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Despite her attempts to appear strong, I knew that she was still probably afraid of me after what I’d done to her in the garage block. “I just want us to spend time together.”
“Doing what?” she asked warily.
“We can just sleep in the same bed—you know, like before.”
“You only want to sleep…and nothing else?”
“Yes, for now. Come on, let’s go to bed.”
I could tell she wasn’t sure if she believed me. “Sleep andnothing else?” she repeated.
“Sleep and nothing else.” I ran my hand through my hair. This wasn’t how I’d expected my wedding night to go. “Come on, get in,” I said gruffly as I turned the comforter down. Her struggles had turned me on, but I wouldn’t go back on my word to her.
As she got in, I undressed down to my boxer briefs, neatly folding my clothes and placing them on top of the dresser next to a pile of sketches which I assumed Cate had drawn.
“Look, I’m grateful you saved me from the Bratva. Please just go now and you can have the marriage annulled. You’ve made your point. Everyone knows now that my family is at the mercy of the Marchianos after what my father did.”
I sharpened my dark gaze on her. “You know it’s not just about that. We both know you were attracted to me when you stayed at the mansion. And I’m attracted to you. So why deny it? Why deny yourself something that could be good and give you pleasure?”
When she didn’t respond, I said in a low voice, “Let me give you pleasure.”
“No, we’re not doing that.”
It was hard holding back. But she was my wife now, and I would give her time.
“Fine, let’s just go to sleep.” I got under the covers, and she turned away from me.
I bit back my frustration—Christ, what fresh torment was this? I wasn’t used to women denying me and I had never thought I would be in this position with my bride.
I told myself that I needed to be patient with her. She didn’t trust me after what had happened. I had tried to emotionally manipulate her to get information out of her, and then I had hurt her in the garage.
I didn’t touch her that night. As I waited for her to fall asleep, I gazed around her bedroom, trying to learn more about her. I noticed quite a few of her belongings, clothes, and sketches lying around—obviously tidiness wasn’t her strong point. Also on the wall was a framed drawing of a woman who had some of the same features as Cate, and I guessed it was her mom.
Cate took a long time to fall asleep and once she had, I allowed myself to pull her into my arms and sink into sleep myself.
CHAPTER 16
CATE
The next morning, as soon as I was awake, I sensed that Alessio was no longer there.
I thought about calling the police, but I didn’t. Alessio was right—I couldn’t bring trouble to the doorstep of my family. Apart from my uncle, I had other uncles and cousins in the Fratellanza, and I couldn’t let the police start sniffing around them.
When I saw Alessio later, I would have to try another avenue or appeal to his better nature, that is, if he had one.
He could have any woman he wanted. He was a Made Man, and he wouldn’t want to be stuck with just one woman.
After showering, I wrapped my white robe around myself and headed for the kitchen. As I poured some cereal into a bowl for my breakfast, I grabbed my cell phone to call Nonna.
It was dead. Even though I’d come back to my apartment yesterday to get my charger, what with one thing and another, I never actually got around to plugging my phone in. So instead, I picked up the landline and dialed the number of my father’s house.
After the first ring, Nonna picked up the phone. I always called her every morning at breakfast time. I imagined she was particularly keen for my call today to hear how things were going after the wedding yesterday.
“Cate, darling, are you okay?”
“Hi Nonna. Yes, I’m fine. How are you?”
“I’m good. Where are you calling from?” I could hear the puzzlement in her voice. “Isn’t this the phone number from your apartment? Why are you calling from there?”
