by Blue Saffire
She will not be the one to put distance between us. When the lift opens to my penthouse I groan. From the aroma’s drifting towards us I know my privacy has been trudged upon once again. I haven’t a clue how this woman manages to know my whereabouts all the time.
I could have chosen a number of places to stay yet she has found the one place I decided upon. It never fails. I lean into Valentina’s ear. “You wanted to know about my mum, well now you can meet her first hand,” I whisper causing her to stiffen once again.
I step to her side and place my hand back on her waist to lead her into my home. I’d be a liar if I said a small part of me isn’t curious of how my mum will react to my wife. She too has been after me to marry. Valentina is nothing like the women my mum has tried to push off on me.
If my mum had her way she would choose a wife for me that has never been a part of our world. I’ve always found that amusing. Her second husband is no stranger to the life, just one more thing that puts a strain on our delicate relationship.
“Ci sei mio figlio,” my mum beams as she turns away from the pot of sauce she was stirring. “Ah and this must be your new wife.”
To my surprise my mum has a genuine smile on her face. She rushes over and pulls Valentina into an embrace. Valentina slowly hugs her back. When my mum releases her from the hug she cups Valentina’s face.
“You are stunning,” my mum gushes. “Oh, I can’t wait to see the babies you two will make.”
I am amused to see Valentina blush and look up at me through her lashes. “I’m not so sure that is something Uri wants,” Valentina says. Ah, here we have her. This is the woman I have married. All the ice has melted in my mama’s presence.
“Oh of course he does. What Italian man doesn’t want his own little brood and with a beauty like you he would be a fool not to want more than a few,” my mum waves her off.
Valentina’s eyes go wide in her beautiful face. I bite back a laugh and decide to help her out. “We have a ways to go yet, Mama. Valentina is not ready for a little brood yet,” I shrug.
I am not expecting the look of death Valentina shoots me. I ignore her, placing a peek on her full lips before I kiss my mum’s cheek and start for my office, time to get to work. Thoughts of Valentina barefoot and pregnant have me ready to derail my plan.
I notice a package by the entrance and head for it. I frown when I see that it is addressed to Valentina. I turn to my mum and lift a brow.
“Where did this come from,” I ask.
“Rebecca delivered it. She said it is for Valentina,” my mum replies.
“For me,” Valentina says and frowns. She turns and walks over to me. I lift the package and she takes it from my hands, but not before I get a feel for the weight of it. I wrinkle my brows and look into her frown. When the box is in her hands her confusion fades and a small smile touches her lips.
“What is it,” I ask.
She looks up at me through her lashes then she peeks over at my mum. My curiosity is thrown into over drive. She just shrugs. “It’s a gift from my uncle. Where is our bedroom? I can put it in there for later.”
“I’ll take it for you,” I say wanting to weigh the box in my hands once again. I have a raging feeling I know what is in that package. Valentina eyes me for a moment before she hands it over. I tuck it under my arm as we stand staring at one another for a long moment. I press my lips and turn to drop off the package before I lock myself in my study.
~B~
I can’t take my eyes off Uri’s tight ass. I watch him walk away and want to follow him and rip that suit from his body. The black suit fits him to perfection. His long legs carry him away too quickly.
I have done everything I know how to get him to touch me other than to help me out of my seat or guide me to and fro. He hasn’t given me more than a chaste kiss since we woke this morning. I had held out hope that last night was really about us having an early morning but it looks like he really has gotten over me.
I am startled out of watching him walk away by his mother’s voice beside me. “I never thought I would see the day my Uri fell in love,” she says happily.
I just barely hold back a scoff. His mother touches my arm and I turn to her. Her face is soft as she speaks. “I too did not marry either of my husbands under the best of circumstances. I did however fall in love with Uri’s father. My son is a lot like his father. Believe me when I tell you my son is in love with you,” she says with a warm smile.
As I look into her beautiful face I don’t have the heart to tell her that she is mistaken. I am a little surprised at her knowledge of the reason we married. Maybe Uri talks to her more than he let on. Embarrassed, I blush. “I’m sorry Mrs. Donati but I think you maybe seeing things a little differently from how they are,” I say softly, giving her a smile to soften the blow of my words.
“Oh please call me Donatella,” she says with a sparkle in her grey blue eyes. She is a stunning woman, petite in size with jet black hair and an oval shaped face. Her skin looks well loved by the sun much like Uri’s. I see where he gets his full lips from.
“Valentina, I ask that you give him time. You will see that he is indeed in love with you. I know my son better than he thinks I do,” she says before placing a hand on mine. “I have a feast going in the kitchen. Come let me get to know my new figlia.”
“Che cosa posso aiutare con?” I ask as I remove my jacket.
“Ah, we will get along just fine. You speak Italian, you are gorgeous and you love my son, but you will not be helping me this time. You have a seat and start by telling me about the wedding I missed,” Donatella answers.
“I’m so sorry,” I start to say in Italian but she waves me off.
“I have seen pictures thanks to Rebecca. That is between you and me,” she shakes a spoon at me and gives a conspiratorial wink. “I hope someday I will get to attend at least a reception.”
I just blink not knowing what to say. I busy myself with looking around at my surroundings. Does this man have a home that isn’t spectacular? The kitchen in itself is wide and open with top of the line appliances. It is a true chef’s kitchen that opens up to the living area.
This home is not as masculine as most of the rooms in the home in Italy or the house we were married in. This place has a softer touch that could only be given by a woman. I feel a surge of jealousy at the thought of another woman being here and having a hand in picking his furnishings.
As if reading my mind his mother tsks at me. She drops the spoon on the counter and puts a hand on her hip. “He has never brought a woman here. I decorated this flat. Uri does not give access to his homes to random women. Pamela would be the only other woman he has brought to any of his homes and she is like a sister to him,” she answers my thoughts.
Pamela. I have heard the name murmured during a few of Uri’s calls. I have to admit I have wondered about her and found myself jealous of the smile he has when she is mentioned. When I asked about her Uri waved it off and said she was a good friend. He always makes it firm that we will not talk more about her.
His mother’s explanation makes me feel a little better. Although it still stings that she has access to him in a way I don’t think I ever will. Donatella seems to pick up on the change in my mood because she changes topics again and starts to ask me about Shannon’s wedding once again throwing me for a loop.
I like her. I can see why Uri is torn on how he feels about her. Something tells me I am right. She didn’t just abandon him.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
“Oh my God, he was so adorable.” I gush over the baby pictures Donatella has pulled from her bag. She has pictures of Uri at no older than four standing in the sprinklers in little swim trunks.
Head full of wet blonde locks he is pouting at the camera in one photo. In the other his father has run up behind him and Uri’s head is thrown back in laughter. He looks so happy. He is also the spitting image of his father. It is almost startling. It’s like watching Uri now holding himself as a boy.
I feel a soul deep ache for the boy in these photos. In a few short years he will have so much heartache. Is that what it will be like for our children? The thought throws me and I shiver.
All of Donatella’s talk of children has me thinking crazy. I need to get a grip. At this point I don’t even know if he still wants me.
~B~
I stand watching my mum and my wife. I can’t believe the woman is showing her my baby pictures. I am rather amused at the sight. I like it more than I am willing to admit. Valentina looks happy again. That is until she stops gushing over the picture to think.
Her expression changes and I can’t help but to be drawn to her. I move closer and when I stop just behind her I feel her shiver. Instinctively I wrap my arms around her and kiss her neck.
“What is it, Love,” I mumble into her neck.
“Nothing,” she mutters quickly pushing the photos back to my mum.
“Don’t lie to me,” I whisper.
She turns on the stool she is sitting on to glare up at me. I press my lips but I don’t get into it because I can feel my mum watching us. I lift Valentina’s chin with my fingertips. “We will talk later,” I tell her and turn to my mum.
“How long will you be staying,” I ask curtly.
“Don’t you start with me,” my mum says with her very Italian accent. “I will be in the guest rooms for as long as I please. I want to make sure Valentina feels at home while here.”
I narrow my eyes at my mum she is full of it and I know it. Something tells me Uncle Nick has something to do with her being here. It would explain how Valentina’s uncle knew where to ship that package that has been burning a hole in the back of my mind.
“Humph,” I grunt but let it go. “Is dinner going to be long?”
“Do pigs fly,” my mum retorts.
Valentina breaks into a fit of giggles and my lips twitch a little. Yeah, my mum is something else. I tug at a strand of Valentina’s hair and her eyes sparkle this time when she looks at me. It makes my chest tighten to see that look in her eyes.
We sit for dinner and my mum starts to tell stories of me as a little boy. Valentina is drawn in by every word. I haven’t seen my mum like this in a long time.
“It broke my heart to have to give Uri up,” my mum suddenly says looking directly at me. “It was for his safety at first. It was better for him to stay with his grandfather and grandmother, but when his grandfather died I had every intention of going to get my son.
“My father was an evil man and he did everything he could to keep me from Uri. To this day it kills me that I was only minutes too late to stop him from taking my son from me. I thought I was doing the right thing when I married Salvatore. I thought he would help me get Uri back.
“I was so naïve. He and my father worked together to make sure Uri remained out of my reach. I know Uri thinks I stopped loving him but I have never and will never stop loving my son. I just want to see him happy. I believe I have that now,” my mama dabs at her eyes with her napkin.
I’m stunned into silence. My mama has never said any of this to me. I narrow my eyes at her. I know she hasn’t been happy in her marriage for some time now. She won’t say so but I think he beats her. I haven’t pried because if she likes it, I love it. After all I always thought her husband was the reason she abandon me, but not like this.
I’ll be paying the wanker a visit and soon. It is long overdue. From what I know my mama has been bouncing between my properties and staying away from the bastard. I guess this is reason enough for me to start looking for the truth and some long overdue answers.
“I need to get to the club,” I simply say as I stand. I move to kiss my mama’s cheek. Then I whisper in her ear. “Stay as long as you like.”
I stop and stare at Valentina as she stares back at me and I know what she is thinking. She had been right. There was more to the story. I wink at her and squeeze her shoulder as I move to leave. I would love to pull her in my arms and kiss her but I am even more determined now to have her love.
~B~
I sit once again watching my husband walk away. I would love to talk to him about what he just learned. I saw a wide range of emotions cross his face before he shut them all down. It burned that he didn’t kiss me before he left. I wonder if he will tell Pamela about all of this.
I wonder if he is really going to the club. Maybe he is really going to see that blonde I saw him with when I turned up at his club. I look down into my lap and wonder how did I get here, a part of me just wants to go home now.
As the idea strikes it begins to take root. Our marriage has served its purpose I could just go home now. I start to plan my trip home when I hear Donatella sigh heavily. In Italian she tears into me.
“My son has several clubs and other businesses to run. He is not leaving to be with another woman. If you leave he will just come after you. He will find you. Let Uri do things his way. You will learn he does everything for the best,” she says then gets up to clear the table.
I get up to help but she waves me off. “I can take care of this. You go get settled in. I have taken up enough of your time for now. You go relax,” she gives me a brilliant smile and I am compelled to hug her.
When we break apart I go in search for the master bedroom. Uri had our bags brought up from the car so I have an idea of the right direction from watching the concierge of the building go this way. I find a pair of sleek glazed glass doors and I am pretty sure I have found the right room.
Donatella is right. It makes no sense to run. Even if Uri is tired of me, he does not seem like he would take too kindly to me running off. I will just brave this one out for a little longer. When I step into the room it is beautiful and modern. With a king sized bed and floor to ceiling windows it has a hotel retreat feel to it.
I turn to see the package from Uncle Valentine on the vanity that is made of all glass. A smile creeps onto my face and I go to the vanity. I had almost forgotten about the box.
That night at Uri’s club he had someone return my car to the rental company. When I asked him about the piece I left in the glove compartment he said he took care of it.
I happened to tell my uncle this before we took off to Italy so I have a good idea what is in the box. Uncle Valentine doesn’t believe I should ever be without a piece. Sure enough when I rip the box open there is a familiar case on the inside.
I remove the gun and assemble it. Sliding the clip home I feel whole for the first time in weeks. I guess it is time to get back to me. The fairytale I have lived with Uri is over.
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
I am sweaty, frustrated, horny as hell and pissed. Uri hasn’t touched me since we returned to London. He spends most his time working. Most nights he is at one of his clubs. I am tired of this.
I won’t beg him for sex. It’s not like we don’t talk. We talk whenever he is around but he has become more like a friend than my husband. Even the cuddling at night has stopped when he is not off at the club.
Donatella has talked me off the ledge a few times. It has been a month, an entire month without my husband placing a finger on me. I have packed my bags at least once a week before Donatella drags them back to the room to unpack them.
I have started to work out twice a day just to keep from blowing up. I would think he’s fucking someone else if it weren’t for the hungry looks he gives me when he thinks I’m not looking. I don’t know what to do. I have never been in a relationship like this one.
Honestly the few relationships I have had didn’t last that long at all. I miss Uri’s touch. Stupidly I think I love him more than a month ago when we were going at it like bunnies.
He may not touch me but he does the sweetest things for me. Like brushing my hair, while asking me about my day and how I am getting along with his mother. This has become routine on Wednesday nights which happens to be a slow night at the clubs.
Then there are the flowers he sends every morning. They come fresh with just my name on the cards. At l
east once a week we go out to dinner, just the two of us. The most action I get is a hot look over the table or the brush of my cheek.
I hate him for making me a nympho then taking away my supply. I hate him for making me fall in love with him to just pull away from me. I want my husband.
I growl in frustration as I strip down and jump in the shower. I don’t know how much longer I can take this. My own hands don’t feel like his strong large hands. It is useless to try to take care of myself. I just end up more horny and frustrated.
The hairs on the back of my neck rise. I turn to find Uri standing in the middle of the bathroom doorway just staring at me. My eyes rake over him and I don’t miss the bulge in his jeans. His face looks almost angry in contrast. I am at a loss. I move to step toward the glass shower door to go to him but he turns abruptly and rushes out of the bathroom. I am so confused and pissed off.
I grab a towel and rush after him. “Uri,” I shout after him. He doesn’t stop and he doesn’t answer me. Instead he grabs his keys from the bowl by the elevator and rushes out of the flat.
“Un-fucking-believable,” I growl and stomp my foot.
I hear snickering behind me and turn to find Donatella propped against a wall with her arms folded over her chest. I must look a soggy mess. I cup my face in my hands and growl.
“You still don’t get it do you,” Donatella trills.
“No, I don’t,” I hiss.
She throws her head back and laughs more. “Your husband wants you. You are driving the man crazy but you will have to go to him.”
“What,” I ask confused. We had a great sex life why do I need to chase him now.
“Uri calls himself teaching you a lesson, but I don’t think he has thought about what this lesson would do to him. Go to your husband, Valentina. Go to the club tonight, don’t let him run this time. Trust me you will see,” she beams before turning to go back to her room.
I huff and stomp my way back to the shower to finish it. I think over her words. Why should I go to him if he wants to teach me a lesson? What lesson does he think he is teaching me…how to be beyond sexually frustrated?