Chapter Two
The moment the fog lifted from her, Elsie knew exactly what had happened. She also recognized where he’d taken her. This was his private cabin. He had brought her here for their honeymoon. He’d wanted to be close for his brother but have the privacy, and there was no one around for miles.
He always made sure they were fully stocked with food, and there was no reason for them to leave.
Elsie had loved their honeymoon and for days, they had not worn clothes but stayed completely naked.
Sitting up in the bed, she looked down at her hands and feet, and was surprised to not see herself shackled to the bed.
“What did you expect?”
She looked up to find Massimo standing in the doorway, arms folded across his wide chest.
“Chains.”
He smiled. “I can still do that if you like. I know how you like to be pinned down.”
She swung her feet off the side of the bed and gripped the edge. There was no way she was going to react to his teasing. Of course she liked it when he was in control. Who wouldn’t? Massimo was a master and an expert lover, and she had no complaints about their time in the bedroom even on the night he’d taken her virginity. There had been pain but he had made it so slight, there was no point even being upset by it. He’d made it a magical night. He’d been so patient, so loving, so everything.
“I don’t find any of this funny. Now, let me go.”
“No,” Massimo said.
She took a deep breath. “You can’t do this.”
“Actually, as your husband, I can, and I will. Trust me, no one is going to stop me.”
Elsie stared at him and waited, and knew it was pointless. There was no point in calling the cops. Besides, there was no landline at his cabin, and he would be the only person in possession of a phone. Also, there was the fact that the cops were in Massimo’s pocket, and no one was coming to help her.
“So I’m trapped here. I’m your captive. You kidnapped me.”
“You and Romero have the same viewpoint.”
“Your brother was here?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“And he didn’t advise you to stop?”
“He … doesn’t understand our relationship.”
“We don’t have a relationship.” She was about to pass him but he suddenly caught her around the waist, and she started to struggle. It was hard to do because her body was a traitor. She had fallen in love with Massimo so hard and fast, all she wanted to do was cave into him. It was like her body didn’t feel the betrayal.
He was so close and she stared up into his gorgeous blue eyes. His eyes had hypnotized her from the start. They made her think of the ocean. Until she met him, she’d never been to the beach. He’d been the first one to take her there. He promised to take her to many places, even those she didn’t even know about.
“Are you sure about that?” he asked, and then his lips pressed down on hers, and at first she couldn’t bring herself to push him away. She craved his lips, wanted them on her own. He felt so good, and like so many times before, her body sang to his tune.
“He doesn’t want you. You’re a passing fancy, but when I’m pregnant with his child, you will be nothing more than a joke.” Isabella’s cruel words came back to haunt her and she pulled out of his arms. She had no reason to believe he would cheat on her and yet, every reason to believe it. Isabella was a beautiful woman. She could have any man and she set her sights on Massimo. Elsie knew there was no chance of competing with her. She came from nothing. She was nothing.
All her life, she’d been told she was nothing more than a burden. It was only a matter of time before Massimo grew bored with her.
Staring at him, she wanted to slap the smug smile off his face, but she didn’t believe in violence, so she shook her head and then stepped out to the main corridor. She didn’t even bother going for the front door. Knowing Massimo, he would have locked it and he was the only one that had the key.
Instead, she went straight to the kitchen and grabbed a mug out of the cupboard. Unlike his precious mistress and other women, Elsie knew her way around the kitchen. She knew her way around surviving. She didn’t need personal assistants or any of the other crap. She could do this.
Massimo had kidnapped her, but by the end of it, she knew he would grant her a divorce.
She looked toward Massimo, and she was tempted to give him the silent treatment, but instead she held a second mug out. “Do you want one?”
“You’re not going to try and play hard to get?” he asked.
“Although that is tempting, and trust me, it is, I’m not interested in playing games. Do you want a drink?”
“I’d love one, and you know how I like it.”
“Can’t forget.” She added two sugars to his cup, and she had no choice but to grab the luxury espresso.
With her back to him, she couldn’t help but smile as she recalled the first time he tried cheap granulated coffee. He had told her it was like someone had taken a shit in his mouth. Elsie had been shocked, but she had then splurged on better coffee just for him. She couldn’t afford a fancy machine, and she refused to accept one bought by him. Coffee was coffee.
They had so many memories together, and right now she wished she had never created any with him.
****
Elsie never failed to surprise him.
Massimo expected her to freeze him out, but instead she continued to act as if they were friends. He watched as she finished their drinks and then placed his on the counter before him, before blowing across the surface of her own mug and walking to the sitting room.
He knew exactly where she was going—to the window seat overlooking the garden. A fresh layer of snow had fallen, and he knew how much she loved the snow. Winter was her favorite time of year, as she loved wearing sweaters and thick clothing. She hated summer more than anything.
He’d gotten to know her over the months. He listened to her, because what she said mattered to him.
Picking up his coffee, he took a sip, not caring that it was hot. He couldn’t stand iced coffee. To him, there was no point in even having a cup. Coffee was meant to be hot, not freaking iced.
As always, Elsie made him amazing coffee. She didn’t even need fancy equipment. She always liked to show him she could do anything a pricey bit of equipment could do.
He had no doubt about her skills. She’d always been adept at surviving. He hated that she had grown up in a life where she had no choice but to survive, which was strange. He’d grown up willing to fight for his survival.
“Do you think it will snow again?” Elsie asked.
“Yes. It is forecast.”
“Christmas is around the corner,” she said.
“Yeah, I’ve already gotten your present.”
“You don’t need to get me anything.”
Massimo wasn’t offended. Once she learned of his wealth, it made her uncomfortable. She hated having to deal with the term “gold digger.” She didn’t care about his money. He knew that. His present to her was something he knew she was going to love, something she had always wanted.
They’d been making love underneath the stars at this very cabin on their honeymoon, and she had told him she always wanted to have a home to call her own, something no one could take from her. After talking with his lawyer, this cabin now belonged to Elsie. She had a home that under no circumstances could be taken back.
He knew there was not a lot he could get Elsie. She wanted a family, but only time would grant him the ability to give her that. He’d been trying. He’d never worn condoms with her. Not that he wanted to spoil their fun by adding children to the mix.
He wanted time alone with her, but having children was another way of cementing her life to his. He didn’t want to give her a chance to leave him. This life wasn’t for everyone, and he wanted Elsie, no, he fucking needed her. She made him want to be a better man.
Knowing Elsie was waiting at home for him, he worked fucking hard to get back to her. There was no one else he wanted. He loved Elsie more than anything in the world.
“I know, but you see, I know you, and I know there will be several presents waiting for me under the tree,” Massimo said, making his way over to her and taking a seat opposite.
Elsie continued to stare outside, but he saw the tears glistening in her eyes. She tried to fight them.
“Look at me,” he said.
“We’re fooling ourselves, Massimo. There is no way this can work.”
“I don’t see why not. We’ve been working well.”
“You and Isabella—”
“Is never going to happen,” Massimo said. “I do not love her. I have never loved her. While her father would enjoy a union between our two families, I don’t. I told him that. I do not want Isabella.”
Elsie snorted. “I find that hard to believe.”
“She is an evil bitch, Elsie.”
“But she’s beautiful.”
“And you consider me that shallow?”
“I’m told so often that you guys would have been a power couple. It was what so many people wanted. They would talk about how amazing you are, and how you’d have the most beautiful children.”
“And yet, I married you and consider you the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on,” he said.
He’d never been this honest with a woman. Elsie was different.
She shook her head. “You don’t need to lie. I have brown hair and brown eyes. I’m dull and I’m … fat.”
“Stop,” Massimo said.
He put his coffee mug down on the floor, out of reach of being kicked or tumbling over. Taking Elsie’s mug from her, he placed it on the floor.
Reaching out, he tucked some of her hair behind her ear. Her brown hair wasn’t dull, it was glossy and full of life and bounce. Her eyes were so intense, like she was taking in every detail, not wanting to miss a moment. Those lips of hers were plump, inviting, and he knew felt incredible wrapped around his dick.
Her curves drove him crazy. Her full tits, thick juicy thighs, rounded stomach. Elsie was all woman in every way. He didn’t give a shit if she had dimples or cellulite, but he did care about her trying to hide in the dark from him. When he drove balls-deep inside her, he wanted to look into her eyes so she knew who was making love to her.
He was addicted to her.
He hungered for her.
Elsie was everything to him.
“You’re everything to me, Elsie.”
And one day, he was going to make Isabella pay for driving a wedge between him and his wife.
He had never cheated and he never would.