A Promise of Forever

by M. E. Brady

  “Snooping into my private life, Irish? Let me offer you a bit of advice. I enjoy making love and if you expect my fidelity, I expect you to be my wife in every sense of the word,” he added, taking her hand and placing it over his erection, holding it there. “If you want, I will take a lover but I’d rather my lover was my wife,” he said sulkily.

  His warning was meant to scare her and it did. If she understood what he was adamantly making clear, she needed to be a compliant bride in his arms or he’d find someone else who would be. “Are your threats meant to hurt me?” She asked the question knowing full well that was his plan exactly. She tried not to show it but it was growing increasingly difficult, having this conversation while she still held his shaft in her hand. She let go roughly and tried to make him believe that it was what she had intended to do all along.

  He had a look of triumph on his face, a look that said she took his bait and reacted exactly as he knew she would. She wasn’t ready for him when he rolled over on top of her and pinned her beneath his naked body. “Is this how you really like it?” he asked. “I had no idea that you enjoyed rough sex. If this is what you want, I will oblige you but it saddens me that any part of this body would be marked,” he added as he traced her breasts with the back of his long masculine fingers.

  “Get off me,” she said stubbornly pushing him aside, her actions unmerited. “I don’t want you to touch me. You have a filthy mind,” she added angrily. He laughed, knowing full well how aroused she was. He knew her body better than she knew it herself and he knew she wanted him. She tried turning over on her side, hoping that would be the end of it but he left a trail of kisses down her neck and shoulder as he removed the only two barriers between them. He tossed the blanket aside and lifted her nightgown over her head.

  “Tell me, Irish. Tell me to make love to you and I will. I want to hear my name on your lips this time. Please, say my name,” he begged as he repeated the words over again in her ear. “I loved you before I ever met you,” he said, in a voice so low it wasn’t meant to be heard.

  Their lovemaking was always raw and complete; it didn’t take long before she cried out in ecstasy. She cried out his name over and over again until she thought she would die from sheer exhaustion. Why did it have to be like this between them? Together, the sex between them was elated. It didn’t take long before she was consumed by the rapture. She fell asleep in his embrace as their naked bodies clung to each other in slumber. When she finally woke, Gianfranco was nowhere to be seen. In his place was a book on erotica. Katelyn picked up the book, glanced at it and threw it across the room. Who does he think he is? Is this another attempt to anger me? She was a little embarrassed when, seconds later, Maggie knocked on the door, asking if she needed anything. Maggie said she’d heard a noise and when she glanced down she was without doubt embarrassed by what she found there.

  Katelyn grabbed the sheet up to her neck, looked down and saw that the book was lying open on the floor. The opened page contained a truly exotic pose of two people making love. Katelyn grew more embarrassed when she realized that they had been in that same position the night before and the page was clearly marked for her benefit. What does Maggie think of me?

  “Did Gianfranco leave for the office already, Maggie?” she asked, trying to avoid eye contact with the housekeeper.

  “He left hours ago, Mrs. Broccolini. I’m sorry…Katelyn. He asked that you not be disturbed. He said you didn’t sleep well last night. He left the impression that you were ill but I can see he is back to his usual teasing self,” she said, shaking her head as she picked up the book and placed it on the table. “Do you have plans for today?” she asked in her Irish brogue.

  How ironic that Gianfranco Broccolini employed a housekeeper who was as Irish as could be. “I haven’t thought about what I would do today to tell you the truth. The first thing I have to do is call my daughter and then I was thinking about doing something to make this place feel more like a home. It needs a woman’s touch.”

  Maggie smiled and encouraged her. “It will do this place good to have a woman and child running around. I’m sure that is just what the doctor ordered for Gianfranco, Mr. Broccolini, I mean,” she said correcting herself. She was hardly able to catch herself from saying his given name. Maggie didn’t know Katelyn nor did she know how Katelyn would stand on formality, so she didn’t dare take such liberties.

  “Maggie, it’s perfectly alright if you call us by our given names. I really want you to. For that matter, like I said yesterday, I’d prefer it. We’re going to be family around here and I don’t want you to feel you’re not part of that family,” she said still holding on to the sheet that hid her body. Maggie smiled happily and told Katelyn she would leave her to get dressed as she prepared her breakfast.

  Katelyn wrapped the sheet around her body and went over to the book lying on the desk. She picked it up and instantly she felt her breasts respond to the memory of last night’s events. He was an excellent lover and Katelyn was learning things from him that she hadn’t dreamed possible. She placed the book on the table and decided she would have to give some thought to her revenge.

  Katelyn checked out the closet filled with her clothes as well as new and untouched outfits. They were hung neatly across from his. It was strange seeing his things next to hers and she couldn’t resist the urge to touch the jacket that still held his scent from the night before. She closed her eyes and held the jacket to her body as she took in his scent. Her body longed for his touch to relieve some of the need that he had created with his little innuendos. She took the coat from its hanger and cocooned her naked body with it. She hugged her arms around herself as the silk fabric inside brushed against her breasts; they tingled against the silk.

  She took a cool shower and changed in order to put last night behind her. After the shower, she dressed and dialed Rosa to see if she had gotten her message from the day before. She answered almost right away and it felt good to hear her familiar voice. So much had happened since the last time she’d seen Rosa and that was such a short time ago. She knew Rosa would be shocked at all the news she had for her and possibly hurt at not being included in the wedding plans but she knew she’d understand. She was a good friend and she didn’t want to hurt her; somehow she’d make it up to her.

  “Is that you, Katelyn?” Rosa asked into the phone. “I got your message and I was a little concerned about you but I didn’t get a chance to call you last night because it was late when I got in.”

  “I’m not sure how to tell you this but I should just come right out and say it. Gianfranco and I were married yesterday in Montana. I’m sorry that I didn’t get in touch with you but everything happened so fast.” Katelyn listened, the silence was deafening. She couldn’t figure out if it was from shock or a disappointment.

  “I’m happy for you but isn’t this a bit soon? I’m just a little taken back by the speed of the wedding.” Katelyn supposed she was right but, looking back, they had waited seven years too long.

  “Rosa, if you’re free today, I’d love to have you come and see the place? I could send a driver for you?” she suggested. Rosa agreed without hesitation. She couldn’t wait to see Katelyn and make sure her friend hadn’t made a mistake. Katelyn decided she would skip telling her about Italy for now. They talked a little about Jenny and her feelings about having her father in her life. After a short conversation, they decided to put off the rest of their conversation until later when she arrived at the penthouse.

  Rosa wasn’t expected to arrive for a couple of hours so Katelyn decided to use the time making the penthouse into a little less of a sterile environment and more into what a home should look like. She got busy on the phone and before she knew it she had ordered a host of things to spruce the place up; she also made appointments with interior decorators. It wasn’t until Maggie came to announce Rosa’s arrival that she realized how much time had passed.

  “I can’t believe this place,” Rosa said as she looked around. “You could fit al
l the apartments on our floor into this one place. I’m sure there’s nothing you could want that Gianfranco couldn’t give you,” she said, admiring the amazing penthouse. Katelyn couldn’t help but keep the secret her heart wanted to scream out; she had everything except his love.

  Maggie told them that lunch was being served; both women followed her as she escorted them to the dining room. Surprised, Rosa suddenly realized that this was definitely more than she had expected. She put her wineglass down but not before remarking that everything was so proper. “I’m sure this wineglass is in the proper white wine flute or is goblet? Not like at home, where we’ll drink from a mason jar if we need to,” she said laughing. “You deserve all of this.”

  “Gianfranco made arrangements for Jenny and me to go to Italy with him, in a few days. We’ll be living there for an extended period of time.” Katelyn could tell from the expression on her friend’s face that she didn’t understand the expediency of this trip. She told her that it was all so rushed, the marriage, and now moving to Italy for an unknown length of time. Rosa didn’t trust Gianfranco’s motives. “How could he marry you within a few days of seeing you again and then insist on taking you out of the country? Are you sure you can trust him?” Rosa asked with concern.

  Katelyn knew his reasons for the trip but she couldn’t share them with her friend. How could she explain that her husband of only two days didn’t trust her? She wanted to share her secrets with Rosa but she couldn’t. The look on Rosa’s face when she told her they would be moving was enough for her to handle. They both cried as if they were losing each other forever.

  “I know it’s not your fault. You and Jenny have to go with your husband but you guys are my family. This is so hard,” she said as she hugged Katelyn and cried again. Rosa picked up her glass of wine and toasted Katelyn and her future happiness. She wanted Katelyn to have everything she longed for and more.

  They each chatted for what seemed like hours before Rosa had to leave. She told Katelyn that she would miss them both but she promised to get a passport as soon as possible so she could come and visit. It wouldn’t be the same as it was before but they would both have to accept the new roles they were about to play in each other’s lives. After Rosa left, Katelyn went into the kitchen and made herself a cup of tea in spite of Maggie’s objection. Maggie insisted that she was there to take care of her.

  “I’m going to take this tea to my room, if you need me for anything just call. I’m a little tired,” she said, forcing herself to walk in the direction of the bedroom. She drank her tea stretching out on the chase lounge that overlooked the Manhattan skyline. Her emotions began to get the better of her. It was enough that he infringed on her thoughts when they were together but now he tormented her during her quiet moments. She wanted this marriage to work, she really did.

  Gianfranco stepped into their room and watched stealthily as his wife wept into a tissue. He couldn’t help rid her of the pain she was going through; if he did, it would mean the end of his salvation. Maggie told him that she’d had a visitor this afternoon and seemed emotionally distraught when her company left. He didn’t ask who her company was but he could guess by her reaction. He went to the bar and poured himself a drink. She heard him as he moved around the room, their eyes met. He could see she was drowning with feelings of regret written in her eyes.

  “I understand you had a visitor today?” he asked as he handed her his handkerchief. “Maggie didn’t get to tell me who it was but, judging from your behavior at the moment I don’t think I want to know.”

  There was only bitterness in his tone and Katelyn wasn’t up to fighting with him. She was exhausted from sparring with him and told him the truth. “I’m not sure what you mean?” she asked.

  He let his eyes drift to her face and then said coolly, “You mean, you don’t want to tell me who was responsible for your tears,” he asked touching her cheek with his thumb.

  “I don’t see why you should concern yourself with my feelings. You never have before,” she added, knowing her words would sting. This became a game between them and she was fast becoming emotionally unable to play.

  “Was it Taylor? Did you have him in our home?” he asked in defeat. Remaining silent, he took it as an admission of guilt. He understood her tears for her ex. She followed him into his study and watched as he smashed a glass on his bar. He replaced it with another, filling it with any liquor that was available to numb his pain.

  Katelyn watched as he gulped down another sip and left the study abruptly. If nothing else, she knew he was jealous, thinking there was another man in her life. She didn’t see him again until much later that night and when he joined her in bed reeking of alcohol. She hated knowing that he had to drink himself into a stupor in order to share the same bed with her.

  During the night, his arms had somehow found her as she lay spooned with him. He was naked and fully aroused but he didn’t seem to move. He was lying still and judging from his breathing, she knew he was awake. Did he want her to make the first move? He had no idea how painful this was for her to be so close and not make love to him. No matter how painful it was, she couldn’t stand to lose that closeness she felt while in his arms.

  He couldn’t let go of her; it felt too good to hold her. He felt her tears as they dropped on his arm and that was what kept him from touching her any further. Her tears were for another man and even if it killed him, he owed her this comfort at least. She’d married him and given up her lover; somehow he would make it up to her.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Gianfranco had Dana make sure that their passports were all in order. Katelyn made arrangements to have Jenny escorted to the airport in Montana by Mary Alice. It was decided that Gianfranco would meet her at the airport and bring her to the penthouse to meet Maggie.

  During those whirlwind two days, they barely conversed while waiting for Jenny to arrive and for Jake to take over the day-to-day operation of the magazine. She spent a lot of her time alone and Gianfranco took any opportunity he could to go to the office. But as soon as Jenny arrived, everything changed. She brought smiles to both their faces and life to a home where it had been lacking. Gianfranco loved having Jenny near him. Maggie was quite taken, seeing a miniature version of Gianfranco. She couldn’t imagine what had kept them apart all these years. In Gianfranco’s defense, he never let anyone blame his wife. He took full responsibility for not being in his daughter’s life from the beginning.

  Gianfranco spent all his free time with Jenny and after tucking her in at night, he’d go and hide in his study with a bottle that was fast becoming his friend. Each night, Katelyn grew increasingly worried about him. She decided that she would talk to him before he took his first drink tomorrow. She would do whatever he asked of her in order to make him stop because neither of them derived any pleasure from the hell they were creating.

  Katelyn never had the chance to talk to Gianfranco because he came to her instead that evening. He had gone to his study as usual but apparently he had nothing left to drink. She could see that he had thought long and hard about his visit, whatever the reason. Nervously, she sat up in bed and never looked away from his eyes. “I want to talk to you about our future. I think we need to discuss what each of us expects to get out of this marriage,” he added as he stepped closer to the bed. His eyes were dark and unquestionably uneasy.

  He gently brushed his knuckles against her lily white skin. Never before had a woman compelled him like she did. It was as if he were under a witch’s spell that couldn’t be broken. His eyes burned with desire and love for her. He wanted so badly to absorb that need from her that she so easily took from him. Then, as if nothing could stop him, he kissed her. It was a simple gentle kiss and then, uncontrollably, it became demanding and hungry as always.

  “I want to stay with you tonight. I don’t mean to sleep with you. I need to make love to you, Katelyn. Don’t turn me away,” his voice begged as he gently joined her on the bed.

  “Do you think it’s wise
with Jenny here?” she asked. She didn’t want Jenny to be hurt if and when her father moved on to another lover.

  “Jenny is our daughter; she knows that married people sleep together. Damn it Katelyn, I’m not going to discuss my sex life with a seven-year-old. Did you think that after we were married, I’d settle for the life you’ve given me so far? I’m sorry to disappoint you again but, no matter how you feel about me, I intend to make love to my wife,” he said angrily, before lifting her into his arms.

  He took her that night. At first Katelyn tried to fool herself into thinking that it wasn’t what she wanted, but they both knew better. His touch was all that was needed to awaken the desire stirring beneath. She cried out his name over and over again until their need for each other was sated once again. These days they fell asleep exhausted and in each other’s arms.

  Katelyn stretched out in their bed as the sun began to rise and reached for her husband who was nowhere to be found. She heard nothing from the shower. The clothes that were haphazardly tossed on the floor the night before were gone. The only sign of life she could hear were voices in the distance. She could hear her daughter, every once in awhile, talking excitedly about her trip to Italy.

  The knock on the door was brief and soft at first and she almost ignored it. After very little deliberation, whoever it was decided against leaving and opened the door. “We need to talk,” he commanded softly.

  Katelyn watched as he entered the room and joined her. She wrapped the satin sheet nervously around her naked body and waited for him to offer his regrets for the night before, citing an inability to control himself or the fact that he might’ve had too much alcohol. But truthfully, she knew that he didn’t love her.