Page 67 of Darkest Desire

He doesn’t even spare the bathroom a look. “I figured you would be beautiful. Nico only ever spends time with beautiful women. But you’re something else.”

“Something worse?” I joke.

“I’m in awe of your beauty. Nico is one lucky man. That is, if you like him.”

“I… don’t not like him.”

He chuckles, stepping closer to me. On instinct, I step back. My gut is telling me that none of this is right. “I’m curious, since Nico and I will be business partners, how is he in bed? Is he any good?”

I blink. “Did… are you actually asking me this? I just want to make sure this isn’t a language barrier thing.”

“Trust me. I know English. And I meant what I asked. Do you enjoy your time with him when you share a bed?”

“I’m not sure Nico would want me talking about this.”

“And you care what Nico thinks? I’ve heard of his new wife. How bold and blunt she is. How she doesn’t bend to his will. Were the people who told me this wrong?”

“No,” I say quickly. “Not wrong. But this is a dinner party for you and Nico to become business partners. Nico won’t appreciate if I try to ruin that. And I’m not going to tell you about my time with Nico when we’re alone. That’s intimate. Private.”

“Does he fuck you good?”

I back away from him as he gets closer. “I wouldn’t know. We haven’t…”

Giovanni’s eyes widen. “You two haven’t had sex yet? You’ve been married for how long now?”

“Just two weeks. But we didn’t know each other before then.”

“Ah. So an arranged marriage. That’s a little more understandable. But I can’t believe he hasn’t claimed you yet. If he doesn’t soon, someone else will.”

There’s a threat in his voice – likehe’sthe one who will claim me if Nico doesn’t.

“I should be getting back,” I say in a rush before slipping past him.

Nico turns to me as I take my seat beside him. My conversation with Giovanni is pounding in my head. Without even thinking about it, I grab Nico’s hand under the table, seeking safety.

He gives me a startled look before squeezing my hand in return. His eyes have a lot of questions in them but I don’t have answers. I just know that I need to hold onto him to steady myself.

Giovanni returns to the table and doesn’t even look at me, like our conversation didn’t just happen. There’s something dangerous going on and I don’t like it one bit.

Nico

I bring Giovanni and Adrien into my office after dinner is over.

“So, now that you’ve been to my home,” I say, settling into my chair behind my desk, “and met my wife, are you more comfortable with making a deal with us?”

“I am. But I do have one proposition for you.”

I share a look with Adrien, who shrugs. He doesn’t know what Giovanni is going to say either.

“What is it?” I ask.

“I want one night with your wife.”

I blink, then laugh. He can’t be serious. “I’m not sure I heard you right. What did you just ask me?”

Adrien tenses, like he knows a fight is about to break out and one will if Giovanni doesn’t take back what he just said to me.

“I want one night with your wife,” Giovanni repeats, loud and clear.