AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So—” I start to say as he leans in and tries to kiss me again. I sit back before he can touch me. “Woah. What are you doing?”
“It’s all right, dear. We’re almost married. We can sneak a kiss.” He tries again, and this time, I stand up.
“Stop. I’m not kissing you.” Ever, I want to say. “We’re not married yet.”
He stands up and starts stalking toward me. I try to stay away from him, but when my back hits the fireplace, I know I’m stuck. Salvatore knows it, too.
With a smug smile, he descends on me.
His hands touch my waist while his lips start to come close to my face. I can’t breathe. I can’t do this. I can’t do this. God, please help me.
“What are you doing?” Theo. God answered my prayer.
Salvatore immediately pulls back. “What are you doing? You’re supposed to be in the kitchen helping Giulia.”
“She didn’t need my help and told me to come back in here.” Theo walks up to Salvatore, towering over him. “Is there a problem here?”
“Of course there’s no problem.” He slicks back his hair. Well, the little bit of hair he has left.
“Good.” Theo remains standing there, staring Salvatore down.
“I think you should leave,” I say.
Salvatore smiles. “Yes, I think you should,” he says to Theo.
I look directly at Salvatore. “I was talking to you.”
Salvatore looks shocked as he turns to me. “But …”
“Leave,” Theo growls. “Cecilia asked you to. I’ll walk you out.” Theo grabs Salvatore’s arm and practically drags him from the house.
I stay where I am, feeling a mixture of relief and fear and confusion.
“Are you okay?” Theo asks as he returns.
“Oh. So, you are talking to me,” I snap, unable to help myself.
A flash of guilt crosses his face. “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine, Theo. What else would I be?”You don’t love me, I want to say to him.I’m nothing more to you than a job.Oh, andthe man who almost just assaulted me is the man I’m supposed to marry in a few weeks. I’m the complete opposite of fine.
Of course, there’s no way I’m telling Theo any of this. He’ll just shut down like he always does.
“I’m sorry I was cold to you,” he says. “But you and your family are my responsibility. Nothing more.”
“I heard you. Loud and clear.” I walk away before he can say anything else, even though all I want is for him to give me a reason to stay.
An hour later,Antonio bursts into my room. I sit up in bed, shocked at the sight of him.
“Cecilia,” he barks, “what did you do?”
“What did I do? I have no idea.” I stand up, crossing my arms. I’m not about to remain sitting down while Antonio berates me.
“You. Salvatore. He told me what happened. How you were incredibly rude to him today.”
I scoff. “I wasn’t rude to him. He tried to touch?—”
“He will be your husband!” Antonio shouts. “I don’t care. Just be nice to him. I need him as an ally. I can’t lose him because you don’t know how to be polite to him.”
