’d formed into a massive shield of armor were peeling away slowly.
And I could tell it pissed him off.
I heard the sound of the door closing behind me, the click of the lock as it was placed into position. He was taking no chances. Then I felt the heat of his body as he moved closer, his hot breath finding its way to my neck and shoulders. Goosebumps shimmied down my arms, my nipples now fully aroused. My panties were already soaked, the scent floating to my nostrils. I knew he could tell how excited I was. “This is lovely.”
“It’ll do and we will be safe here. I purchased this house in a different name, the flight plan was disguised, and only my brother knows where we are. However, you are not to leave this house without my permission. We should have everything we need, but if we don’t, we will go into town together. You will follow my rules no matter what I ask of you. Is that clear?”
His tone was husky, dripping of danger and lust. I closed my eyes as he drifted even closer, every nerve ending on fire. He had a way about him that left me feeling out of control, hungry to delve into the darkness. Hating myself for my own desires no longer seemed feasible, but somehow,