Chapter 33
Leo
N ora and I have been living together as a married couple for just over a week now, although I can’t imagine most newlyweds living as we are.
When Nora isn’t holed up in her room avoiding me, she likes to walk along the beach.
We’ve talked a little and I’ve done my best to explain things to her, but she always brushes me off.
We might be living under the same roof, but Nora’s more distant from me than ever.
When she used to push me away as Max, at least I always had the mask to fall back on. As her dark, faceless protector, she was helpless to resist the connection between us. But I can’t even get close to her like that now, not without her finding out the truth that she’s not ready to face yet.
Not being able to touch her, to taste her, to talk properly to her is driving me insane.
At night, I toss and turn, the thought of her sleeping peacefully in the next room keeping me awake.
She might be my wife, yet Nora isn’t mine, not totally and completely in the way I need her to be.
I’m trying to be patient, but I don’t know how much more I can bear.
As usual, I rise before dawn. I leave my latest peace offering to Nora outside her door, a racier novel this time to remind her of the fire I had awakened in her.
I’ve tried being nice, I might as well try appealing to her base instincts.
It’s worked for me in the past. When Nora gets out of her head and lets her instincts take over, she can’t deny the attraction she has to me.
After downing my coffee and a protein shake, I go for my morning run along the beach at sunrise before heading into the small home gym that’s set up in the garage.
I work out until my muscles are aching, trying to expel all my pent-up frustration and energy.
By the time I’m finished, I’m dripping with sweat, my wet shirt discarded midway through.
I bump into Nora in the hallway as I go upstairs for a shower.
There’s no sign of the book outside her door, so she must have done some morning reading before getting up.
Based on how her eyes widen ever so slightly with desire at the sight of me, sweaty and shirtless, the book is having the desired effect I’d hoped for.
“Good morning,” I say nonchalantly.
“Morning,” she squeaks, her cheeks flushing.
“I trust you slept well?”
“Yes, thank you. I was going downstairs to make breakfast. I won’t keep you from taking your shower,” she says pointedly, but I don’t move so she can pass. If she wants to go downstairs, she can squeeze past me, nice and close.
“Or you could join me,” I suggest, enjoying the way her eyes darken with desire briefly before she reminds herself that I’m the enemy.
I prowl closer, ever so slowly, like a lion stalking its prey.
“You can be mad at me all you want, you might find it makes it better,” I say, never taking my eyes off her.
For a woman who claims to hate being touched, Nora sure looks as if she’d like it if I took her in my arms and fucked her right here in the corridor. She bites her lip in a way that makes me want to tear off her dress and do just that.
“Leo…” she says, her voice barely more than a whisper.
“You keep doing things like that and I might not be able to control myself any longer,” I growl, moving closer so there’s barely an inch between us.
Her breath hitches and she tilts her head up to meet my gaze, pupils dilating as she wrestles with herself. “I don’t…”
“Oh, but you do,” I say seductively, loving the way she squirms, before pulling away.
I take one last look at Nora’s flushed face, the arousal evident despite her trying to hide it, before I turn and walk into my room, heading for the shower. I leave the doors open behind me, the invitation clear. She’s welcome to join, but I won’t force her.
“You’re always welcome to watch,” I call teasingly over my shoulder.
I take my time, waiting for the shower to heat up before dropping my shorts and stepping inside.
I pretend I don’t hear Nora’s tentative footsteps crossing the threshold into my room as curiosity finally gets the better of her.
I close my eyes, letting the water run over my head before lathering plenty of soap over my chest, carefully and deliberately washing each ab, putting on a show for the woman I love.
I can sense Nora, hovering just out of sight, watching me from the bedroom.
My cock twitches and hardens knowing she’s looking.
I continue to pretend I’m not aware of her presence as I take my shaft in my grip, stroking along the length of it as it grows even larger.
Knowing she’s watching me is spurring me on, but it’s not enough. I need her.
I open my eyes and they meet Nora’s startled gaze.
She panics and flees, leaving me frustrated but unsurprised.
I finish quickly, thinking of what could have happened if Nora had given in to her desire.
I imagine fucking her right here, water cascading down her perky tits, her legs wrapped around my waist as I delve deep inside her.
The sound of my phone ringing forces me to finish quickly. I rinse off and go answer it, still dripping, with a towel wrapped around my waist. The caller ID tells me it’s my uncle.
“Pakhan.”
“Leonid, how is married life suiting you? Is your malformed Irish whore doing her duty?” he taunts, no doubt feeling smug to have gotten one over me. If only he knew the truth, he’d be livid.
“Everything is fine, thank you, Uncle. Though as Nora is now my wife, I’d appreciate you treating her with the respect her position deserves,” I say tersely, trying to hide my rage at the names he called my wife.
“Of course, nephew. I was only teasing. So sensitive. She must be good,” he says, unable to help himself.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of your call? Is there something you need from me for work?” I ask, my voice icily polite.
“I’m throwing a small party this evening and your presence is required—yours and your new bride’s.”
“We’d be delighted,” I lie, knowing that attendance isn’t optional.
“Eight o’clock, at the casino. I’ll see you then,” he says before hanging up.
With a sigh, I get dressed and head downstairs to break the news to Nora.
Her cheeks flush adorably when she notices me enter the kitchen and she quickly looks away, studying her cereal as if it’s the most fascinating thing she’s ever seen.
I’m gladdened by the sight of her eating of her own volition; up until now she’s only eaten the meals I’ve presented to her and insisted she eats.
She doesn’t seem as frail as she was when we first got here—there’s a new fullness to her hollow cheeks and her skin is less pallid.
I’m surprised how much pleasure it gives me to take care of her, to notice these small differences brought on by that attention.
I stand and watch her, leaning against the counter and enjoying the way the sunlight dances through her hair. She really is beautiful.
“Can I help you with something or do you plan on standing there watching me all day?” she asks snippily.
“That’s rich coming from the Peeping Tom,” I tease, enjoying how it makes her squirm.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replies.
Ah, so we’re playing that game. Denial. I watch her for a moment, smiling at her knowingly before I put her out of her misery.
“Actually, I was just coming to tell you about a party we need to attend tonight at my uncle’s casino.”
From the expression on her face, you’d think I just told her we’re going to go kick puppies.
“No thank you,” she replies curtly.
“I’m afraid it’s not optional. Trust me, I don’t want to go as much as you.”
“I doubt that,” she grumbles. “What’s it for? Is it another wedding-related event?”
“He didn’t say, but I imagine it’s some sort of show of power, wealth, and to flaunt our new alliance.”
“What if I refuse to go?” she asks, testing the waters. I try to hide my smile of pride at seeing some of the fearless Nora I know coming back.
“Then I will try not to enjoy dressing you and carrying you into the car later,” I reply mischievously.
I can tell from her expression she’s not sure how serious I am. Undeterred, she tries a new tactic.
“In case you aren’t aware, I’m not exactly the cocktail party and casino’s kind of girl. I don’t have anything suitable to wear. Unless you think my wardrobe of jeans and t-shirts are suitable for your uncle’s party,” she declares triumphantly, believing she’s won.
“That’s why we’re going shopping today. Hurry up, we leave in thirty minutes,” I tell her, tapping my watch and smirking back at her.
“You’re insufferable, you know that?” she grumbles, taking one last bite of her cereal and dumping it into the sink, deliberately not washing it in a final act of defiance that makes me chuckle before she heads upstairs to get ready.
All of a sudden, I find myself looking forward to this evening. I get to spend the whole day with Nora, and I can have her on my arm this evening for our first official outing as husband and wife. What could possibly go wrong?