His Discarded Bride: Lied to from birth. Manipulated into marriage. Does love stand a chance?

by Joy, Melita

  There was a tap on the door and in true Favalli style the door opened, and he entered without waiting for permission. He stood at the door and without saying a word simply looked at her, taking in what he was seeing.

  Gruffly, “You look like a princess,” and then quieter, “like your mother.”

  Speechless, Leilani had not expected the reference and didn’t quite know what to say, “Thank you, Vittorio,” she murmured though she wasn’t sure she looked all that much like her mother.

  “I’m turning into an old fool,” she doubted very much that the moment of sentimentality was anything more than a calculated move as much as she’d like to believe otherwise. “My days are numbered, and I’m happy that you have agreed to marry Renato,” he hooked her arm traditionally.

  She didn’t disagree or argue that she’d been left without a choice, “mmm,” she acknowledged.

  Vittorio struggled with his ghosts from the past, not one to regret he allowed the vision of what could have been to enter his mind. Rosa, his precious goddess, so loving and giving he’d never known another like her. Certainly not his wife, theirs was a business union; he sought her extensive social network to build his company, and she saw the undeniable drive and potential he had and took a gamble by marrying him. Had he not succeeded she would have divorced him and moved on to a richer prospect. Once his future was apparent, she refused to leave him only her death releasing him.

  His affairs had been discreet, and she tolerated them particularly after the loss of their children when she no longer took an interest in the intimacies of marriage. She’d even known of Rosa, one night when he’d tried to be amorous with his wife, she had coldly told him to go to Rosa and let her suffer his ministrations. He’d demanded a divorce, but she refused, threatening to unravel his business in a whirl of scandal if need be. Once he had built the business enough to withstand her threats he would leave her and he would have done so had Rosa still been available to him.

  He remembered his Rosa, so passionate, demanding that he leave his wife as he’d been promising. He would distract her with lovemaking and tell her it would happen soon. When the timing was right, he would insist while declaring his love for her. Frustrated she finally came to him with news of her pregnancy; it was time for him to make a choice. He convinced Lucia and built accommodation at the back of the property for Rosa to stay in; he should have known that it all fell into place too easily. He’d learnt the hard way, that women could not be trusted.

  “Are you alright,” Leilani felt Vittorio slump slightly; he was off far away in his thoughts, motionless.

  “Let’s get going,” he asserted and led her down to the garden.

  “Thank you for giving me away today,” she said what was expected.

  “You are welcome, daughter,” and for the first time he acknowledged her.

  Leilani wasn’t sure how she felt, it wasn’t warm or gushing, and it was simply a statement true to the man guiding her towards her groom. That is when Leilani saw the gazebo, draped with an arrangement of greenery, white roses, lilies and carnations. In the middle standing tall and proud was Renato, utter perfection in his superbly tailored suit, black tie and crisp, slim white pocket square that peaked out horizontally.

  His eyes were on her visibly soaking her in as she returned his admiration and stepped towards him. Vittorio passed her to Renato, and she barely noticed him step away. If Leilani was oblivious to the crowd, it was because there literally wasn’t one present. One solitary row of guests sat before them as they held each other’s hands ready to take their vows.

  “You are stunning,” Renato whispered, and he looked as though he meant it. His eyes glowed in appreciation as he focused solely on her.

  The wedding officiant asked who would give her away. Vittorio stepped forward and articulated clearly. “I will be giving away, my daughter, Leilani Davide to marry Renato Favalli,” he proclaimed, standing tall and proud. He kissed her hand and stepped away to take his seat.

  Shocked Leilani was thankful that she wasn’t expected to respond. Her father had just publicly acknowledged her, albeit to a small, discreet group of people, but it was still an admission of their relationship. The rest of the ceremony and nuptials were a bit of a blur. She felt the cold band slip onto her finger symbolising the commitment they’d just made to one another. The celebrant pronounced that they were man and wife and that Renato may kiss his bride.

  She had expected a kiss, accepted the tradition. However, she was mesmerised, by the way, his eyes hungered for her, the intensity of his hold and the dip submitting her entirely to his will. He explored her mouth unashamedly, claiming her as his wife and he took his time in doing so. Leilani held on to him and returned his kiss with equal fervour. When he returned her to her feet, she felt dazed, swept off her feet and she knew at that moment that she was helpless to the love that had blossomed inside of her. She was, in love.

  They signed papers with a couple of Vittorio’s relations officially bearing witness, scrawling their names on the documents presented. Renato introduced her to the handful of guests and soon after they slipped quietly away, “Did you mind that we had so few guests in attendance?” he asked.

  “It was perfect, but from what I’d understood it was supposed to be a wedding to rival the Royals,” she admitted.

  “Is that what you were hoping for?” he questioned.

  “Oh goodness no, I couldn’t think of anything worse than hordes of strangers staring at us while we pasted on cheek hurting smiles for hours,” they both laughed.

  “Honestly it was all set to be an elaborate circus until a few days ago. Getting to know you better I made a decision to scale the wedding down significantly. I didn’t want you feeling shamed on your wedding day. The thought of so many people in attendance with none of them knowing you, it felt wrong.”

  If she was in any doubt, she had none left now, her heart swelled, and her breath felt constricted in the tightly laced dress. “Thank you,” it was heartfelt. “Where are we going, by the way,” she asked as he lured her into the house.

  A fleeting look crossed his determined features. Not quite embarrassment, it was so quick she wasn’t able to interpret. “To our room,” and pushing the door open he claimed her mouth one hand pulling her close the other searching to release her dress. Figuring it out, Renato turned her around. Simultaneously he worked on unlacing her and trailing kisses from the nape of her neck, down the path he’d created, to the provocative curve of her tailbone.

  She stepped out of her dress carefully trying not to damage the delicate material. Renato wasn’t bothered. He kicked the dress to the corner and gripped her waist. He turned her back around to face him. Held her at arms-length and admired her, “Your body is perfect,” he declared.

  His eyes were full of desire, and she felt emboldened, filled with desirability in her fancy scraps of lace which she knew he would dispose of soon enough. Leilani stepped towards him and alleviated him of his jacket and tie; working slowly on the buttons of his shirt she pulled the material out from his waistband as he shrugged his arms out.

  A sprinkling of soft, springy hair adorned his chest, and she closed the gap between them and pressed her nose and face into the hair. He circled his arms around her, his chest muscles cushioning her face, the feeling was indescribable and his scent intoxicating, she wanted more. Wiggling lower she went eye level with the button and zip on his pants eager to see what was awaiting her, knowing she wouldn’t be disappointed.

  “Not so fast,” he wanted control and he lifted her up onto her feet and manoeuvred her towards the bed.

  “We don’t have to make love in the bed,” she asserted. She may not have had sex before, but she was not ignorant, and Leilani wanted to please her husband, she wanted him wanting her, wanting more.

  Claiming her mouth again, he disposed of her delicate lace undergarments. Renato stepped out of his pants and fell with her on top of the cool, silky bedspread. “Would you prefer it if your first time were up ag
ainst the wall, with your legs wrapped around my waist,” he growled into her ear. “Or maybe you’d prefer it if I turned you towards the window and took you from behind while you looked out over the gardens,” he uttered.

  His words shamelessly turned her on, “Yes,” she surprised them both, “I want all of it,” her inhibitions had been shattered, desire surged through her body. She ran her hands down his body and found her prize. Hard, throbbing and more than ready for her she squeezed gently, his groan encouraging her, she slowly ran her fingertips up and down the length of him. His swollen size filled her grip, “I want to taste you,” she said boldly.

  Renato wanted this moment to be about her, but if she weren't careful, it would be over before it began. He always prided himself on his self-control, but she had completely disarmed him. He thought they could be good together, but he expected he would need to help her lose her inhibitions over time. She was incredibly hot for him, scorching and he was turned on by her open desire. He couldn’t deny her a thing, could barely think straight; sexually he was always the one in control, yet, within moments she’d disempowered him. He lacked coherent thought. A deep guttural sound rumbled from him as he felt the warmth of her mouth descend on him. Her tongue darted out swirling around him, as she raised and lowered her head, swallowing his engorged erection.

  Fighting to gain back the control he raised her up to sit over him he needed a moment to think straight but the moment wasn’t forthcoming. Leilani glided herself on top of him. In one smooth, fluid motion he was inside of her. “Let me pleasure you first,” he offered but she gripped her thighs around his waist and started a rhythm of her choosing.

  “Later,” she dictated increasing her pace and gripping onto his chest. Her hair free of most of the pins it cascaded, its silky blonde tresses reaching near the rose tip of her breast. He grabbed onto the soft strands and tugged her down closer to him capturing her mouth in his. Locked together he took hold of the soft mounds of her buttocks. He pushed her down further onto his erection restricting her movements. His back pressed into the bed as he raised his pelvis and supported her weight. Thrusting, he set a new pace designed to excite her and bring her to climax. He set a pace alternating between long hard thrusts followed by bursts of short fast movements.

  She matched his movements and wildly gripped his body as she convulsed in his arms, he could feel the drenching of his erection as his climax detonated and consumed him. Sensation overwhelmed him, and he tried to hold her still. He continued to convulse as she wiggled on his over sensitised flesh. Rolling her over he gently withdrew and pulled her into his embrace and thought about what comment would be adequate after the most mind blowing sexual experience he had ever had.

  “Finally,” she said and softly with a blush in her cheeks, “That was better than I imagined it to be,” she sighed.

  “Don’t even pretend at being shy now,” he laughed when she pouted. “If I had have known you would be such a little tigress in bed I would have married you sooner,” he teased.

  “Ha, I think we possibly have one of the fastest marriages on record as it is,” she countered.

  “Here I thought that you were my sweet piccola farfallina. How will I ever concentrate at work again?” he smiled.

  “You’ll manage, I’m sure and what’s a farfallina,” she asked.

  “I think it’s about time you learnt some Italian,” he mocked. “It’s far fal lina,” he sounded out, “and it means butterfly,” he explained.

  “Why would you think of me as a butterfly,” she asked.

  “When I met you I couldn’t see your beauty. Your hairstyle and baggy clothes, I had no idea, then you came to me on the night of the ball completely transformed, my little butterfly,” and he kissed her on the forehead.

  “Hmm, I like that,” she looked content with his answer.

  “And what of me, do you want to share your thoughts,” he grinned.

  “Mm, in the interests of a lasting union I think I’ll pass,” she teased and leant in for a kiss.

  Leilani felt blissful, who would have thought that making love would feel like that. She didn’t regret her lack of experimentation because she honestly believed that the intensity and feelings were due to Renato. He was an exquisite lover. Obviously experienced and with little recovery time he showed her relatively quickly just how masterful he could be as he made good on the suggestions he’d made to her during their first lovemaking session.

  CHAPTER fifteen

  Leilani had been a bit surprised and disappointed that they weren’t going on a honeymoon. The timing couldn’t be worse she was told, apparently a huge merger or some such was happening. She thought if they were to continue getting to know one another then time alone and away from him work would have been ideal.

  Worse than not going on a honeymoon was the fact that he would be leaving for London only two days after their wedding. His itinerary was non-stop, and he’d be gone for possibly a week. Otherwise, he would have taken her with him. “I’d be happy to do my own thing while you work,” she beseeched eager to accompany him on the trip.

  “That’s sweet,” he said distractedly. “It would be unfair to you. I’ll be in meetings all day and business dinners until late,” he pecked her forehead and took another call.

  Over the past twenty-four hours, his phone had been ringing non-stop. Not wanting to come off clingy she let the matter drop. The one thing that was still going strong was his sexual desire for her. When he finally joined her in bed, he was insatiable, and she was more than willing to accommodate his appetite. Both mornings he had woken her well before the alarm clock. She realised that her transition to consciousness was a lot more rapid with the rising of his erection pressing into her flesh. The early mornings suited her fine.

  Leilani had no need to work so she looked for other ways to fill her days meaningfully. Her starting point was learning the language. It would be especially helpful for when they were staying in the village where English was rarely spoken. Luckily Renato’s household employees were bilingual but that wasn’t much help for her in the small town, she could hardly take someone with her everywhere she went.

  Renato was in London and each morning she would receive a quick call from him; she hadn’t expected that and started to look forward to the quick conversations. She took the opportunity to practice her greetings on him, and he was very encouraging, boosting her confidence. On Wednesday, she took her lunch outside in the gazebo, for obvious reasons it was one of her favourite places. Their wedding day was a lovely memory. Sitting in the shade, she had a perfect view of the cherry trees which regularly tempted her.

  Her phone rang, and her heart skipped a beat. Renato was the only person who used this number but it was nearly lunch time and so far this week he’d only called her in the mornings. She noticed that the call was coming from an international number and assumed it to be him, “Pronto,” she greeted.

  “That was awful,” Leilani’s heart sank, “whoever your tutor is you should fire them.”

  “What do you want Camilla,” she refused to be intimidated.

  “Oh, nothing much, I just wondered if you were feeling lonely back in Pontelandolfo all by yourself?” she asked wickedly.

  “I’m fine thanks,” Leilani combatted stiffly.

  “Well, I just wanted to thank you personally for handing Renato over to me so quickly. Looks like the honeymoon was short-lived,” Leilani hung up the phone, she didn’t need to hear the woman’s lies.

  Leilani fumed trying not to let Camilla’s words hurt. She just couldn’t believe that Renato would take that spiteful woman with him only days after marrying her even if he needed an assistant did it have to be her. She tried to turn her attention to her studies, but it was useless. Her mind was a battlefield, and as much as she wanted to get the thought of Camilla with her husband out of her mind it just wasn’t working.

  By the time, Renato called her the following morning Leilani was tired, exhausted and beyond cranky. No wonder he was onl
y calling her once a day his nights were being fully occupied. “Is it true that you have Camilla there with you,” she just couldn’t hold her tongue. If she didn’t trust him, then he could share in the blame. They’d known each other less than a month and the minute they’d wed he was off and excluding her.

  “Of course she is here. She is my personal assistant, and you sound like a jealous wife. What’s got into you?” he demanded sharply.

  “Well are you sleeping with her?” she had to know.

  “No, I’m not sleeping with her and if you have nothing but accusations for me this morning, then I’m ending this call. My days are stressful and demanding enough. I told you when I proposed to you that I needed a strong woman by my side. One who would complement me. Your insecurities are unwarranted as I haven’t cheated on you, and I’ve assured you previously that I would not,” he stated with finality.

  She let the subject drop, and the conversation dried up fairly rapidly. Leilani didn’t regret asking the question, but she regretted the emotion behind it because now he knew that she was feeling jealous and insecure. There was no way their relationship would prosper if she couldn’t trust him, yet Camilla’s open antagonism was not making it easy.

  Leilani tried to think rationally, if Camilla was having an affair with her husband then what would she gain from baiting her with it. Renato was not going to leave her because he needed her married to him to keep control of the company. What a woeful anchor that was. Without the business, he’d never have even thought of her as a wife, this line of thought did nothing to ease her mind.