Owning Beauty, page 5
The first person I see is Sophia, who pulls me aside and hisses, “What the hell’s going on, where’s Anastasia?”
“She’s feeling unwell and is resting.”
She narrows her eyes. “What are you playing at, Tobias? This isn’t you, any of it. What’s really going on in that fucked-up brain of yours?”
“Don’t question me, Sophia; never question me. I have my reasons and I don’t need to explain them to you. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
I leave her fuming behind me and feel irritated. Family, like an unwanted virus they cling to you and no amount of shaking can get them to leave. Although I love my sister, I can’t stand her sometimes and this is one of those times. She makes me look at myself differently and I don’t like it. She pulls me apart and makes me questions my decisions, but she’s all I’ve got since… I push the thoughts away. Not today. Not ever.
So, I distract myself as usual and head over to Angelica and note the wariness in her eyes as I say shortly, “Matteo will take you to your sister. She needs you.”
Her stupid mom overhears and cries, “Oh my poor darling, I should go to her.”
“No.”
Angelica holds up her hand firmly. “I’ll go to her and then if she needs you, I’ll come and get you.”
“What do you mean, if she needs me, of course she needs me, I’m her mother?”
Angelica throws her a withering look and hisses, “When it suits you. No, I’m going to her, where is she?”
Matteo steps forward and says softly, “Follow me.”
I watch them head off and then feel immediately irritated as Mrs Johnson says in a stupid girly voice, “Maybe we can have that dance you owe me.”
“No.”
I turn around and leave her standing looking after me with a furious expression and the first person I see is Sebastian Stone who nods coolly. “Mr. Moretti, congratulations on your wedding.”
He doesn’t like me; he never has and doesn’t even try to disguise it, so I say in a firm voice. “We need to talk.”
He nods and follows me outside a short distance away from the party, and as the silence surrounds us, I take another cigarette from my jacket and offer one to him. “No thanks, I don’t smoke.”
He looks at me with the smug pity of a man who looks down on those with a weakness, and it irritates me because he’s right to do so. Tossing the cigarette away, I snap the case shut and put it in my pocket. “You’re a wise man, Sebastian which is why I’m confused.”
“About what?”
“My new wife. You were her fiancé for five years and yet, to my knowledge, never wanted her in the first place. How can I admire a man who’s a fool?”
His eyes flash angrily and he snaps, “Because it was never my choice. You see Mr. Moretti, it’s all very well getting what you want, but it’s what you do with it when you get it that counts. I never wanted Anastasia, I was made to agree to marry her and present an image to the world of the happy couple. We were never that couple, as I’m sure you will understand. You see, you are taking up where I left off and let me tell you it won’t end well. That poor woman will be destroyed even more than she is already because a person can’t live without love, Mr. Moretti, no matter how much you think they can.”
“Love.”
I almost spit the word to the ground to join my cigarette. “What makes you think I want love. I never have and never will. You see, that’s where we’re different, Sebastian. You were in love and lost it. It’s all you could think about. You wanted it back, and so you agreed to that farce of an engagement to bide your time. Don’t lecture me on ruining a young girl’s life because you’ve walked in my shoes.”
“I had no choice.”
His voice raises an octave and I stare at him coolly. “We all have choices in life and Anastasia has made hers. Don’t worry about her life because she will never want for a better one. I called you out here to warn you.”
I relish the look in his eye as he faces me with a stony expression as his name suggests. “You will stay away from my wife now and in the future. You are her sister’s boyfriend, partner, fiancé, call it what you like but you will never touch my wife again, do I make myself clear?”
“Touch her, what the fuck are you talking about?”
“Earlier today you touched my wife and kissed her on the cheek.”
“As a fucking greeting, are you mad?”
Feeling my eyes flash, I step toward him and love the way he stands his ground facing me with a hard expression. I move within an inch of him and he doesn’t flinch, which makes me respect him a little more. Then I whisper darkly, “I repeat, you never touch my wife again because you haven’t earned the right. You destroyed that woman and if you touch her once more, I will destroy you. We may be business partners, Mr. Stone and possibly brothers-in-law in the future, but we will never be friends. So, stay away from my wife because I have no loyalty and you don’t want to discover what I mean by that.”
Shaking his head, Sebastian laughs bitterly, “Now I know the rumors are true, you are a heartless bastard.”
Straightening up, I nod. “I never pretended to be anything else. Now, I must be returning to my guests, thank you for coming, Mr. Stone.”
I leave him standing and head back inside, keen to catch up with a few more business associates. However, I only have one thought on my mind - wrapping this show up quickly so I can get back to the real reason I did all of this—my blushing bride.
10
ANASTASIA
I’m still sitting on the bed when I hear, “Ana, where are you?”
“I’m in here.”
My heart leaps as Angel rushes into the room, looking so concerned it brings tears to my eyes. She rushes across and sits beside me where Tobias sat before and hugs me close. “What did he do?”
I stare at her in surprise. “Nothing, why?”
She exhales with relief and says angrily, “I don’t know, there’s something so off about that man. I thought maybe…”
Reaching out, I grasp her hand tightly and say softly, “He’s done nothing. In fact, he hasn’t put a foot wrong all day. You know, if anything, he’s surprised me.”
“In what way?”
“I don’t know, I suppose I was expecting a monster. I’m not stupid and heard the rumors about him. I’ve seen the press coverage and believed every word but to me…”
“Yes?”
“Well, he’s proven to be the perfect gentleman.”
Angel looks at me in disbelief and I laugh. “Hard to believe I know but he has.”
My ankle throbs and I wince with the pain and she looks concerned. Lifting my dress, I note the huge ugly bruise that’s forming and kick off my heels in disgust. “Remind me to never wear heels like this again.”
I wince and she laughs—a little.
Looking around, she whistles in appreciation. “This place is impressive.”
I grin. “You could say that.”
“Have you looked around yet?”
“No, I’ve just sat on this comfy bed and to be honest, would be happy to stay here all night, I’m exhausted.”
Angel looks worried. “You will be ok, won’t you?”
I’m not so sure, but plaster a fake smile on my face. “Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”
She looks a little nervous and I say softly, “Listen, what happened with Sebastian is in the past. We all know it was an impossible situation and one that was out of our hands. He never loved me and I was in love with the dream. I wanted what you had and thought when you left, I could slot into your place and he would want me like that. He never did—no one ever has, and this…”
I wave my hand around, “Is a compromise worth having.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Excuse me.” I see the look on her face and she appears upset. Taking my hand, she squeezes it tightly. “Nothing compares to finding love, Ana, not all the riches in the world can compensate for that. I want you to find your prince, not the poor substitute. How can you be happy if you never find love? You may enjoy what wealth brings for a little while, but then you will quickly tire of it. You’ll become disillusioned and bitter, and that’s when the rot seeps into the cracks and starts to tear you apart. Tobias Moretti is not a man capable of love—it’s obvious. He may desire you physically, but I doubt he has the capacity to know what love really means. You have never found it and are settling for a poor second.”
“It’s too late now.” I laugh bitterly. “I’ve made my choice and we’re surrounded by it.”
I lay my head on her shoulder and she wraps a protective arm around me. “Don’t worry, Angel, I’ve trained for this all my life. I’ll be ok. He’s not so bad, anyway, and has promised he’ll look after me if I play my part. And I will, because it’s all I know. Even as kids, I tried to be the perfect daughter. I did what I was told to and never questioned it. When I was told to marry Sebastian, I did that too because I have always wanted to please. Even now I’m going with it because it’s the end of a long painful road. Now I’m married I can stop looking and concentrate on doing what makes me happy instead.”
“And what will make Ana happy?”
Angel rubs my shoulder and I say lightly, “Looking around this fuck off room will make me happy. Come on, let’s see what he’s got.”
The atmosphere shifts as we revert back to the sisters we were many years ago.
Ignoring my throbbing ankle, I pull her from the bed and we start exploring the palatial room.
Through the door in the corner is the biggest bathroom I have ever seen. We both share an excited look as we take in the white marble and chrome fittings of a bathroom that looks as if it’s never been used. A roll top bath stands proudly against a huge window, and Angel jumps in and stretches out with contentment. “I could live in this bath tub alone.”
I giggle and run in and out of the walk-in shower and gasp. “This is amazing.”
Sinking my face into a huge fluffy white towel, I revel in the warmth it provides as I snatch it from the heated rail.
We open the cupboards and see every lotion and potion a girl could need and I squeal with excitement as I share a little sample with my sister and we breathe in the heavenly scent.
Racing through another door, I gasp in delight as I find myself in the biggest walk-in closet I have ever seen. Wall to wall cupboards hide more clothes than I have ever owned in my life and mine are hanging beside new dresses, sweaters, trousers and coats all in their protective wrapping. Angel squeals as she reveals a whole wall of shoes and matching handbags and pulls open glass drawers that hold delicate pieces of lingerie, soft and silken to the touch.
We explore further and pull out slimline velvet-lined boxes of glittering necklaces and bracelets, and I have never seen anything like it. Soft lighting creates a calming atmosphere, and deep white scatter rugs soothe my aching feet.
“What’s through there?”
Angel points to another door in the corner and I shrug. “Open it and see.”
As she does, we walk through and my heart thumps as I see a room much like the man who owns it. An identical closet to mine, but this is all man. Darker wood cabinets hide the secrets of the man I married. Impeccable Italian suits, mainly black, sit proudly on hangers and starched shirts of every color hang like soldiers with not a crease in sight.
Angel whispers, “We shouldn’t be in here.”
I nod and back away, almost as if I’m backing away from the man himself.
We reach the sanctuary of my room and she looks at me with concern. “Um… honey.”
I know what she’s about to say and wish she wouldn’t voice what is now very apparent. “It appears that you are sharing this room, are you ok with that?”
My heart starts pounding and I laugh nervously. “I’m sure you’re wrong. Maybe there was another door we never saw to his own suite of rooms. He told me I’d have my own. Maybe this was his and he’s moved elsewhere.”
Angel doesn’t look convinced and I share her concern. His things were also in the bathroom and his closet is set off mine. Maybe I’m wrong, I must be because he promised I’d have my own room. Then again, the thought of sharing this space with such a man is suddenly not an unpleasant one. I shock myself by suddenly feeling quite heated at the thought of it. Am I expected to share a bed with my new husband when he promised me my own room? I’m guessing I am because I saw the look in his eye when he placed me on this bed and it makes my heart beat faster and my legs tremble. Tobias Moretti looked at me like the master of all he surveys and I am no different to anything else in this house—this room. I am one of his possessions—he owns me and I fell right into his trap and lack the experience to know what the hell to do about it.
11
TOBIAS
An hour later, I instruct Matteo to wrap this up and make sure everyone leaves because I’m not wasting a moment more of my time. I have somewhere else I’d much rather be and can’t think of anything else.
As I head back to the house, Sophia follows me and sighs heavily. “Thank god that’s over, what made you put us through that.”
“That, my dearest sister, was my fucking wedding, show some respect.”
“Oh, is that what it was, forgive me, but don’t weddings usually involve two people who love each other? Don’t dress up this business arrangement as a wedding, Tobias, we all know why you really married Anastasia and it wasn’t because you love her.”
We reach the back of the house and I snarl, “What I do is my business. If I want to marry, I will, and there’s nothing you can do about it. I have my reasons and they’re mine to know.”
“No, Tobias, your reasons affect every single one of us who trail after you and obey your commands. You’re wrong to do this and you know it. Why drag a poor innocent girl into this—family? You’ll destroy her in seconds and you’re better than that.”
I take a deep breath because right now I want to kill this irritating woman, but she’s all I’ve got, so I measure my response carefully.
Sighing, I turn to face her and say evenly, “What’s your problem?”
“Excuse me?”
“Your problem. Since the moment you found out about my plans, you’ve been bitching about it. I thought you’d be pleased to have another woman around the place. I thought you’d be happy that I had the distraction and I thought you’d be on my side because you’re the only family I have left.”
She shakes her head and I see the emotion in her eyes as she leans back against the wall and sighs. “I want you to be happy, god knows I want it more than anything but this—it’s not right. You’ve turned into a machine and you think you can control everything, even love.”
“Who said anything about love?”
She steps toward me and takes my arm. “You need love, Tobias. I need love. We all need it and you have made it your business to cancel any love in our lives because you can’t deal with the pain it brings.”
“Enough!”
I turn away because this conversation is over as far as I’m concerned. Her voice follows me inside. “Please, I’m begging you, set the poor girl free, it’s not fair on either of you.”
I slam the door and stride to my room, and I hope for their sakes nobody steps in my way. Love—she knows nothing. Love is the greatest weapon that can slay a man to the bone. It strips him bare and leaves him with nothing. Love destroys an otherwise strong man and renders him an idiot, and there is no room in my life for love—ever. Sophia knows this, they all know what love did and she dares preach to me about letting it in again. I will never love again and will spend my life hardening my heart against it. I don’t need it and I don’t want it and it concerns me to think she does.
As I reach the stairs to my private suite of rooms, I stand for a while to calm down. Fucking sister, she’s ruined my good mood with her talk of love.
Thinking of the woman waiting in my bed soothes my anger—a little. She intrigues me. So vulnerable and afraid, and yet she has a strength inside her that has carried her through life. Every knock she’s taken, she stood right up again and carried on. It must have hurt being used by her parents all her life. Given to two men to play a part, with no regard for her feelings at all. That was what drew me to Anastasia Johnson in the first place, and when I discovered the woman inside her, I liked what I saw very much. Sophia’s wrong, Anastasia is perfect for me in every way and where I was interested in her for only one thing before, that changed when I saw her at the window in her wedding gown. Now I want her in every sense of the word, and I’m not one to hang around.
Feeling calmer, I head toward my bedroom. Her sister left with Stone an hour ago, so I expect she is settled in by now.
As I walk into my personal space, I note the subdued lighting and the sense of calm all around. I feel impatient to see her and head to my bedroom, hoping she is still wearing the dress because I want to peel every delicious layer of silk off that body that begs me to come and get it and I want to take my time.
As I walk into the room, she is standing by the window with a glass of what looks like champagne in her hand and without turning around says, “You promised I’d have my own room.”
The sight of her standing with her back to me, with the silk fabric clinging to her curves, does something strange to me that I have never felt before. I want this woman more than anything I’ve ever wanted before, and I’ve wanted a lot. Women throw themselves at me and it’s no fun anymore, but this—this is different and I like every minute of it.
“You have your own room.”
I speak softly as if I’m afraid I’ll scare the exotic creature who stands before me and as she turns, the blood roars to my cock as I see the goddess standing before me. The diamonds glitter and her chest heaves and those baby blue eyes are filled with anger and disappointment. I can’t stop staring at her because I have never seen the like of her before and she sets the glass down and says defiantly, “Then you’re in my room.”
