Page 31 of The Forever One
And we’re back to reality.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
RIVER
Not telling Gabriella about what happened with Nathaniel was a mistake. The woman has been through Hell these last few months and I know Marco felt like complete shit when he had to douse her happiness that he’sfinallybeen found. She completely understood and the fiery storm behind her eyes when Marco explained everything was clear. Luckily, it wasn’t aimed at us.
The real shocker though—and it’s something I’m having mixed feelings about—is that it’s not Nathaniel’sbodythat has been found washed ashore or at the bottom of a six-foot hole. He’s been seen at the cemetery, walking around New York City…
Alive.
Stefano’s research found a new grave site in the name of Eleanor Reed. Apparently he had an automatic search on her name for any new mentions and this popped up earlier today. So we’re now in Marco’s office and he insisted I sit in his lap so he could hold me through the conversation.
In truth, I’m not sad about it. As much as I resisted being basically coddled by him, I secretly hoped he wouldn’t give in… and he didn’t.
“We haven’t been able to effectively track him to know where he is. There are eyes on any known properties, but it seems he is avoiding those. The only times he’s been noticeably seen have been the cemetery and the lawyer’s office for the reading of his mother’s will. Other than that, it’s like he is the ghost we thought him to be, Signore.”
I fidget in Marco’s hold, unable to stop the growing feeling of dread in the pit of my soul, but he just tightens his grip, making me relax into him as we listen to what has been found.
“I have some footage of the cemetery from this morning. I think you should see it.” Stefano passes Marco an iPad, pressing play on the full-screen video.
My stomach drops and my heart leaps into my throat at the image. It’s Nathaniel. His hair is a lot longer than I remember, and he now has a beard, but there is no doubt it’s him. The thing that makes me hold my breath is the person next to him, an arm around his waist in comfort as he stands over his mother’s fresh grave.
A grave I’m semi-responsible for creating. Okay,mostlyresponsible.
This can’t be happening. It can’t be a coincidence that he’s suddenly walking around now that his mother is dead. And of course he’d be there with her. Why wouldn’t he? Because life isn’t complicated enough. It’s not like we didn’t just rid ourselves of one big bad or anything. Is he another big bad?
Well,shecertainly is.
Her red hair is shorter, styled similarly to mine—which is just fucking weird—but it’s unmistakably Elizabeth.
My eyes strain as they widen in surprise, my heart pounding in my chest as if it wants to burst out, and my breaths come short and fast, like eventheydon’t want to be around me.
Soothing circles being rubbed into my thighs helps me become more present and I realize Stefano is no longer in the room.
“I’ve got you, Tesoro. Breathe for me.” His chest moves deeply against my back and I try to match his slow, even breaths, closing my eyes and allowing all that he is to envelop me in his warmth.
After a few minutes, my breathing is back to some kind of normality and I groan at the feel of Marco’s fingers massaging my scalp. His other hand is still resting on my thigh, dangerously close to my pussy, and I can’t help grinding my ass against him for more. I need to forget again, just for a little while. Then I can try and process what was in that video and what it could mean.
“You’re wearing too many clothes.” Marco sounds as tense as I feel; we both need this.
“For once, Husband, you are right.” I stand, pushing my ass into his crotch and arching my back for emphasis, before gripping the zipper of my knee-length pencil skirt and sliding it down. It gives Marco a fantastic view of my ass as I slowly reveal it, pulling my skirt down and stepping out of it. I leave my shiny black stilettos on, I’m otherwise bare from the waist down.
“No panties?” His low growl as he speaks still sends a shiver down my spine, a direct link to my tingling clit.
“I stopped wearing panties around you when you kept stealing them to carry around in your pocket.” Turning to face him, I begin slowly unbuttoning my red satin shirt and the heat from his look alone is addictive. The way his lips upturn on one side, the crinkle in the corner of his eyes, the raising of that sexy-as-fuck eyebrow…
All that combined with his porn-worthy forearms peeking out below the rolled-up sleeves of his white shirt make this man irresistible.
I’d be doing a disservice to women everywhere if I didn’t take full advantage of the way he’s looking at me. It’s like he wants to devour every inch of me.
“Nowyou’rewearing too many clothes.”
Marco grips the arms of his office chair as I drop to my knees, sliding my palms over his strong thighs. I unbuckle his leather belt and slowly pull down his black slacks, sliding his shoes and socks off as I go. Leaning over him, I gradually push myself up, making sure my breasts rub against his rock-hard cock as I unbutton his white shirt, leaving him bare chested for me.
My fingers trace over the script on his ribs, and the wordvolpestands out again.
“What does this mean?” I’m still rubbing my breasts over his cock and he palms the sides of them as I look up through my lashes at him.