Chapter 15

ROBIN

“Get your hands off me, you disgusting pig,” she hissed at him and felt his brute force when he pushed her up against the wall, his hands still on her arms.

“I have something to say, and you will listen to me. I was not going to sleep with her.”

“I saw you, Luca. You were half naked and had your hands on her.” She tried to look away, but he grabbed her face.

“I went to my room to change my shirt because Eleonora spilled red wine on it. I couldn’t very well walk around the rest of the night like that.”

“So you took her up there with you. Oh please, I’m not a fool.”

“Shit, woman, will you shut that beautiful mouth of yours and let me finish. I didn’t even know she was there until I walked out of the bathroom.

“She came on to me, wanted sex, but I refused her. My hands were on her because I was pushing her away. That’s when you walked in.”

“I want to believe you, Luca, but you said it yourself. You said you didn’t think you could wait till we married to have sex.” She sniffled.

“Oh, my sweet baby bird, I meant that. But I meant it about you. I don’t want another. Why would I want another when I have you to look forward to? I want you to tell me that you believe me.”

“She is so beautiful and would be more suitable as your wife. Eleonora is sophisticated and educated and classy and—”

Her words were cut off when Luca covered her mouth with his, taking her breath away.

“Tell me you believe me,” he said, leaving her mouth so she could speak.

“I won’t marry you if you take a mistress.”

“If I promise this, will you keep me happy in and out of the bedroom?”

“Yes, I’ll try.” She meant what she told him. Wanting to be the perfect wife for him, she would read up on how to please a man.”

“I know you will, I can tell. Now answer my other question. Do you believe me about Eleonora, and will you trust me?”

Tracing his chest with her fingers, she placed her lips there, planting soft kisses. “Take me to bed, Luca, now.”

She could feel his heart hammering inside his chest and heard the sharp intake of his breath when she licked his nipple.

“Stop, Robin, you are making me insane with wanting you.” He moved back. “Freshen up, and I’ll finish getting dressed. We have guests waiting for us.”

“Do I have to go back down there? I hate that woman, and she will only make me feel bad.”

“She will be gone tomorrow,” he said, planting his lips on her neck.

“You can’t do that. If you do, Grazia will hate me more than she already does.”

A moan escaped her mouth when he moved down to her collarbone. The heat from his mouth on her flesh made her weak; she was putty in his hands.

“I don’t want that woman in my house. She has caused you pain, and I will not allow her to continue to do so. She and Grazia are two conniving witches, and God only knows what plan they’ll hatch up next.”

Tearing away, he kissed her cheek. “I will return in a few minutes for you.”

Robin let out a deep breath. She felt much better and believed him with all her heart. She would prove to everyone that she could make Luca a good wife. She’d show them all.

ELEONORA

Downstairs, Grazia and Eleonora huddled together in a corner of the enormous room where many were gathered, drinking and mingling.

“Well, so much for that plan. Your cousin is so infatuated with that girl he wouldn’t cave in,” Eleonora said bitterly.

Grazia knocked back her drink. “It looks as though the marriage will take place. All I can do now is try and make peace with the little bitch so she won’t talk Luca into throwing me out.

“If only he would marry you, I’d never have to worry.”

“So you’re giving up, just like that,” Eleonora snapped, angry with her friend. Well, she had no plans of giving up.

ROBIN

Luca held Robin’s hand as they mingled with the guests. She felt better now, and with him by her side, she felt secure.

But it bothered her that women went out of their way to be near him, shamelessly flirting with him. Jealousy coursed through her veins; this was another new emotion she wasn’t sure how to handle.

Whenever she looked toward Eleonora, her anger flared, making it worse when she looked back only to see a wicked smirk plastered on her face.

She’d had enough. Slipping away from Luca, she walked over to where Eleonora was talking to another woman. They kept staring at her and giggling.

“If you have something to say about me, say it to my face,” she hissed at Eleonora.

“Go back to your master, sweetheart,” she said, laughing.

“How dare you talk to me that way, and after you tried to seduce Luca right under my nose. He doesn’t want you, so back off.”

“Oh, sweetheart, if you hadn’t shown up, we would have made love.”

Eleonora turned to the other woman. “Did I tell you Luca bought her? That’s right, paid her uncle money as one would do for a common whore.”

She looked back at Robin. “Face it, dear, you are just his paid whore.”

Feeling eyes watching her and having heard what was said, she felt humiliated. Without thinking of where she was and who was there, she slapped Eleonora hard across the face. People stopped talking to watch.

“You bitch,” she snapped.

Eleonora touched her cheek, her eyes blazing with fury, and shoved Robin, knocking her into an elderly woman who dropped her drink.

Robin charged at her, grabbing her hair and throwing her down on the floor. They both started hitting and ripping at the other one’s dress.

LUCA

Hearing the commotion, Luca rushed into the room and saw them wrestling on the ground. It looked like Eleonora was getting the worst of it when Luca wrapped his arms around Robin’s waist and pulled her off the other woman.

“Robin, stop it this instance. How dare you behave this way in front of my guests.” He had never been this angry or embarrassed in his whole life. “Go to your room.”

“But, Luca—”

He held up his hands. “I said go. I’ll deal with you later after I apologize to my guests.”

ROBIN

For a moment, she stood staring at him in shock. It hurt her to the core that he wouldn’t let her explain, but worst of all, he acted as though she was all to blame.

Tears stung her eyes as she dashed out of the room and past the people who were all staring at her, shaking their heads in disgust.

Reaching her room, she sat down and cried. Her feelings hurt, and she was feeling embarrassed, and Luca was so mad; she was sure he wouldn’t want her now.

Putting on her nightgown, she got into bed, waiting for him to come and tell her she was going back to her uncle’s place.

She jumped when there was a knock at her door, and Luca walked in.

“That was quite the scene you caused down there,” he said, standing there looking down at her before sitting on the bed, facing her. “Care to tell me what it was all about?”

“Why bother? You wouldn’t care. After all, it must be my fault.”

“Tell me,” he ordered.

“Eleonora said in front of everyone that you bought me and I’m nothing but a whore. How could you tell her? How could you do that to me?”

She broke down and cried, feeling his arms going around her. “Everyone knows you paid for me. They are wondering why you want to marry me when you could just keep me as your whore.”

Lifting her chin up, he wiped away her tears. “I’m so sorry, my little bird. I did not tell her. Grazia must have opened her mouth.”

“You were so mean to me in front of everyone, and you wouldn’t listen to me. That is what hurt the most, not what she called me but the way you treated me like a servant.

“Take me back to my uncle, and you’ll never have to be embarrassed by me again.”

“You’re right. I was unfair to you, and you’re not going anywhere, least of all back to that monster.”

“I’m never going to be the kind of wife you want or need.”

“You are exactly what I want. I like how feisty you are and the way you stick up for yourself. I don’t want you to change.”

“Eleonora also said that if I hadn’t shown up in your room, you would have made love to her.”

“She is a liar. Don’t you know by now that I only want you? That bitch will be gone by tomorrow, so you’ll never have to worry about her again.”

He drew her close, his mouth going to hers. He kissed her, his hands pulling her closer, almost crushing her as the kiss intensified.

Lowering her down onto her back, he kicked off his shoes and climbed into bed.

“Shouldn’t you be getting back to the party?” she asked, putting a hand over his mouth.

“It is late, and many have already left. I would much rather be here with you.”

Standing up, he removed his clothes except for the briefs. “I am not going to make love to you. I only want to sleep next to you and hold you in my arms.”

Lying down, he pulled her into his arms.

“I am sorry about the way I behaved. I’ve never hit anyone in my whole life until tonight,” Robin sniffed.

Luca let out a small laugh. “Eleonora deserved it and more. We’ll be married soon, and I promise no one will ever disrespect you again.”

LUCA

He didn’t try to kiss her again in case he lost control. Knowing she was a virgin, he wanted to make her first time romantic and not the result of make-up sex while he was under the influence of alcohol.

“Luca?”

“Yeah,” he answered, suddenly very tired.

“Do we have to have a big wedding? Can’t you take me somewhere to get married? Just the two of us.”

“The plans have already been made, and it will hardly be a big wedding. Besides, I want to show off my beautiful bride. That reminds me, we have to decide where to honeymoon.”

“We don’t have to go anywhere. I mean, I’ve lived in Rome since I was five and have never seen any of it. You could show me around.”

“Is this what you want?” he asked as he ran his finger along her chin.

She nodded.

“Then that’s what we’ll do. But I will take you to the finest hotel, and from there, I will show you the sights. Now sleep. I cannot keep my eyes open much longer.”

ROBIN

Reaching up, she kissed him. The words I love you almost slipped out, but she bit her tongue. She knew he wouldn’t like to hear that since he didn’t believe in love.

Lying in his arms, she wished he would someday say those words to her. She knew he cared for her, felt lust and desire for her, but would he ever love her?

If not, then she could only pray that her love for him would be strong enough to keep them together.

“Goodnight, Luca,” she said in a whisper since he had fallen asleep.