UNHOLY DESIRE

DEIRDRE

The following morning, I found myself inside Matteo’s penthouse in Miraval. It took me thirty minutes from the Luxe Bistro and forty minutes from my modest apartment. I couldn’t help but realize that Matteo had always been within my reach, but he had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

As I woke, I spotted Matteo’s watchful dogs guarding the hotel. They were the first individuals I encountered, and they were not shy about telling me it was their boss’s order. I left the hotel, and the worst part was that they followed me everywhere, making it difficult for me to breathe.

Finally, I received a reminder call from Matteo, informing me that since I chose to remain stubborn and not call him last night about my decision, I should prepare myself for court. I knew he had the financial means and influence to sway the judge in his favour, which was why I didn’t want to go to court but had agreed to his wish.

As I entered the penthouse, I reminded myself it was all for Kendall; pushing back the alarm ringing in my head, I glanced around. The living room was vast and spacious, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that offered an unobstructed, panoramic view of the city skyline.

I touched the sleek modern furnishing as I walked further in. The plush sofas and armchairs upholstered in opulent fabrics enticed me to sink in and unwind, but I knew I couldn’t. I wouldn’t even dare if I could.

Breathing out slowly, I stared at the centre of the room where a contemporary fireplace stood, casting a warm, inviting glow that illuminated the refined decor.

The sight before me was breathtaking, reminiscent of the penthouse in Sicily.

Nostalgia washed over me as I stood there, alone. I couldn’t help but remember the days when Matteo and I frolicked on his island penthouse, enjoying the cool sea breeze and the sun’s warmth on our skin. It seemed like only yesterday when we were inseparable, enjoying each other’s company and the endless possibilities life had to offer.

I couldn’t deny that our relationship was primarily physical, without much emotional connection. Despite this, I still enjoyed every moment we spent together. However, that all changed after that night.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to push the unwanted memory out of my mind. I detested thinking about it.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Matteo’s husky voice interrupted my thoughts, and I turned to face him.

He was dressed in colourful Bermuda shorts and a white button-up shirt with the top three buttons undone, revealing a dark mat of hair on his chest. I couldn’t help but notice his chiselled features and the intensity of his gaze. Despite everything that had happened between us, I still felt a spark of attraction, a flame that refused to be extinguished.

“It is,” I replied in a low voice, barely above a whisper.

We stood there, silent for a moment, each lost in our thoughts.

Then Matteo spoke again. “Are you here to agree to my terms or to fight me?” he taunted, breaking the solemnity of the moment.

I gazed at him and shook my head slowly. “I’m here to agree with you,” I murmured.

“That’s perfect!” Matteo feigned enthusiasm.

Stepping closer to me, he caused me to back away. Matteo grabbed a lock of my red hair and brought it to his nose, inhaling deeply before grinning. “Why do I feel like you’re not going to go down without a fight?” he teased.

He tilted my face to meet his, staring into my emerald-green eyes. “Tell me, darling, what is running through that head of yours?”

I held his gaze steadily, my expression betraying nothing. “Whatever happens between us, we need to keep it away from Kendall. She’s only a child and should not be involved in our business.”

Matteo raised his eyebrows mockingly. “Do you think I’m so cruel, Cara?” he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “You hurt my feelings.”

He stepped back from me, allowing me to breathe a sigh of relief. However, his intoxicating scent lingered in the air, tempting me to take another breath. I made the mistake of inhaling deeply, and his smell again filled my nostrils.

His fragrance was unique and enticing, with a musky undertone that indicated a hint of spice.

Since I had first met him, I recognised him with the scent, and it never failed to make me feel giddy.

I watched as he strode over to the corner of the room where the bar was located. He grabbed a bottle of red wine and poured himself a generous amount before lifting the glass to his lips. When he noticed me observing him, he set the glass down immediately.

“Forgive my manners, darling. Would you care for some?” he offered.

I shook my head, refusing to be compromised. “I’d rather shoot myself in the head than accept whatever you have to offer,” I replied, my voice laced with venom.

Matteo closed the distance between us in a few long strides, pulling me towards him. He growled in my ears, “Be careful what you wish for, darling.”

He formed a gun sign with his hand and pushed it to my head, making me gasp in fear. “You may have that bullet you so desperately desire in your head,” he threatened, his eyes glowing with danger.

“What else do you want?” he demanded gruffly, leaning closer to me. “Tell me before I lose all my generosity.”

I took a deep breath, steadying myself before speaking. “I’ll stay with you as Kendall’s mother. I can’t leave her alone in your care, and I don’t want a random woman or a slut taking care of my child,” I said firmly, my nose wrinkling at the thought of him with a leggy blonde standing in as Kendall’s nanny.

“That’s even more perfect!” Matteo laughed, clearly enjoying my discomfort. It was apparent he had planned this, and I was playing right into his hands.

Despite the terrible situation, I couldn’t leave Kendall with him. She was my responsibility, and I had to do whatever it took to keep her safe.

Matteo locked his intense gaze on me. “Is there anything else you’d like to add?” he asked.

I shook my head, feeling uneasy under his scrutiny.

A mischievous smirk formed on his lips. “You’ve given me your condition, and I will give you mine.”

I licked my lower lip, trying to hide my anxiety. “What’s your condition?” I asked.

Matteo tutted at my impatience. “It’s nothing you can’t handle,” he said. “You can stay with me for eternity, but you mustn’t engage in foul play because I won’t forgive this time, no matter how much you grovel.”

My heart sank at his words. I knew what was coming next, and I braced myself for it. “And?”

“Continue to perform your wifely duty,” he said.

A wave of anger washed over me. How could he ask me to continue playing the part of a devoted wife when he knew how much pain it caused me? Our marriage wasn’t real! I wanted to scream that to him.

Matteo chuckled again, “You should know your body fascinates me, Bellissima. You are a piece of art.” He unabashedly gazed at me lewdly before smirking.

“I understand, Matteo,” I said through gritted teeth, forcing a smile. “I will continue to be the dutiful wife you expect me to be.” Even though it was the opposite of what I wanted to say, Matteo had everything planned out; I couldn’t walk out of it.

I needed a plan of mine, too.

Matteo’s grin widened. “Eccellente,” he said. “Then we have an agreement.”

Matteo made a quick phone call, and a petite woman, perhaps in her mid-forties, appeared at the door. She had shoulder-length dark hair and an apron tied about her waist.

She smiled at Matteo before gazing at me. “That is Mrs Smith,” Matteo introduced. “She’ll be showing you where you’ll stay until I leave this wretched environment back to Sicily.”

I nodded, and Mrs Smith flashed me a warm smile, her dark brown eyes crinkling at the side. “Come, ma’am,” she said. “I’ve made the room better, but I don’t know if you’d like to rearrange it again to fit your taste.”

As I turned to leave with Mrs Smith, Matteo called out to me. “Oh, and one more thing, my dear,” he said, his voice dripping with honeyed venom. “If you ever try to leave me again, I will make sure you regret it.”

A cold shiver ran down my spine at his words. After staring at him for a few seconds, I made my way to my room, where I would continue playing the perfect wife until I could finally break free from his grasp.