After I Fall

Ch 15: Lex

I lean against the G-Wagon park outside my villa. Already regret the decision I made.

Ping.

My finger swipes across the phone screen, unlocking it.

Rafael: Are you on the road yet?

Me: Soon.

Rafael: You said that three hours ago. What the hell is taking so long?

I look up from my phone as the front door to my villa opens. Caterina walks out in a black suit paired with red heels. Her brown eyes hide behind her sunglasses. Her black hair is in loose waves. She looks mouthwatering, but I won't let her know that. She is already making me second-guess myself. I should not have caved in on her request to come along.

"Where the fuck do you think you're going dressed like that?" I get an eye full of what is not under her blazer. A fucking shirt or bra. "Go back inside and change."

She lifts her sunglasses Her eyes twinkle with mischief. "We're already late. I've worn less."

"We're only late because you took your time." I close my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Back inside, now."

"No. Lex, you can't tell me what I can and can not wear. You don't own me." She leans, her breast pressed against my chest. I look down at the swell of her breast. "They look nice, right?" She smirks. "Now come on, we're going to be late." She winks and then lowers the sunglasses.

"Caterina, I don't have time to waste."

"Then don't. Let's go." She chuckles, taking a step back. She walks around the front of the G-Wagon, and Dante is right there to open her door. He watches me with amusement as he closes her door.

"Don't fucking say a word," I mutter. I get into the driver's seat and look over Caterina. "When we arrive in Rome, you will change out that fucking outfit. You may have worn less before, but now you are my wife, and you will cover the fuck up."

"Not your wife, yet, and even then, I will still wear whatever the hell I want. You think because you took my virginity. I'm going to turn into putty in your hands? Lex, get off your high horse. I'm positive if I weren't pushed into this arranged marriage, some other lucky bastard would have had the pleasure to deflow—"

I wrap my hand around her throat, tightening enough that she knows I'm not fucking around but loose enough not to leave a mark. A slow, seductive smile forms on her lips. "You think this is a game? You can stay your ass here. I have enough shit to worry about, then my wife, who wants to test my patience. We get to Rome, you will fucking change or stay in the villa."

"Are you taking me along for business?" The smile never slips.

"Keep fucking around, and I won't."

She raises her right hand, holding up three fingers. "Scouts honor, I will stop fucking around."

I let go of her throat and put the car in drive.

"Do you always drive like this?" She questions, and I glance over at her, confused. "Like this." She points ahead.

The escorts. I like to be lowkey, but with everything that has been going on, buffing up my security is a must. I was against it, but one call from my mother had me telling Dante to add more men to my detail. I'm sure Matteo spoke with her about it. He knows the only person I would listen to is our mother because she's the only woman alive who has my heart.

"A slight change for now," I answer.

"Is it because you are carrying precious cargo?"

"My luggage?"