Chapter 8 - Darya
After the tour of my new home, I have to admit that I am feeling a lot better. Stefano has given in and let me have my own room without making a big scene about it like he did the first time I asked. It was unexpected, and I appreciate it. I guess at the same time it annoys the hell out of me, too, because I know the only reason he has done it is because I am a virgin and he is no longer interested in me in that way. I bite my lower lip. My own husband isn’t even interested in having sex with me anymore. After that wild look I saw in his eyes on our wedding night, I want to feel that sexy again.
But whatever, it doesn’t even matter. I knew from the beginning our marriage was fake, just for show, and that we would be leading separate lives. I guess that is what is going to happen, after all. It doesn’t matter that I was one hundred percent ready to sleep with him. Fuck . He is so sexy. It really bothers me that I am so attracted to him. Especially since I know what he can do to me, and how he is able to make me feel.
Dammit .
Even just his kiss was enough to drive me wild, never mind the other things he did with his tongue.
I walk around my new room for a little while, trying to make myself accept that this is my home now. But I very quickly realize that I am too on edge to just hang around here doing nothing at all.
I have to get out for a bit and clear my head.
My favorite way to do that is to go shopping. It is relaxing to just wander around and not have to worry about anything or anyone.
Without another thought I grab my handbag and go off to find the driver.
I just need to remember what his name was. Damn. I met so many of the house staff this morning, I had around twenty different names thrown at me. I am very respectful of the people who work in my home, and I would hate to have any of them thinking badly of me on the first day.
Was it Mika, Michael, Mikael—
Walking into the living room area, I hurry over to the one person who I definitely remember, because his name is the same as my brother's. “Max, sorry, I forgot the drivers name—"
“Mikael. Would you like me to call him for you, Ms. Napoli?”
Ms. Napoli. What—oh, right. That is me.
“Yes, please. Thanks so much.”
I wait around at the front door for Mikael to bring the car around.
I’m actually excited to go roaming around a little on my own. I needed this more than I thought I did.
I guess with the past week being complete chaos—wedding planning, everything leading up to the wedding, and then everything that has happened since the wedding—I haven’t really had a moment to clear my head.
Mikael holds the door open for me, smiling politely, and I climb into the back.
“Where would you like to go, Ms. Napoli?”
“Please, call me Darya. The mall. Thanks.”
“Alright, Darya.”
I am not used to being called Ms. Napoli yet. I don’t know if I ever will be.
The car pulls away from the house.
I jump in fright as the door is pulled open and Stefano leaps into the back seat next to me. What the hell is he doing?
“What are you doing?” I ask with tension in my voice.
“What are you doing?” he demands, his amber eyes piercing into me.
“I’m going shopping.” I scrunch my eyes in frustration. Why in the world is he in this car right now?
“You are not going shopping.”
I snort an indignant laugh.
“Actually, I am going shopping. You can get out of the car,” I snap back at him.
“Why the hell would you be going shopping by yourself?”
“Because that is how I usually go shopping, unless one of my girlfriends feels like joining me, but I don’t see what the issue is right now?”
“It’s dangerous. You are being stupid.”
“Stupid? For going shopping. Something so normal and something I have done hundreds of times?” I am so confused and so annoyed right now. Does he have to make everything this complicated? I shift further away from him in the back seat and pull my mouth tight.
“After someone tried to shoot us last night, you're just going to head out to the mall on your own? Do you have any idea what might happen to you? And you didn’t even bother letting me know you were leaving the house.” He is furious. I am stunned to realize just how angry he actually is. I mean, I suppose I could have at least let him know I was leaving, but I am not used to being in a relationship, and I really didn’t think he cared.
“What is the problem, Stefano? I have been shopping quite safely all my life without your help."
“I am coming with you,” he says, folding his massive arms across his broad chest.
I roll my eyes.
I want to slap him in the face right now. I have never, ever been a person who thinks about violence, but this man seems to just bring out a primal rage in me.
He gave up the chance to have sex with me, but now he is apparently consumed with worry about me going shopping on my own. I don’t understand.
“Just get out of the car. You will be bored going shopping with me.”
“I’m coming with you, Darya.”
“You are too paranoid, Stefano,” I mutter angrily.
He just stares blankly at me, not budging. The veins on his forearms are visible because he has his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows. I run my eyes over them, distracted, then quickly look away, not wanting him to notice that I was looking.
“Fine, you know what, I don’t care. Let’s just get going.”
The driver starts driving again, and I decide not to sulk about this weird situation. I won’t have the alone time I needed to clear my head, but I can still have fun with this.
He is going to regret coming with me. I will make sure he does. I am going to go into the most girly shops and take my time with everything.
***
At the mall, I go all out.
Every single shop that catches my eye has me running into it.
I purposefully try on the most beautiful dresses—tight fitting, short and sexy—and parade around in front of Stefano in them, pretending to be looking in the mirror deciding if I want them or not, but actually watching his expression.
I will make sure that not only does he have to suffer through hours of shopping, but he is also going to have a very clear view of what he gave up on having—me—and how good I think I look in these dresses.
Stefano stays calm the entire shopping spree. He doesn’t complain once and he patiently lets me browse shop after shop. He watches me, but I don’t see any annoyance or much of a reaction at all to my attempts at provoking him.
Oddly, I am having a blast, though.
I didn’t realize that just having the company today would make it more fun.
I am just about done with the shopping, feeling completely exhausted, when I spot a lingerie shop. In the window is a white bridal lace set, and it makes me think about how I regretted not having lingerie on underneath my wedding dress.
Well, I might not need the bridal set anymore, but I can definitely taunt Stefano by choosing something else. He might not want to have sex with me, but I can still show him what he is missing out on.
I walk straight towards the lingerie shop and through the doors with a sly grin on my face and a skip in my step. This is going to be fun.
Stefano walks casually behind me, seemingly unfazed about being surrounded by ridiculously sexy lingerie. His cool and calm demeanor is spoiling my fun. I wanted to see him sweat a little, perhaps a glint of that animalistic lust I saw in his eyes when he watched me strip.
I wander through the shop trying to find the most erotic and sexy piece I can.
I spot it.
Black, sheer, tight, edged with lace, suspenders, and a perfectly placed slit that runs all the way from the front to the back of the transparent panties.
I pick it up and hold it against my body. His eyes darken ever so slightly, but otherwise there is no reaction.
Dammit.
Well, I’m getting it.
Even if he isn’t interested in me, I have a newfound interest in feeling sexy.
The lady at the cashier's desk places the delicate set in a white box folded between tissue paper. I pay her and turn to Stefano.
“I’m done.”
“You don’t have anything else you wanted to look at?”
His response surprises me. I thought he would be relieved to be leaving the mall.
I am exhausted to my bones, though, and my feet are starting to hurt.
“No, I’m ready to go home now.”
Stefano takes my lingerie shopping bag from my hands to carry with the others he is already holding and tilts his head towards the door.
As we walk out of the shop, his hand drifts to my lower back, spreading heat through my body. I sigh softly. It sucks that he can drive me wild with one touch, but even when I dance around in sexy outfits, he doesn’t react to me.
The driver meets us at the front of the mall, and after putting all of my shopping in the trunk of the car, Stefano slides in next to me.
He closes the door, and the driver starts heading towards our home.
I turn towards Stefano.
“I thought you were going to complain the entire—"
His lips crash into mine as he grabs me around my waist and pushes my back against the seat. His hand is wrapped around my jaw, holding me in place as his mouth moves against mine with urgency.
He pushes my legs open with his hips and presses his rock-hard cock up against me, grinding back and forth, wrapping his arm around my back to control my body.
The instant heat and fierce passion that floods me tells me that I was wrong when I thought I could control myself when it comes to him. I want him. Right now.
I wrap my legs around his waist as he grinds up against me, and deep growl rumbles from his chest.
Stefano’s hand slides beneath my t-shirt and cups my breast, pulling my lacy bra down so that his fingers can run across the naked skin of my nipples. I arch my back towards him and gasp.
His massive cock is pressed between my legs, and I want nothing more than to feel him pushing into me. All this time, I thought he was bored watching me parade around in those little dresses and browse the lingerie store, but now I see he had his eyes very focused on me the entire time.
Stefano moves off me, and I feel disappointed that he has managed to stop, but then he sits back in his seat and lifts me into his lap so that I am straddling him.
He thrusts upwards to push his cock against me, and I lock my thighs around him, wanting to feel every movement he makes.
His kiss is like fire on my lips, and I love the way he tastes. His scent swarms around me and intoxicates me in ways I didn’t know were possible.
But all too soon we arrive back at the mansion, and Stefano clears his throat loudly, trying to compose himself as the driver stops the car, parking in front of the doors.
He pulls his own door open before leaning in and taking my hand.
“Mikael, please bring her shopping bags into the house,” he says to the driver as he pulls me out of the car.
Then, without warning, he lifts me into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist, and kisses me as we walk into the house.
I know he is taking me straight to the bedroom, and I know it is exactly what I want.
He carries me to his own bed and throws me onto it just as his phone starts ringing.
“I’ll put it on silent,” he says, pulling it out of his pocket.
But then, glancing down at the phone screen, his shoulders drop a little.
“Sorry, I wish I didn’t have to, but I need to answer this.”
Disappointment sinks into me.
I nod.
“I won’t be long. Don’t go anywhere,” he commands.
He walks out of the room as he swipes across the screen to answer the call.