30. Margot
Chapter 30
Margot
A light breeze skims over the backs of my bare thighs, shoving me back into reality. Did that really just happen? I honestly thought Massimo had brought me here to put a bullet in me, but instead, he claimed me, and I liked it.
How can he make me so angry, or scared and then aroused? Life with him is like a roller coaster, there are so many ups and downs, but I keep coming back for more. I keep seeking out that thrill.
The scent of pine and raw earth mixes with the musky tang of sex, the damp spring air a stark contrast to the heat of what we just did. Our combined release spills from me, dripping onto the forest floor when Massimo pulls out, leaving me empty. I still feel him on my skin, like a phantom imprint of his touch, and yet, I crave more.
The noise of his zipper gliding up breaks the stillness, somehow reverberating through the trees. Standing, I fix my dress, biting my lower lip at the delicious ache between my legs. I’ve never felt this way before. Even though he can piss me off, I have a fierce desire for my husband, to feel him on me, and inside of me.
It’s so different to how it was with Ethan .
I swallow, waiting for the guilt to drown me, but it doesn’t come, and the memories of him are starting to feel distant, like what we shared was a lifetime ago.
Massimo reaches for me, straightening the neckline of my dress and drawing my focus back to him. His knuckles graze my collarbone, sending a tremor of need through my body. I’ve just had him, and yet I want him again.
My eyes search his, looking for… something. Maybe a sign that he’s as confused as I am by what’s going on between us.
Reaching out, I rest my hand on his chest. “I should have talked to you about how I was feeling.”
He brushes a stray lock of my hair back, tucking it behind my ear. “You should have.”
Of course that’s his response . Why wouldn’t it be? God forbid he actually admitted that what he did was wrong. Rolling my eyes, I step back, but he wraps an arm around my waist and holds me close.
“You shouldn’t have interfered in my life.” I huff.
He tips his head back, scanning the thick canopy of trees overhead before returning his focus to me.
It’s dark, and I can’t read his expression, but I press on. “For as long as we’re married, I will be faithful, Massimo. But I have known Ethan for most of my life. You can’t expect me to?—”
He raises a brow and lifts my left hand, letting his thumb glide over the backs of my wedding bands. The possessiveness of the action quickens my pulse, and I lower my lashes to hide my excitement from him.
“It appears that I need to clarify a few things. One : ’Til death do us part is exactly how this marriage will end. Two : I can, and I will, expect you to cut off anyone who has romantic feelings for you. That is non-negotiable. Three : If Ethan truly wanted you, he wouldn’t have sat there silently, watching as you vowed yourself to me .”
He’s impossible . “You’re impossible,” I huff. “This isn’t the 1800s; you can’t dictate my life for me.”
Massimo’s hold on me tightens, then eases slightly. “You might not see it now, but everything I do is to protect you, Margot. As your husband, that is my job but you make it increasingly difficult when you fight with me over every decision I make.”
I shove at his chest, but he doesn’t budge, fueling my irritation. “Because you make decisions for me rather than with me ,” I snap, before forcing myself to control my tone. “That’s all I want. For my husband to include me in the decision-making process about things that could impact me, or our marriage. Like an equal, like he views me as his partner instead of his subordinate.”
Massimo exhales heavily, as if my request is an annoyance and something he would never consider doing. Then he lets me go. The weight of disappointment slams into me and I step around him, shaking my head. I want to go home.
I barely take three steps back toward the car before he catches my hand, threading his fingers with mine and halting me. With my back to him, I wait for him to say something, my eyes trained on the shadows ahead even as my heart thuds a chaotic beat.
His voice is low, a note of reluctance in his tone when he says, “Where I can, I will discuss things with you first. But that’s not always going to be possible so you can’t lose your shit or act out every time you think I should have told you something.”
I guess that’s better than nothing .
The start of our marriage has been mentally draining and I’m tired of constantly having to be on my guard. Inhaling, I turn to face him, forcing him to release my hand. It’s not exactly what I want, especially as he can use it as an excuse whenever it suits him, but what choice do I have? It’s either this or we carry on as we have been, butting heads until one of us ‘wins’.
Stepping forward, I hold my hand out between us, biting down on my bottom lip when Massimo slides his warm and slightly calloused palm into mine. “Deal. No more fighting.” I flutter my lashes before lightly adding, “For now, anyway.”
He scoffs, giving my arm a playful yank that brings me flush against his chest. My free hand rests between us over the steady beat of his heart.
Massimo dips his head, and my eyes shut of their own accord. “With my wife,” he murmurs, his voice thick with desire and stirring a heat in my core, “I seal deals with a kiss, not a handshake.”
His mouth claims mine in a searing kiss. It steals the breath from my lungs and my knees buckle beneath me. But Massimo is there to catch me, tightening his hold and devouring my mouth with a hunger that matches my own.
Gasping, I lean back, gazing into his darkened gaze. “If we aren’t fighting anymore, does that mean we have to have boring sex in a bed?”
He slides his hand down my back and over my ass, grabbing at the flesh. His mouth stretches into a wide, wolfish grin against my mouth. “Not a fucking chance.”
Thank fuck .