Sweet Temptation

Cassio’s fingers brushed my panties, soaked from our argument. He groaned. “What are you doing to me?”

Me? What I was doing?

I pressed harder against him. “Cassio, stop.”

His eyes focused on me and his expression smoothed, becoming guarded and aloof. He straightened, robbing me of his warmth, his touch, his scent. “We need to talk about Elia,” I got out.

Cassio stepped back and brushed out the crinkles in his jacket as if nothing had happened. “There’s nothing to talk about. You let your imagination run free.”

Anger coursed through me. I swung my legs down and pushed to my feet. Since he was more than a head taller, that didn’t really have the effect that I wanted. “Just how stupid do you take me for?”

Cassio raised his brows. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I snorted, remembering Elia’s exact same words.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about Cassio, because the moment I confronted Elia, he called you.”

Cassio’s face remained a mask of stoic calmness, and it infuriated me even more.

“You’re being unreasonable and childish.”

Whenever I tried to talk to him or have him relinquish control, he accused me of being a child. But when he wanted to sleep with me, that fact didn’t cross his mind.

“As your wife, I deserve the truth. I don’t deserve being tricked and spied on. What was the purpose of this charade? Did you think I’d throw myself at the first attractive man who smiled at me?”

Cassio narrowed his eyes. “So, you find him attractive.”

I had enough. I walked up to him and glared up. “Are you serious?”

Cassio didn’t deign me with a reply. He unbuttoned his shirt with infuriating nonchalance.

“Look at me.”

He raised his head, but his eyes were hard. No sign of guilt. Did he think his actions were okay?

“I can’t believe you used Elia as a trap to see if I’d cheat on you. We’re married.”

“Marriage never stopped anyone.”

“Is that so?” I asked curiously, trying to figure out if he was referring to himself.

“I’d never cheat.”

“Oh, so I’m supposed to take your word on it, but you can use my bodyguard to test me? Don’t you realize how wrong that is?”

“I do what’s necessary.”

“Necessary? So, you admit that you ordered Elia to flirt with me to see how I’d react? You should trust me.” Hurt rang in my voice.

“I don’t trust anyone.”

My first impulse was to react with anger, with a snappy comment because this day had been hard and I didn’t have a shoulder to unload on, only a husband who treated me like a child and didn’t trust me. But my anger wouldn’t change anything. It would only lead to more resentment. “I don’t know what happened between Gaia and you. Maybe you worry I’m like her. I don’t know her so I can’t promise you I’m not. What I know is that if you don’t allow yourself to get to know me, you won’t ever trust me, and if you don’t trust me, then this marriage will fail either way.” I swallowed, turning away from his harsh expression. “Maybe you need more time. You obviously don’t want my closeness except for when we have sex. I won’t push you, but I’m not sure I can do this. Not right now. I’ll give you the room you need and move into the bedroom beside Simona’s nursery. That way you’ll have the bed for yourself.”

Giulia walked out of the living room. I was frozen, not because Giulia had caught onto Elia. No, because she wanted to move out of our bedroom. This time it was definitely my fault. I hadn’t fought Gaia when she’d insisted on her own room many years ago. I’d accepted it. I wouldn’t make the same mistake, not only because I feared a repeat performance. I wanted Giulia in my bed, close to me.

I chased her and caught up with her on the staircase. Cupping her elbow, I turned her around to me. She almost lost her balance and had to grab on to my shoulders to steady herself. Her eyes swam with tears. This was at least the third time I made my young wife cry. Marriage wasn’t the place for cruelty. That was what Father had said, and I’d been certain I wasn’t guilty of it. Yet cruelty came in different shapes and forms. Giulia had done nothing to deserve my suspicion, my coldness, and yet she’d been punished for another’s crime.

“I won’t let you move out of our bedroom, Giulia. You’ll stay.”

Giulia searched my face. “Why? You don’t even want to hold me at night.”

Fuck. The look of hurt in her eyes made me long for those whips again. “Stay.” I cupped her cheek. She leaned into the touch. I brushed her cheekbone.

“Why?”

“Because I tell you to.”

She shook her head. “Give me another reason.”

“Because I want you close. Because I liked falling asleep with your strawberry scent at night.”