Chapter 29 - Someone familiar

Celeste's POV

Massimo wrapped his arms around me and swirled me around joyfully.

"I missed you, dolcezza!" he exclaimed happily and put me down carefully.

"Why didn't you tell me you're here?" I asked, tapping on his chest playfully.

"My jet landed this evening. I wanted to surprise you, but you weren't home," he informed me warmly. "Are you alone here?"

"Yes."

"Come on, let me buy you a drink," he said cheerfully, grabbing my wrist, and led me towards the VIP lounge.

As soon as the waiter approached us, Massimo ordered a bottle of champagne.

A few minutes later, the waiter brought us the champagne bottle and two flutes. He opened the bottle and poured the champagne into the flutes.

"So? What did bring you here?" I asked, leaning against the soft couch, turning to the side to face Massimo.

"I'm opening a new nightclub in New York next week. It'll be a blast! I'll rock this city too," he replied excitedly.

"That's awesome! Congratulations! So I'll see you often," I said happily.

"Yes, the partners in crime are back. I missed to hang out with you," he stated, caressing my hair.

"I missed it too," I admitted honestly, giving him a warm smile.

"So... Who caused you drink alone here?" Massimo asked, giving me a knowing look.

I heaved a loud sigh, ruffling my hair, and sipped my champagne.

"Spill it, dolcezza."

"It's a long and complicated story," I commented sadly.

"I'm all ears."

I nodded and told him everything happened between Joshua and me, from our Vegas wedding to Becca. Massimo and I were so close; we had never hidden anything from each other.

"Can you believe it? He's a real cretin," I commented angrily and shook my head after telling him about Joshua.

"Well... actually he cheated on her with you," he declared, shrugging his shoulder nonchalantly.

"Should I be relieved?!" I asked mockingly.

"It could be the other way around too," he remarked, raising his eyebrows.

I sighted, biting my lower lip. "I feel awful. I hate cheating, but because of him, I'm part of it."

"Dolcezza, you didn't force him. You were single... but he had a girlfriend. You didn't know. So it's his problem, not yours. In this situation, you could have been guilty only if you had drugged him," he commented, cupping my cheek. "He chose to be with you on his own will. So he should feel guilty, not you," he added compassionately, caressing my cheek gently, and winked at me.

"But after I have found out it was Joshua, we..."

"You told me yourself that you thought they broke up after not seeing that girl around him. So stop worrying," he cut me off.

I breathed deeply and nodded sadly.

"Now cheer up, dolcezza!" he exclaimed, wrapping his arm around my neck, pulling me towards his chest.

"I'm happy you're here. I needed you," I confessed honestly.

"I'm happy to be with you too. I love you, dolcezza," he said warmly and placed a soft kiss on my hair. "Enough of talking about that idiot! Let's have fun. You haven't been boring like this before. Fortunately, I'm here to make you remember how we had fun together," he added cheerfully and stood up. Then he extended his hand towards me, giving me a mischievous smirk.

I chuckled, placing my hand on his hand, and stood up. He grabbed my hand tightly and led me towards the dance floor.

"The women are staring at you," I whispered in his ear playfully. Everywhere Massimo went he always drew women's attention. Of course, it was understandable considering his devilish handsomeness and a magnetic aura.

"Let them stare," he smirked wickedly and swirled me around joyfully. I laughed happily and wrapped my arms around his neck as he pulled me back into his embrace again.

After dancing and drinking, we left the nightclub, totally wasted. As we got into a taxi, I gave my address to the driver.

As the taxi was about to arrive, I asked him if he wanted to stay at my place.

"I would gladly accept, but I've a meeting with the management team early morning," Massimo refused, giving me an apologetic look.

"Why did you drink that much then? You'll have a hangover," I commented worriedly.

"I'm used to alcohol. Don't worry, dolcezza," he assured me, giving me a bright smile.

I nodded and kissed his cheek as the driver stopped the car in front of my apartment.

"See you soon, dolcezza," he said, pulling his head out of the window.

I gave him a warm smile and waved at him before walking towards the entrance.

***

"Ugh!" I rubbed my temple, opening my eyes slowly. My head was pounding. "The side effects of hanging out with Massimo," I mumbled under my breath and grabbed my phone. "Shit!" I exclaimed in panic as I saw what time it was.

I got up quickly and got ready in a hurry while complaining to myself about how I didn't hear the alarm. Once I finished brushing my hair, I put on sunglasses to hide puffiness around my eyes and grabbed my bag.

As soon as I arrived at the company, I rushed towards the elevator.

"Stop it!" I exclaimed as the elevator doors were about to close.

Someone extended his hand stopping the doors from closing. I walked into it in a hurry and breathed in relief, taking off my sunglasses.

"Thank y..." I couldn't finish my sentence as I raised my head.

Damn it!

Joshua stared at me with piercing eyes. Then he checked the time in his wristwatch and frowned.

"You're late," he commented dryly. "Do you have a hangover?" he asked, looking at me suspiciously.

"Yes," I admitted honestly, looking him in the eyes.

"You shouldn't have to drink so much. Especially alone. You aren't used to alcohol," he commented disapprovingly.

I gritted my teeth angrily and replied dryly, "I wasn't alone."

His jaw clenched and his eyes darkened. "With whom?"

"It's none of your business," I stated bitterly.

He gritted his teeth, shooting daggers at me, and pushed the stop button.

"Hey, what're you doing?!"

Joshua grabbed my arm, pulling me towards him. "You're my wife," he stated firmly.

"Unfortunately!" I exclaimed mockingly.

"Celeste!"

"Joshua!" I gave him a dirty look and pulled my hand away. "By the way, how was your night with you girlfriend? Didn't she entertain you enough? You're grumpy this morning." I asked bitterly.

"Celeste!"

"I don't care what you do with your bimbo, but stop bothering me. You've no right to ask for any explanation from me about with whom I spend the night while having fun with that woman," I stated firmly and pushed the button, starting the elevator.

He pushed me back against the wall, sandwiching me between his body and the wall.

"I didn't cheat on you with Becca. And I won't let you  cheat on me too," he stated firmly, looking me in the eyes.

"How?" I asked mockingly and smirked.

"Celeste! Don't provoke me," he warned me with a stern look on his face.

"What would you do?" I asked sarcastically and shook my head.

"Celeste!" Joshua warned me between gritted teeth, closing the distance between us.

"Joshua!" I exclaimed, giving him a dirty look, and tried to push him back, but he didn't move an inch.

"You're mine, Celeste Rosa Marshall Sullivan! Don't forget it," he stated in a dangerously low tone.

"I'm not yours, Joshua Sullivan! Get it into your thick skull!" I declared angrily, clenched my fist.

Joshua gave me a mocking look. Then in a flash, he smashed his lips against my lips, kissing me feverishly.

Damned Joshua and his damned irresistible lips!

Why do I lose my mind every time he kisses and touches me?

This damned seductive warlock!

I couldn't hold myself and moaned as he moved his hand under my dress, caressing my thigh.

Damn you, Celeste!

Don't let him put you on his spell again!

Damn it! But he knows my body very well!

Another moan escaped my mouth when he pushed my panties to the side and shoved his finger into my wet folds while placing kisses on my neck.

"See! Your body isn't as stubborn as you are in admitting that you're mine," he whispered in my ear huskily and bit my neck, making another moan escape my mouth.

When I wanted to give him a piece of my mind, the elevator doors opened, bursting our passionate bubble.

Joshua pulled back instantly with a self-satisfied smirk on his face and adjusted his suit jacket. I gritted my teeth, giving him a dirty look.

"You're mine, Celeste!" he stated firmly and walked out. Then he stopped and turned around. "By the way, I broke up with Becca," he informed me, a smirk playing on his lips, before walking away.

"Idiot!" I mumbled under my breath. "And I don't care if you broke up with your bimbo!" I added, despite the fact that I was happy with this news.

Slightly. Yes just slightly.

And it wasn't related to Joshua. I... I didn't just like that bimbo.

Yes, I wasn't jealous. Absolutely not!

I frowned, unconvinced.

Of course, you're jealous, Celeste!

Don't deny it.

I heaved a loud sigh and adjusted my dress and rushed out of the elevator before the doors started closing.