“That Nero Barretti is the king of the world?” I quip sarcastically.
He grins. “Sounds good to me. Have everything ready. A week from today.”
“No chance,” I snort. “That’s not enough time. The best caterers are booked months in advance. Event planners, rentals…”
“Make it work.” He cuts me off, rising to his feet. “Money talks, and I don’t care what it costs. I want the world to see that they can’t fucking underestimate me anymore. It’s a whole new ballgame. Take care of it.”
I scowl at his tone. “ “Just because you’re my husband, that doesn’t mean you’re the boss of me.””
Something flashes in Nero’s eyes. He prowls forward until he’s standing right in front of me. “Interesting,” he muses, just looking like he’s going to hoist me up on the counter and fuck me senseless.
Like I want him to.
“I thought you love it when I tell you what the fuck to do,” Nero continues, darkly sexual. “Like when I ordered you to get on your knees and suck my cock. You couldn’t get down there fast enough, you were so wet to open wide and take every inch.”
Desire locks in my lower belly and spreads like wildfire at the memory. Fuck.
He gives a laugh, and it’s clear that my body’s response is written all over me.
“Yeah, thought so, Princess,” his eyes flash with knowing. “Been keeping those fingers busy at night, rubbing that clit raw remembering how good I give it to you?”
“You?” I manage to retort. “No, you’re not the one on my mind. In fact, in the list of my past lovers, you barely even rank.”
I turn on my heel and stalk out, his laughter echoing after me at my blatant lie.
I’m furious—at myself. I don’t want to be turned on by those words. I don’t want to think about the way he dominates me in bed and just how good it feels. So, I push my treacherous desires aside and grab on to the nearest distraction full throttle.
If he wants a party, I’ll give him a goddamn party.
For the next few days,I’m the living embodiment of the phrase shop ‘til you drop.
It strangely gives me some perspective about my situation. Yeah, I’m stuck in a loveless marriage with a man who wants me dead, but I’m still breathing, aren’t I? Not just breathing, either, but living in the lap of luxury, doing whatever I want with my time.
And the most important thing is that Teddy is safe. Nero might have blown me off when I pushed him to recommit to our deal, but he hasn’t said otherwise, either. I believe that he’s going to leave my brother alone. I gave Teddy my real phone number so that we can keep in touch properly. No more sneaking around with burner phones.
It buzzes again as I browse for table settings.
‘Study buddies,’ the text says, with a picture of his roommates all passed out over their books.
I smile. He’s been sending me regular updates and pictures of his life at college in Indiana. He has friends, classes—and no idea what’s going on with me.
That’s the way I want it. It makes everything worthwhile.
I text back a quick thumbs up.
“Mrs. Barretti?”
It takes me a second to realize the sales associate is talking to me. I’m still not used to the name.
“Yes, hi, sorry.” I tuck my phone away.
“The event planner suggested a couple of options, if you’d like to pick.”
“Thank you.” I follow her to the display. Nero was right, despite being super-last-minute, his cash said all it needed to say. I was able to poach the best event planner in town (courtesy of Marissa’s recommendation) and have them put together an incredible party in no time. Now, I’m just confirming a few details for the big event.
“We have plain, or a more deco style,” the clerk says, pointing out the options.
“Hmmm…” I couldn’t care less about the party but obsessing over the details has distracted me from the chaos that is my life. “Do you have anything in the crystal?”