“I don’t have secrets, but you might be right. I could afford to be a little more open with you.” It seemed like I was safe from being shoved again, so I wrapped my hand around her nape. “For the final time, I am not having sex with any other women, and I won’t for the duration of this arrangement. My word might not mean anything to you yet, but it will. You will understand, sooner rather than later, if I have anything to say about it. When I tell you I’ll do something, you can count on it.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
I sank my fingers into her hair. “Do you get me, pretty girl? Are you hearing me?”
She nodded. “I do hear you.”
“Finally.”
She brought back the shoves. “Don’t be smug. You may not have been keeping this side of you a secret, but you definitely weren’t forthcoming, and you know it.”
“Maybe. I’ve never had someone to answer to. You’re the first person I’ve lived with since college.”
“You don’t answer to me, but a ‘hey, I’m headed down to the studio, see you later’ would be nice.”
My mouth hitched. “I can handle that.”
“We’ll see.” She pushed off me, forcing me to let her go. “Now, tell me about this place. Do you only sculpt?”
“That’s my main medium. I also paint and draw.”
Her gaze swept over me. “Do you love it?” She asked this with such complete earnestness I felt compelled to give her the full, raw truth.
“In another life, I’d make a go of this as a career. But I was born a Rossi, and with my last name comes responsibilities. What I do in this studio can’t be more than a hobby. That’s the way it is.”
“I’m not sure that answered my question, Luca.”
“That's all I have to give you.”
I showed her around, answering her endless stream of questions along the way. She wanted to see every corner, to know what each tool did. I wasn’t at all surprised she was so interested. Saoirse lived for experiences, and that was what this was for her: an experience to stack up with the others.
When she was finished with her tour, she started for the door, but I didn’t follow. “Aren’t you coming?”
I glanced around the space, then at her. “Hey, I’m gonna stay in the studio. See you later.”
That made her smile. “See? That wasn’t so hard.”
“You’re right. I’ll try to make it a habit.”
“Well”—she shifted from one foot to the other—“don’t stay up too late. You have work tomorrow.”
“Got it. Good night, pretty girl.”
“Good night, Luca. Thank you for showing me this.”
With that, she left me alone, quietly closing the door behind her, and I blew out a long, heavy breath, shoving my hair off my face.
I should have followed her upstairs. Eaten dinner with her. Made sure she was comfortable after the way I’d taken her this morning. Put her to bed.
But after the weekend of playing the good husband and bringing her into my studio, I needed to be on my own. To re-create the safe space between us we’d pretty much decimated the last few days.
I was only human. Continuing to grow closer to Saoirse would only lead to disaster. I could fuck without feeling. I’d proven that over the course of my life, time and time again. It was everything else I wasn’t able to compartmentalize.
But we’d done the hard part. Our family and friends knew. An article or two had been published. It was time to get on with it.
Tomorrow, we’d return to the office and slot back into our roles.
All would be right.
Chapter Twentyfour
Saoirse
The two weeks after we returned from Wyoming went by fast. My weekdays were filled with working, hanging with Elise in my downtime, and waving at Luca in passing.
Sure, he’d gotten better about telling me where he was going, but he hadn’t made any effort to spend time with me. Not that I expected him to. It was just…after our trip, I thought we’d gotten closer. Maybe even heading toward friends…with benefits.
But Luca’s walls had gone right back up.
It was for the best. I didn’t have the time to miss him when he was gone. I’d spent the past two weekends working at my friend Kenji’s pop-up business and several evenings during the week meeting with Miles about our potential partnership, which was beginning to seem more and more real.
That was why I was surprised to receive an email from Luca Monday morning since I had barely said more than a “hello” and “goodbye” to him for days.
From: [email protected]
Saoirse,
If you are available at lunchtime, please meet me at the Davenport at noon. Room 1019. If you won’t be able to make it, let me know and we’ll find another time.
Yours,
Luca
I stared at his email, both incensed and turned on. He was so fucking arrogant, assuming I’d jump at the chance to meet him at a hotel. But dear god, did his arrogance do something to me.
I knew he could back up his words with action. Having that taste of Luca left me wanting. And damn him for being right. My toys were fun, but they didn’t satisfy me anymore. Not when I knew the heights my body was capable of attaining with his help.
From: [email protected]
Luca,
I do happen to be free for lunch today. I’m in the mood for a big, thick sandwich. Is that what you were planning to feed me in room 1019? Are you going to cram it down my throat? Will you give me so much it drips down my chin? I really don’t want you to stain my top. It’s silk. So I might have to take it off first.
I hope that was what you had in mind.
Sincerely,
Your Inconvenient Wife
My busy husband managed to reply within minutes.
From: [email protected]
Saoirse,
I’ll feed you. It won’t be a sandwich, but you’ll be satisfied when you walk away, you filthy girl.
The only thing inconvenient about you is you’re not under my desk with your mouth around me, taking care of the situation you created.
Yours,
Luca
Wetness flooded my panties. How did he do this to me?
From: [email protected]
Luca,
Hmmm…is that an invitation?
If not, I’ll see you at noon.
Sincerely,
Your Inconvenient and Wet Wife
From: [email protected]
Saoirse,
I wish it was an invitation. Unfortunately, Miller is sitting across from me, and I think he would notice you crawling under my desk.
I’ll see you at noon. Make sure you’re not wearing panties.
Yours,
Luca
At 12:05, I knocked on the door of room 1019. It was torn open seconds later, and I was yanked inside. It slammed shut as Luca backed me into the wall beside it, huffing at me like an angry bull.
His hips rocked against my belly, and my pulse thrummed.
“Hi,” I said softly. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”
His hand came up to my jaw, more gentle than I’d expected given the intensity radiating from his pores.