Chapter 20
In the next few minutes, they lay side by side in the bedroom. Emily’s shifting was the only thing heard. The bed was wide, but not wide enough to erase the awareness of each other’s presence. She could feel the heat of him, just inches away, and hear every breath he took.
Neither of them spoke.
The tension hung in the air. She’d turned her back to avoid glancing over, but her mind was still drawn to him. Maybe it was delusion plus knowing Nicolas had had a crush on her, but she swore his restraint was palpable. It was in the way he held himself still, as if any movement might betray him.
As if to prove her wrong, Nicolas shifted, the mattress dipping beneath his weight. She felt it. She felt him. Yet, neither of them moved closer. The cushions were a good idea now that she thought about it because if not for them, her hands would have already strayed because of his scent.
When she finally spoke, her voice was barely a whisper. “Thank you for agreeing.”
“Don’t thank me just yet.”
She smiled into the darkness. “I didn’t know you could be so…adorable.”
He moved again. “Please don’t call me that.”
“Why not?”
“No man wants his wife to call him adorable.”
Jolts raced through her body as she released a collected breath. He was right, she was his wife.
“And what does my husband want me to call him?”
His hand grasped the top of a cushion, pushing it down and revealing his dark eyes. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” Emily asked innocently.
Her confidence was sparked again by that poster. He was looking at her like he knew it too. The game between them had changed, the dynamics rewritten.
Something that looked a lot like:
Emily – 1. Nicolas – 0.
She barely had time to react before Nicolas moved.
He maneuvered over the cushions and straddled her, pinning both wrists above her head against the mattress. His body hovered over hers, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him.
Still, his chest didn’t touch hers.
But his eyes were the darkest she’d ever seen them.
“You don’t know the game you’re playing, Emily,” he warned. “If you’re serious about keeping that unwritten clause then you should shut that pretty little mouth of yours before it’s put to good use.”
Her breath caught and she licked her lips nervously.
His gaze flickered down.
She felt his sharp intake across her lips.
Her eyelids fought between fully closing and staying open. Seeing him versus feeling him was a hard choice. Just as she decided the latter was better, his head dipped closer.
With her eyes closed, she could feel him, really feel him. The weight of his body, the heat of his skin, the ragged pants that came from him as if he was barely holding himself together. She knew that was the case for her.
One more move and their lips would press together.
What would kissing Nicolas feel like? Would it be as electric as every time they’d touched in other ways? Would he be gentle or rough, taking whatever he desired?
Her body grew taut with anticipation.
Then, suddenly, he rolled off her and back to his side, the mattress dipping beneath them.
Her eyes flew back open, a shaky exhale leaving her.
Emily stared at the ceiling, her wrists tingling from where he’d held them. Her mouth wanted to say something, but nothing came. A million different emotions ran through her, but none made a coherent enough form to push forth.
Her body sank back into the bed defeatedly, tears pricking the corner of her eyes. She swallowed harshly, feeling a heavy sense of disappointment like never before.
The silence engulfed them once again.
The last thing she saw before falling asleep was the new scoreboard:
Emily – 1. Nicolas – 2.
Anna was reluctant for Emily to go.
“Can’t you extend your stay? I promise what we’ve shown you of Milan doesn’t even begin to cover it.”
The day out with her and Alessandra had been ridiculously fun. They’d browsed boutiques and had tea instead of espresso, as they respected Emily’s preference, at a sun-lit café. They’d also laughed their way through a cooking session when they’d returned home.
It was the kind of day that made Emily forget everything else. She’d ignored the comments online, the buzzing of updates from Talia about the scandal at the gala event, even her revenge plan.
For once, she could’ve just been Emily without any expectations.
She loved it.
“Anna, don’t pressure Emily. She has her own duties to return to. You also have school.”
She pouted. “This is why I told you Nicolas should’ve been a girl! I want an older sister.”
Emily chuckled. “If you’re willing, I’d be more than happy to take on that role.”
Anna’s eyes sparkled. “Of course! I’d love that!”
While Emily knew the comment was risky, given that their marriage was fake, she didn’t regret saying it.
Nicolas returned from outside where he’d had their suitcases packed in the trunk of a car. “Are you ready?”
She nodded, but part of her disagreed. The time spent with his family was like a holiday she never wanted to end.
Nicolas turned and gave his mother a kiss on the cheek. Then he gave a very reluctant Anna a hug. He ruffled her hair. “We’ll be back soon.”
Emily’s eyes flitted up to him.
It seemed she wasn’t the only one making promises.
“Bye, Emily,” Alessandra said. “I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.”
She looked to Nicolas who explained, “I visit every time.”
Her lips fought a smile knowing that wasn’t far away. “Yeah, see you in the New Year.”
Once they were inside the car and off to the airport to meet the private jet, Nicolas looked at her. “I’d apologize for my father not seeing you off, but I think it’s for the best.”
She nodded mutely.
His hand reached for her chin, forcing her to face him. “Are you okay?”
Her eyes stung at the question. “I’m fine.” He didn’t seem to buy it, not hiding his unimpressed look. “I’m just thinking about my family, that’s all.”
From the way his expression softened, she knew he was aware of their fall out. “Do you want to talk about it?” he asked hesitantly.
She gave a forced smile before turning to face the window. “Maybe some other time.”