“We should actually get going. It’s supposed to rain soon.”
We hurry the rest of the way and when we are about halfway home, it starts pouring.
“I wasn’t quite ready to go home,” he says, turning the windshield wipers to a higher speed. “Tomorrow, how about we spend the night in one of the inns nearby. Or maybe tonight we can move to the wing I was telling you about.”
I’m happy he can’t see my face because I’m flushing and fighting back the biggest smile. It might be the craziest decision to make, but today has felt so good.
I needed this.
Maybe I need him.
“I’d like that.” I take a deep breath and force myself to ask: “Are you sure this is what you want?”
“I think you’re getting in my blood whether I want you to or not.”
I’m not quite sure what to make of that answer, but I know this much…
I’m not the only one affected by this pull we have toward one another.
Chapter Twenty-Four
When we reach the estate, Basile is the only one who sees us come in. The guards disappear once we’re inside and Basile nods as he keeps walking. He gives me a little smirk before he turns the corner and I withhold the building laughter in my chest. My heart feels like a different one than I left with, much lighter, more hopeful.
Something resembling happiness.
We reach our rooms and Luka leans against his door. “I’ll tell Hanna to fix up the other room for us, but for now, come into mine?”
He pulls me by the waist until I’m lined up with him and opens his door. I fall into him and he lifts me up, sliding me slowly down until I feel him between my legs.
“Are you always ready?” I grin against his lips.
“Always.”
He shifts behind me. “Take off your clothes,” he says, his voice low.
I take my pants off slowly, and he helps, pulling the lace down for me. He pulls my tank top over my head, unclasps my bra, and with his hands on my waist, he pushes me forward, into the bathroom.
He turns the shower on and we step inside. He motions to the seat that lines one side of the shower. “Put your hands there.”
My pulse pounding everywhere, I do what he asks. This time when he thrusts inside, it’s slow and deliberate. When he’s as deep as he can possibly get, he pulls my back flush against his chest and lets the water fall over us as he moves in and out, agonizingly slow.
“Look at me.”
I look over my shoulder and the feeling intensifies when we’re staring at one another. He grabs hold of my hair in his fist and covers my mouth with a brutal kiss. Releasing me, his hand slides down to my hip, digging his fingers into my skin. He snakes his other arm around my waist then travels down, down, down, flicking my clit until I gasp.
The sound of our moans and slapping flesh echoes. When I think I can’t take another second, he pinches one of my nipples and I tighten against him and explode.
We are fury and fire in the calm, steady mist of water.
Nothing else matters. It’s just the two of us: no doubts, no regrets, only our quiet breathing as he remains inside me.
He pulls my hair back and kisses me, both of us panting hard. “I don’t want to fight anymore,” he says hoarsely. “Please?”
I don’t say anything back, but my heart shouts out its response. Yes, yes, yes. I’m falling for you.
“I want to finish this in bed.” He pulls out and we step on a towel, him walking backward as he watches me, one hand holding mine and the other fisting himself. He is a sight to behold.
“On your hands and knees,” he says when we reach the bed. I turn away, shy suddenly, but do as he asks.
He continues stroking himself, leaving me there waiting for him. “I wish you could see how hot you look right now, soaking wet, waiting for me. So fucking hot.”
He isn’t gentle when he enters me and I scream. It feels too right, too perfect; I can’t even be embarrassed anymore. He’s even louder than me and when I clench around him so tightly, he explodes and I drain him dry.
As I’m floating back to earth, I think about how grateful I am for birth control. That last time would have most definitely resulted in a baby.
“I feel like I need another shower.” I giggle as I press my lips to his chest.
“You better go without me or you’ll never get clean.” He’s closing his eyes, but his lips lift.
I think this might be the most content I’ve seen him.
I go back to the shower and wash thoroughly, unable to wipe the smile off my face. When I get out, I towel off and go through the side door into his closet for a shirt. I hear a knock and voices while I’m in there. It sounds like Basile. I find a pair of Luka’s sweats, throw them on and roll down the top band and roll up the legs, eyes widening when I see myself in the mirror. Hot mess.
I step out of the main closet door and Luka and Basile stop talking, looking at me with something akin to horror.
“What’s wrong?” I pull out the waist on the sweats. “Don’t worry, I’m not gonna wear this in public. Ever.” When neither of them laugh, I swallow hard. “What’s going on?”
Basile looks at Luka and hands him an iPad. He swipes his hands over his face and sits on the bed, looking defeated.
“You’re scaring me. Luka?”
“I don’t want you to hear about this from anyone but me,” he finally says, his voice flat. “Pictures have come out of Nadia and me. Incriminating pictures,” he adds.
I feel an ache in my chest, but when it hurts too much, I shut it down, shifting into a cold, calm nothing. “Oh. When did you—?”
I don’t have to clarify. He knows what I’m asking.
“That’s where I was when I left…with Nadia. I—” He stops when Basile quietly leaves the room. “And also the night of Elias’ party.”
A knot that feels like a fist forms in my throat and I struggle to swallow past it.
“You knew what you were getting into—I told you—” he starts.
I hold up my hand, stopping him. I pick up my clothes and panties from the floor and walk out. He’s on my heels, sheet wrapped around himself. When I try to slam my door in his face, his hand keeps it from shutting and he follows me.
“Get out.”
“At least hear me out.” His eyes are pleading with me and he puts his hand on my shoulder.
I shove it off.
“Don’t touch me again. I won’t just be another conquest for you.” I hate so much that I cry when I’m angry, but I am furious right now and the tears threaten to spill over. “You couldn’t at least spare me the embarrassment of cheating on me in our first month of marriage by being discreet?” I shake my head. “I don’t even understand why coming here was such a big deal, if you were just going to get caught with Nadia. Did you want me to see that or were you really so stupid to think you wouldn’t get caught?” I’m winding up even more now, the threat of tears gone. “Your dad making up the story about us taking attention from Mara? She’s not even in the news right now. None of this makes sense. Or are you just missing Nadia so badly, your brain cells have disappeared, along with your integrity? What was today about? Why couldn’t you just leave me alone?” I yell and choke back a sob. “Get. Out.”
“But I can’t. I can’t leave you alone. That’s the—” He slams his hand against the wall. “Today…I thought we moved past everything to—”
“I don’t want to even hear the sound of your voice.” I walk to the window and keep my back to him. I feel ridiculous in his clothes.
He doesn’t belong to me and he never did. He never will.
“I won’t stand in your way. If you want to be with her, go right ahead. Just don’t make the tabloids. I think that’s more than fair. Even your mother and father have figured that out.” I put my hand over my mouth and squeeze my eyes shut.
“I’ve known that I don’t deserve you,” he whispers. “And who am I kidding? The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. But you—you make me
feel like maybe I could be different.”
“I don’t trust anything that comes out of your mouth.”
He sighs, and eventually, he walks to the door. When he opens it and walks out, I turn around and Mara is standing there in the hall, blatantly listening. Luka pushes past her and her grin is wide as she leans in my doorway.
“Your time is almost up,” she says gleefully. “I’d start packing if I were you.”
I move toward her so fast, her eyes widen and she backs out. I slam the door in her face and fall on the bed, screaming into my pillow.
Brienne comes into the room and sits by me on the bed, holding my hand while I cry.
* * *
When I’ve spent far too much time crying, I look for the pictures online.
The first headline says: Trouble in paradise for the newlyweds already?
I click the link and wait a moment for the pictures to load. Groom seen at Princess Nadia’s Halkar apartment in the days leading up to his reception with Princess Eden.
I start to shake as picture after picture shows him entering her apartment, multiple shots of them on her balcony hugging, two of them kissing, and him leaving in the early hours of the morning.
And again a few days later…
There are more pictures of them the night of Elias’s party. Heart pounding, I get to the end and click the next link, which shows more of the same. And another, and another…until I’m led to all the old pictures of them together. It seems he’s never been able to stay away from her, even when he’s seeing someone else. Apparently, he’s not able to stay away from her when he’s married either. His hot and cold routine makes more sense now.
Nothing about the way he’s been today makes sense.
Nothing.
Tears stream down my face and I can’t breathe.
I’ll go home.
That becomes my overwhelming desire and I pick up the phone to call my mother, but I can’t stop crying long enough to do it. Tomorrow. I’ll call her tomorrow.
* * *
Hours later, Basile knocks on the door. “Can I come in?”
I open the door and his eyes are sad when he sees the shape I’m in.
I motion for him to sit at the table by the windows and I sit across from him.
“I know I don’t have the right to ask, but I will anyway. For the sake of everyone in the house. For the sake of trying to dissolve this latest travesty.” He shakes his head. “I’m not pretending to know the depth of your relationship with Luka; I don’t know whether these new pictures hurt you or make you angry. Maybe you couldn’t care less…but that’s not the impression I’m getting.” He pats my hand and my lips tremble. “I’m sorry you’re hurting.”
I look at him, wanting him to get on with it.
“I happen to think you’re really good for Luka. I’ve never liked Nadia…or Luka for that matter. You make him infinitely more likable.”
I sigh and he grins.
“However, I do love the boy, even when he is a pigheaded prat.” He leans in and my heart starts to pound, knowing he’s finally going to say what he came to say. “Can I ask that you be patient with him while he finds his way? I think it will be worth it.”
I frown at him. “He’s humiliated me, whether there are feelings involved or not. No matter what kind of pretense we’re putting out to the world—what kind of start is that to a marriage? I don’t understand why we even came here if he was going to run off and do that.”
“Luka should be strangled for his egregious mistake, I grant you that. But I’m still asking for you to give him time. I think he’ll come around.”
I shake my head. “As if I want him to come around. No, thank you.”
Basile tilts his head, his lips in a flat line. “That’s too bad. Because I think he could love you.”
I scoff, scowling at him. “He’s incapable of love.” I lean in closer to him. “And I’m not getting close enough for him to try it out on me.”
Basile smiles. “It remains to be seen. I like your fire, Eden Catano—nice ring to that, by the way. My wager is on you bringing him to his knees, and I, for one, cannot wait to watch.” He stands up and walks to the door. “All this lust and angst in the air are driving me to the wine. I’ll be in the library should you care to join me.”
“I think I’ll hide here a little longer, thank you.”
Luka knocks on the door not long after Basile leaves.
“Eden,” he calls, “talk to me, please.”
I shut myself in the bathroom and hold my knees to my chest, burying my head and wishing I could bury my heart.
Chapter Twenty-Five
A couple of days pass before I see Luka again. It’s quiet next door, so I’m not sure if he’s even around. I don’t venture beyond my room long enough to find out. I do search the web to see if any more pictures have come out, but they’re still having a heyday with the ones I’ve seen already. Nothing new.
On day three of my hideout, our pictures with Juan are released. There are photos of the two of us and several of me alone. We look like a dream couple. Like the royalty we’re built up to be. And under the comments of both our couple shots and my solo pictures, I’m made out to be a pathetic, blind, frigid princess who must not put out enough to keep the young prince satisfied. Many are rooting for him to be with Princess Nadia and never liked me to begin with; others think we are beautiful together and need to give ourselves time to grow in love.
It’s all ridiculous. This manufactured romance that everyone can see right through—why bother trying to fool anyone?
Mid-morning, Basile knocks on my door.
When I crack it open, he says, “I’ve held them off as long as I can.”
“Who?”
“Your in-laws. They expect to see you at dinner tonight. Normally I’d say do what you want in regard to where you take your meals, but this time I think you should be there.”
I don’t respond and he sighs before backing away. All of a sudden, my room feels claustrophobic. I pick up my bag and try to catch up with him.
“Basile,” I call, pushing the strap of my bag up on my shoulder. He stops and turns around. “I’d like to use the car today, if that’s okay.”
“Sure,” his face brightens, “let me just arrange for a guard to go with you. The driver will be ready to take you wherever you’d like to go.”
“Great. Thank you.”
* * *
Harmi is my driver and he and Brienne view each other with suspicion. I tell them where I want to go and Harmi looks at me from the rearview mirror.
“Are you sure? It will be crowded.”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
We stop by the art store and I pick up my supplies, smiling at all the customers and employees who gawk at me when I walk in. When I set my things down on the counter, it takes a few minutes for the girl to snap out of her fog.
“I-I can’t believe you are in my shop,” she says. She waves her hand across my items. “Take it. I cannot charge you. It’s such an honor for you to step inside.”
“Please let me pay. That way I won’t feel bad about asking you to order certain colors next time.”
She grins widely and nods, taking the money.
Brienne helps me with my packages and stares at me blankly when I step outside.
“Lighten up.” I brush past her and Harmi holds my door for me. I hate the attention it puts on me to have guards, always have, but today I needed out of that mausoleum too much to mind.
We drive to the most crowded area on the beach and when Brienne tries to help me carry things onto the sand, I shake my head. “I’ll make several trips. I need some time alone today.”
“Lady Eden, you shouldn’t be out here in the open without me by your side.”
“Fine, but please don’t be obvious.”
She hands me the small easel and oil pastels and I walk out on the sand, setting it down near a few families with dogs. I go back to the car for the canvases and when I sit down o
n the sand, I savor the fact that no one has recognized me yet. The hat helps. It won’t last, but for the moment, it’s freeing.
I place the bag by my feet, open up the pastels, then put a canvas on the easel. And then I zone in on my subject. He’s perfect: brown hair and dark eyes that are so expressive. It only takes fifteen minutes or so to capture his personality.
I’m assessing my work when I hear a little voice next to me. “Is that my dog?” she asks, her sweet voice in awe.
I point at the little dog I’ve been drawing. “Is that your dog right there?”
She nods slowly, her two front teeth barely growing back in. “Yes,” she whispers. “Are you Princess Eden?”
I lean forward and whisper in her ear. “I am.”
“Wow.”
I add a few finishing touches to her dog and then hand it to her. “Here you go.”
“I can keep the drawing?”
“Yes, it’s yours.”
She gasps and grabs it, running to her mom. “Thank you!” she yells over her shoulder.
I smile and set up a new canvas. Before long, I have a crowd of people surrounding me, asking me to draw their child, or themselves; a few couples shyly ask me to draw them. I draw until I run out of canvases and then say yes to every selfie request. By late afternoon, I’ve met a ton of the locals and feel a little better about humanity. Sometimes you have to stay away from the trolls behind screens and interact with real, genuine people. It’s a good reminder for me to step out of my comfort zone more often. This day turned out so much better for me, and I daresay for everyone I met.
I get into the car, smiling and exhausted.
“Home?” Harmi asks.
Not my home.
“Yes, please.”
It takes a while to get back because of an accident just outside of town and once we get around it, Harmi takes the curves like we’re in a race. Way too fast for me. I hold onto the handle and yelp on one turn.
“What is your rush?” I screech.
Downfall: Kingdoms of Sin, Book #1 Page 14
