Chapter 13
Francesca
My wide curls trailed down my back. I smelled lovely and my skin was super soft.
And—I'd listened to Stefan.
I chose something to wear from the bags.
It just happened to be a gorgeous black and beige shelf bra and matching thong.
It.
Was.
Hot.
And I knew Stefan would appreciate it, even though he probably expected me to come downstairs in actual clothes.
I giggled to myself, thinking about what his reaction would be when he saw me. I touched the intricate black lace on my bra. It made my cleavage look amazing.
I gave myself one last twirl in the mirror before I walked downstairs in a pair of black heels. I couldn't very well show up to supper in bare feet.
As soon as I turned into the dining room, I heard Stefan cooking in the kitchen. And then a wonderful, garlicky smell wafted up my nose.
I walked slowly into the kitchen—waiting for him to notice me.
Once his eyes found me, his eyebrows rose. “Holy fuck.”
Yes.
Stefan was surprised.
“Come here, wife.” His hand waved me forward. So, I walked to him. His eyes didn't leave my body the entire time. When I got to him, he grabbed me and said, “You just keep getting more beautiful. How is that possible?”
He kissed my lips while his hands roamed my body. “Oh.” His fingers touched the side of my bra. “You missed a tag. Hold on. I'll get a pair of scissors.” Stefan let me go and walked over to the far end of the kitchen. He pulled a drawer open and rummaged through it.
How could I have missed a tag? I hadn't seen one price tag the whole time I was in the lingerie store. I lifted my arm and fished around for whatever Stefan had found.
Huh.
Sure enough—there was a tiny paper tag.
I looked at it.
And then looked at it again.
That couldn't be right.
I must have missed a decimal.
Again, I looked at it.
“Holy crap,” I breathed out. My eyes reading the five figures—with no decimal.
Anger coursed through me.
Then rage.
And then embarrassment.
“Do you know how much this cost?” I shrieked.
Stefan turned his head toward me. “No. I don't care what it costs. And neither should you.” He went back to rummaging around in the drawer.
“Not care? How can you not care? This bra cost four figures.” I took a breath and repeated. “Four—figures.” I held the tiny price tag between my thumb and my middle finger. “See?”
He shook his head and yanked a pair of scissors out of the drawer.
“I don't give a fuck.” He strode over to me and brushed my hand away.
“I told Antonia to remove these before you tried them on.
She must've missed one. And—” he carefully clipped the string, “of course, the first thing you choose to wear has the price on it.”
He turned around with a huff and set the scissors down on the counter. I watched him head in the direction of the garbage as he said, “You're my wife now, Francesca. You're going to have to get used to seeing price tags like that.”
I let out a high-pitched laugh. “I'm your wife?” His head snapped to me instantly while I continued.
“I'm not your wife. You only married me so Raul wouldn't take me.
I know this is all a sham, Stefan. Everyone knows this isn't permanent.
I don't know why you keep going on and on about how I'm your wife.
When I'm really not.” It felt good to finally get that out. I even felt lighter somehow.
“And that's why you can't be spending four freaking figures on a bra for me!” I touched my bra. “I mean, where am I going to wear this when I get home? Out on a date with the guy who delivers my fast food?”
The look on Stefan's face made me stop rambling. He looked like he was about to explode. And from my experience—that never ended well.
“That's enough,” he said in a surprisingly calm, cool voice. But it was also kind of eerie at the same time. He didn't blink once as he walked up to me and grabbed my hand. “There are consequences for talking to me like that, Francesca. And you're about to learn that.”
I gave him a sarcastic little laugh—but inside I was scared. And maybe more than a little curious. “What are you going to do? Spank me?” I set my free hand on my hip.
Stefan's eyes ran down my body. And I swear it felt as though he were touching me. “That's exactly what I'm going to fucking do.”
Whoa!! Do you think Stefan means what he says?
Go right to book 6—Vows of Pleasure by Jessa York to find out!!