As if I said something funny, a chuckle rumbles from Adriano. He brings his hands to the sides of my head and forces me to look at him before saying, “It’s quite the opposite.” His eyes lock with mine, dark and dangerous. “I know how you’ve been living, Laurie.” Brushing his thumbs over my cheeks, he shakes his head. “I saw you take the train fucking late at night. I followed you to that house where the piece of shit was asleep on the couch while you cleaned up after him.”
My heart stutters and my mouth grows bone dry.
“I watched you doing dishes at midnight and take out the trash alone.” He shakes his head again, his expression so dark, shivers rush over my body, and the tiny hairs stand up on the back of my neck. “You were so fucking vulnerable and such an easy target. There were many times I could’ve grabbed you.”
Jesus.
“You didn’t even eat.” Realizing Adriano is angry, I try to move backward, but his hand shoots to my neck and he forcefully holds me in place. “You were barely surviving,” he snaps before his voice turns into a threatening growl, “You will never take another train, never come home exhausted just to clean up after some worthless piece of shit who doesn’t deserve a masterpiece like you…”
He sucks in a deep breath and visibly calms himself before he continues in a softer tone, “You will sleep in silk, eat whateveryou want, and wear diamonds worth more than everything that fucker can ever hope to own.”
Leaning in, he presses a kiss to my forehead, and I feel his lips brush against my skin as he vows, “You belong at my side, Laurie. Spoiled. Protected. Worshiped.” Pulling back, his eyes take mine captive again. “You will never want for anything again.”
My God, he stalked me!
That’s what the sensible part of me focuses on.
But… he really seems to care.
That’s my stupid, love-starved heart, because I’ve never had anyone putting me first.
Adriano stares deep into my eyes while brushing his thumb over my skin, his hand still wrapped around my neck. “I only want the best for you,mia piccola farfalla.”
I don’t know why it only occurs to me now to ask, “What does the Italian mean?”
“My little butterfly.”
Oh my word, that’s so sweet.
Adriano instantly picks up that I just swooned, and a smile spreads over his face. “I’m glad you like it.”
That’s when I realize this man, who’s known me barely a week, can read me like a book.
Feeling very confused and utterly overwhelmed, I take hold of his wrist as my eyes drift shut. “I…” Letting out a sigh, I look at him again. “I’m going to need time to think about everything.”
“You can think all you want, as long as you understand this is your life now.”
Yeah, I’ve kind of figured I don’t have a choice.
Chapter 14
Adriano
Now that Laurie seems a little calmer, I let go of her and climb to my feet. “Let me show you around.”
She gets up, and as the fabric of the wedding dress falls into place, I once again can’t resist admiring how fucking breathtaking she looks.
Fuck. I actually pulled it off. This exquisite creature is mine.
My wife.
I process the realization quickly, and taking hold of her hand, I lead her to the kitchen and explain where everything is. “We have a housekeeper who comes in on Mondays and Fridays. Gia. Her aunt used to work for us before she retired.”
Walking with Laurie through the mansion, I continue to say, “You’ll see Gia around the property, though. She also takes care of my parents’ place, the other house, and Little Ricky’s apartment above the garages.”
“Your parents?” Laurie asks as we head up the grand staircase.
“Yes. You’ll meet them soon.”