Temporary Fix | 18+

15

Niccolò was in a sour mood.

Why? I couldn't be the one to answer that. It started early morning when I could hear him shouting at whoever was on the other end of the phone until he was storming out, slamming the door shut behind him.

He definitely had his panties in a bunch.

The night before lingered on my mind. I had no idea what I was thinking; it was clear that I wasn't thinking at all. Not only that, but the embarrassment of what we did- what I did, was enough to hole me up in the house for weeks. Unfortunately, luck was not on my side because, of course, I had to share a flight back home with the man.

Home. I didn't want to think about what would happen when I got there. I'd agreed with myself to fall into the marriage. I had no reason not to. Haunting words played in my mind to prove I did have a reason not to.

How I'd be able to destroy you and then send you back to play house.

I was going crazy with the thought of it actually happening. What got to me was how he'd said the words, nonchalant and propitious- just promising.

It contradicted his final words to me. Though I was the one to reject him, thinking over his words somehow made me feel as if I were the one who was denied.

"You're right, Rosalyn." How he said my name sent shivers down my spine. It wasn't the answer I expected.

His hands dug into my waist as his grip on me tightened, and I tried not to be affected by his touch. He looked up at me, and his once Mediterranean blue eyes were dark as his pupils dilated.

"You wouldn't be able to handle it." I yelped as he stood, discarding me on the couch. He grabbed his watch and cup of scotch before he stalked off to his room, and I was left with my mouth hanging open.

I got up with a huff, annoyed the man had somehow managed to stay on the forefront of my mind. Maybe I needed to go home and forget last night ever happened. The only problem was my curiosity was piqued, and I was starting to resemble the cat. And everybody knew what curiosity did to the cat.

My fingers ran down the bridge of my nose as I willed myself to get it the fuck together.

I'd packed my stuff and waited patiently at the island for the man to come back so we could grab some food and stroll before it was time to go, his idea, not mine.

I could feel the change in the room the moment he walked through the door, but I was busy crushing candy and wasn't giving him my attention. He moved around the space for a few minutes before I heard his voice. "Let's go." His tone was commanding, disregarding, as if he expected me to obey his commands happily. I looked up from my phone, the Candy Crush game still running in the back, to give him my most pissed look.

He wasn't even worth my anger. I was just ready to finish the day, go back to my mess of a life and forget all about the sexy, brooding man.

"Are you fucking listening?" The annoyance in his voice grew when I lowered my head to put my attention back on the game.

His polished shoes appeared to my left, and I could smell the scent he carried with him, letting me know he was inches away from me.

"Rosalyn." My reply was a scoff.

"I don't know what the fuck your problem is, and quite frankly, I don't give a damn." I stood, grabbed my purse from the table and stuffed my phone inside, still refusing to look him in the eyes. "I'm no longer hungry. Take me home." With my last words, I stepped around him and marched to the door and the anger I felt was audible in the click of my heels.