Chapter 45
GIANNA
I made it to my room unseen by any of the guards, or my mom, who was sitting in the dark on the terrace, looking out over the ocean, seemingly lost in a dream.
I was lost in a dream too. The one of last night. I kept the golden dress on and just lay down on my bed, watching shadows play across the ceiling. Light soon started to creep in, dissipating the shadows, as I relived every moment of the magical connection we forged last night.
Every touch, every kiss, every lick, and every thrust of his cock into my pussy came back to me with the vivid clarity of reliving it all over again.
My whole body tingled and if I’d touched myself, the orgasm those memories would bring would be just as powerful and wild as the ones he gave me last night.
But I didn’t touch myself. Because I will save that for him. For tonight. And every night from now on, if I have anything to say about it. I’m sure he won’t argue.
When I heard my sisters start moving around, my first impulse was to find them and tell them everything. But this is another secret I better keep to myself for a little longer.
Dad arrived just after eight AM, bringing with him all his bodyguards.
Then he took us all to church, a lovely old building atop a hill overlooking the ocean.
He also said we must stay for confession afterwards, which did fill me with the kind of dread I haven’t felt since I was a little girl and did something bad.
Because what I did last night with Matteo was bad…
in the eyes of the church and my family.
Very bad. Unforgivable even. I was supposed to stay a virgin until my wedding day.
I was supposed to marry the man my father chose for me.
I was supposed to be the obedient wife and daughter. And I went against all that last night.
But then I realized that in the eyes of God, what we did last night could not possibly be bad. He wouldn’t put this man in front of me if he didn’t want me to have him. He wouldn’t make pleasure like I felt last night exist if he didn’t want me to feel it.
No. I think he put Matteo in my path to break the curse. The Devil’s curse that made me unmarriable, that had killed every fiancé I’ve ever had.
There’s no need to confess any of it, because God already knows and is content.
He’s looking down on me now, smiling as the sun streams in through the gorgeous stained-glass windows.
The white walls of the church are awash in bright colors, and I don’t think this church has ever looked this beautiful.
I love this church. It’s where I always dreamed I’d be married in one day. And that day is coming fast now.
We stand for the last prayer, and in my mind, I’m offering it to the Virgin Mary, imploring her to let my dream of a beautiful wedding to the man I love right here in this church become reality. Soon.
“OK, now it’s confession time,” Dad announces, bringing me back to the present, which is light years from where my dreams had taken me.
But I think the Virgin Mary heard me. I think she’s on my side.
“And then we could take out the boat, what do you think?” Dad adds, beaming at the four of us.
Chiara is smiling widely and nodding as she tells him it’s a great idea. But she and Dad are the only ones who love the boat. I’m pretty sure Mom hates it, and Lidia’s cheeks are already draining of color the way they always do when we’re on the boat.
“We could have lunch there,” Dad insists and Mom nods.
“It’s a good idea,” she says and Lidia mutters something, which Dad takes as a yes.
“It’s settled then,” he says. “Now let’s us go clear our souls.”
We follow him to the confessionals. And I’m no longer dreading confession. Because afterwards, when the priest tells me how many Hail Mary prayers I must say to atone for my sins, I’ll have the chance to address the Virgin again.
As for what happened last night… that’s between me, Matteo, and God. And that’s where it will stay. No one else needs to know, because it concerns no one else.