That was the thing about words. They never let me down. There was always a word out there that I could use to explain the way I was feeling. I just had to find it.
We descended low over the Danube before landing at the local airport. As we got closer to the ground, I could even see a funicular climbing a hill toward what looked like a historical landmark. The whole place seemed magical in a way that was similar to, but also different from, Vienna. I loved these old cities, their history and culture. I wanted to immerse myself as much as I could, especially in the language. I was looking forward to meeting our translator and being able to pick their brain about Hungarian—maybe I’d even learn a few more interesting words.
But I was immediately disappointed. Instead of being met at the gate by a tour guide and translator, it was clear that the person meeting us worked for Stefan and had been instructed to speak only to him. I was summarily ignored by everyone, unless I asked a direct question. But even if I did, they looked at Stefan first, waiting for his nod of approval before answering.
Our luggage was loaded into the town car, including the new suitcases purchased in Vienna to store all the clothing I’d bought. Stefan hadn’t said a word about my purchases. Was he so wealthy that it hadn’t even phased him, or was the silent treatment just punishment for that as well as last night’s attempt at flirtation and jealousy?
I thought we’d head to the hotel to drop our things off, but when we got there, instead of going up to our suite, Stefan and I were led to a conference room. I was confused and the moment we were left alone, I turned to Stefan.
“Aren’t we going out?” I asked. “Seeing the city? If you have a meeting, I can go myself.”
“After the stunt you pulled with that French asshole?” he practically sneered at me. “I don’t think so.”
“Well…so when can we go?”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Given your behavior last night, I don’t think you deserve a tour of the city. We’re staying here. I have things to do.”
My mouth dropped open.
“You’re going to exile me to the hotel again?” Frustration was bubbling inside of me.
Another day of hotel shopping and using the spa would probably be some other girl’s dream, but I’d had enough of it the day before. Even though I was feeling tense enough for a massage right now, what I really wanted was to explore. To see the city. To speak the language.
“Let’s drop the charade, shall we?” Stefan crossed his arms as he faced me. “We both know what this is.” He gestured between us. “I tried to be nice, give you a little taste of adventure and romance, but what did I get in return? You throwing yourself at a total stranger. How was that supposed to make me feel?”
I stared.Hefelt like the injured party? How was that even possible? He was the one sleeping with other women on our honeymoon. “How…did you feel?” I asked.
“I didn’t feel anything,” he said gruffly. He was clearly lying.
I shook my head. “It wasn’t what it looked like. I just wanted to see the city, and we were talking about all the sights, and he offered to take me out.”
Stefan’s expression hardened. “He was going to take you somewhere.”
“It doesn’t matter, because I told him I wouldn’t go!”
“I had already showed you the city,” he countered.
“From the inside of a town car?” I shot back. “You know that’s not the same.”
He shrugged. “I’m a busy man. This trip wasn’t just for you. It was for me and my work as well. I thought you understood my priorities when we entered into this agreement.”
He made it sound so cold, and made me sound like a mercenary who just wanted to spend all his time and money. Is that how he truly thought of me? Was this why he was acting the way he was?
I couldn’t help thinking back to our kiss. That first one, the night we became engaged—when we were still virtually strangers. He hadn’t seemed so aloof then. He’d seemed interested. Attracted. Excited by the idea of marrying me. Like it was a pact we were making together, each of us getting something out of it. Was every bit of it a lie?
I could still remember his lips, hot and firm against mine. The way he had held me in his arms. The way he had touched me. I wantedthatStefan. Wanted to know how to get that version of him to come on this honeymoon with me, instead of this cold, distant man.
But I also understood what he was saying. This was his job, the whole reason he had agreed to marry me in the first place. To gain control over his father’s company. To gain control over his life. That’s what I had wanted as well, hadn’t I? Control over my life.
I had thought Stefan and I were on the same page about that. I had thought he could see that we were the same. That we were both ambitious and driven, that I wasn’t some gold digger who just wanted to max out his AmEx and go on extravagant vacations.
But it was clear after what had happened in Vienna that he didn’t trust me. And I didn’t trust him. Even though he was angry at me, that still didn’t explain his mysterious brunette friend and why he had disappeared with her somewhere in the hotel while we were on our honeymoon. It also didn’t explain why he had gotten mad at me for flirting with a stranger.
I was so confused.
“I understand about work,” I said carefully, “but do you really want me to stay in the hotel all day?” My voice sounded small and tired, even to me. “Like in Vienna?”
“I think we both know that leaving you to your own devices is a bad idea,” Stefan said, his arms still crossed.
