“Yeah.” Her lashes fluttered.
To believe in nonsense was a luxury his father had indulged in, where love ruled common sense, and he'd killed Astorre and Olivia's mother because another had spurned him. At some point in life, love made men illogical, irrational and dangerous.
She needed the truth. He brushed his hand on her thigh that he could feel under her soft lace. “Doesn’t matter. We went into this wedding understanding who we were and what we’re capable of.”
Clara sighed with frustration. “Yes. I know you don't love me.”
Good, but that didn’t address everything. “I heard you tell your friend that we could be maybe more.”
She nodded and said like she wanted to make him feel better, “I don’t want her worried about me. Don’t fret about that.”
Astorre hoped they were on the same page. Now he could show her what he had to offer with physical pleasure. He stroked her leg. “Fret isn’t something I do. I am attracted to you, Clara.”
A smile broke out on her face and she turned around to give him the zipper of her dress. “Good. I’m your wife, and I’ve always been curious.”
“Then I won’t let you down.” He kissed the skin he exposed as she let out a soft moan.
She said, “I trust you.”
No more words. He held her shoulders and pulled her onto his lap to kiss her hard.
Tonight he’d be in heaven and he’d ensure she was his, even if it damned her.
Chapter 5
Clara heard the water of the shower. At least she thought it was the shower. She refused to open her eyes for a few moments more.
Sleep last night had been amazing.
Well, that wasn’t true. She giggled and peeked to see the bathroom door was closed. She stretched and admitted to herself she hadn’t done much sleeping--and it had been so much better than her imagination.
Seriously.
The books were wrong. She wasn’t sore, but empowered. Her skin was sensitive and yet she wanted to be touched. Astorre strode out of the bathrobe, wrapped in a towel around his waist, his face taut. “Astorre, what’s going on?”
He waved his hand like she needed to move as he said, “Get dressed. Let’s get you to Avce to see your new home.”
So much for morning kisses. Then again, this wasn’t love and she shouldn’t lie to herself. She stood and ignored the nerves inside her that twanged a warning. She asked lightly, “My haunted house?”
He crossed his arms and his chest grew bigger, muscles bulging. “The place of innocence destroyed.”
Got it. Her face flushed. This wasn’t fun for him. She grabbed a t-shirt to toss on before she got into the shower so she wasn’t entirely naked. “When was the last time you were there?”
From behind her she heard, “I haven't gone back since I was teenager.”
“Not even to see your sister?”
His eyes were bright as he said, “Caught. I visit a few times a year to look over things but I duck out as fast as I can. I was being, dramatic.”
“You do tend to go to extremes.” If this caused him pain, they didn’t need to go. She inched closer but kept her head down as she said, “We don’t have to live there. We can go anywhere you want.”
He lowered his arms and patted her shoulder. “I need to formally bring you there and then we can decide.”
Good. She glanced up and hoped to lighten his mood as she teased, “So, do you promise not to murder me?”
He hugged her tight, his words intense as he said, “I’ll do everything in my power to never hurt you.”
And hopefully in time he'd be less over reactive. She hugged him back. “Good. I trust you.”
