"I should go take a shower," I say, a nervous smile forming on my lips, and Enzo steps back without saying a single word.
I hold my loosely strapped gown up, lest it falls as I walk to the bedroom and I swear I can feel Enzo's eyes drilling small holes on my back.
I release a breath that I wasn't aware I was holding when I step in the room, closing the door behind me and I let my gown fall carelessly around my feet.
I am in a white backless corset and a pink lacey garter belt lingerie that I had worn under my wedding dress.
Ooh, and I am still in my six inches pair of heels.
I did put on so much effort to look sexy for Matt but it was all for naughts.
I just wasted my precious time to please an asshole that doesn't even deserve it.
Have been having fantasies about this particular day for a very long time and I even anticipated Matt to literally throw me on the bed when he sees me in this.
A bride dressed in some sexy lingerie should be the first gift a man gets from his wife. It sets a romantic mood for the first night as a married couple and I was all ready for it.
I thought we would pop some champagne, toss to our union, and consummate our marriage.
I thought we would make love the entire night.
I didn't expect any drama and I never saw all of this coming. I was totally not braced for a heartbreak on my wedding day. I wasn't supposed to end up in a hotel with a total stranger.
I step out of the dress, get rid of the shoe, and paddle on the marble floor to the bathroom. I am tempted to run a warm bath first, but I don't think it's what I need at the moment.
So I turn on the faucet and I stand under the cascading cold water, still in my lingerie.
I shut my eyes as droplets of the ice-cold water hit my skin lightly and I let my mind drift away.
Minutes later, I wrap a towel around my body before walking out of the bathroom.
That is the longest time I have ever spent in a shower.
I just stood there reminiscing about the best moments I have had with Matt. The times that he made me feel special, when he promised to love me always and forever.
I remembered the vow he made today and I remembered that moment when all of this changed.
The minute Wendy's words sank in my mind.
Enzo is at the doorstep staring at the wedding dress on the floor and he has a Forever Twenty 1 shopping bag in his hand.
He just walked in to bring me the clothes that he actually bought for me.
"Took you long enough." He says, getting the dress from the floor.
"Not more than thirty minutes I bet?" I ask, fastening the towel around me when I feel his eyes boring into my skin.
"Thirty-five minutes to be precise. You scared me and I had to come check on you."
"You don't think that I am capable of committing suicide because some asshole broke my heart, do you?"
"I don't even know your name, I don't think I know what you are capable of."
"Joanna Williams. And no, I can't hurt myself." I am already in too much pain as it is.
He walks in further, his eyes intensely on me and he places the dress and the shopping bag on the king-size bed.
His eyes linger on my naked thighs for a freaking mini-second and I consciously attempt to adjust my towel. Unfortunately, it is not long enough.
I don't judge him though, men stare a lot.
I sit at the edge of the bed and a tear rolls down my cheek when I take the gown in my hands.
I feel so miserable.
I hug it to my chest and a lump forms in my throat. I don't think I can endure the heartaches anymore. I can't hold back the tears any longer, I am going to break down sooner than later.
I really wanted to be strong. I didn't want to shed even a single tear for Matt, he doesn't even deserve it.
"Hey?" Enzo whispers, tipping my face slowly to look at him and another fat tear rolls down when our eyes meet.
He cusses under his breath as he squats right in front of me, resting his arms on my naked thigh.
I am too messed up to concentrate on the skin to skin contact between us but my heartbeat ratchets up.
He flickers the tear away with his thumb and he cups my face in his hands.
"I loved him, Enzo," I mumble and he inhales sharply, almost furiously.
"He is not worth your tears, Joanna." He tells me looking directly into my eyes. "He doesn't deserve someone like you and I think you just dodged a bullet."
"I can't help it." I sob.
"I am not going to tell you to stop because I don't know how deep the shit was." He rubs my jaw softly with his thumb and I can literally see the compassion in his eyes. "So cry. Until the pain stops consuming you."
Another tear falls on my cheek and when he pulls me into his arms, I break down completely.
He doesn't fondle my back, he doesn't attempt to make me stop...he just offers a shoulder for me to lean on as I concentrate on shedding every bitter tear. The more I cry the lighter my heart feels.
"Water?" He asks me when I calm down a few minutes later.
"K..." I attempt to talk but my voice is too hoarse so I just nod.
"I will be right back. In the meantime put on the shortest dress, we are going to a club."
My face lights up instantly. Alcohol and music is exactly what I need after the crappy day I have had today.
"You and I will have so much fun." I shriek.
He smirks at me.
"And wash your face while at it, you look like shit." I chuckle as I get the shopping bag and he walks out.
Enzo has great taste in fashion and style. I love the things that he bought for me; the lingerie, the dresses, and the shoes.
I am torn between the red skater dress and the black straight dress.
"That is the shortest." He points at the black one as he hands me a glass of water. "You are welcome by the way." He smirks at me before exiting.
**♦**♦**♦**
"You are such a rebel, I like it," Enzo comments when I step out of my hotel room in the red dress and I smirk.
"Is that a compliment? Should I say thank you?" I ask with half narrowed eyes and he chuckles.
"It is, you look hot in that dress though."
He can't seem to take his eyes off me.
"All thanks to you," I say glancing at him and...
How did I not notice this?
Dude's insanely hot.
He is in a black pair of jeans, a white t-shirt and a black pair of sneakers.
I didn't notice how handsome he is until now, and I am wondering if I was partially blind.
I guess I was way too distracted but now I totally understand why the receptionist swooned.
He has the most amazing dark eyes I have ever seen. A prominent jawline that's full of stubbles and at the moment I can't find words to describe his masculine body.
"You are staring?" He has a smug smirk on.
"You wish," I say, leading him to the elevator.
"She is a rebel and she has an ego." He comments when the elevator dings and when I make to step out, he pulls me back.
I turn around to face him and our eyes lock. My heartbeat picks up when he takes a step forward to stand incredibly closer to me.
I don't know what I was expecting but I suck in a breath when he undoes my chigon and my loose curls fall freely on my shoulders.
"It is going to be a wild night." He tells me as he steps out.
"Sure?"
"I promise." I smile as I follow him to his car. "You are allowed to get freaky, just don't fuck anyone."
"I can't promise you that," I tell him as I get in the car and he shakes his head as he rounds the car to the driver's seat.
It is not yet 8:00 pm but the place is almost packed.A few people are on the dance floor dancing to Camp Mulla's 'Party Don't Stop' but the majority are on the tables busy enjoying their drinks.There are a few empty tables but Enzo takes me straight to the bar and he pulls a barstool for me like the gentleman that he is.He proceeds to sit next to me and I roam my eyes around as he summons the barmaid."What is your favorite drink?" He asks, placing his car key and his phone on the counter.I don't even waste a beat. "Henny."I fucking love Hennessey!Matt introduced me to Henny on our very first date and I swear it was love at first shot.
CHAPTER 7My left arm goes automatically around Enzo the minute he lies on the bed next to me and he sucks in a deep breath.My hand moves on its own accord, fingertips brushing along the contours and the ridges of his well-sculpted chest, and I can feel the vibrant power emanating from the muscles beneath it.I pause my movement for a second to feel the throb of his heart and its beating furiously, at an insane speed.I slowly run my fingers down to his abbs and when I try to get into his pants he quickly holds my hand captive with a single hand and he brings it to rest on his chest.I try to pry from his tight grip but I end up wincing in pain.Dude is strong as fuck.I give up and I decide to use my tongue instead, he wi
He doesn't have the decency to ask if he can come inside. He just walks past me like he owns the entire place, leaving me at the doorstep.I feel the adrenaline surging through me and I am literally shaking with rage.My fists clenching and unclenching, so ready to punch something. My nostrils are flaring, my breaths rapid and my jaw is so set.I am trying really hard to bridle my temper right now and believe me, it is taking every ounce of myself control.I just want to pounce on his neck and choke the life out of him. I am so fucking tempted and I am afraid if I turn to look at him I won't have it in me to stop.Where in hell did he get the audacity to show up in my hotel room even after the pain that he has caused me?Not that it would have changed anything, but he should have at least given me time to heal.The wound is still fresh and so
"You will fucking pay for this, mother fucker!" Matt shouts, bumping the locked door from the outside.The sound of his voice makes me so sick and so disgusted."You should leave, sir." A guy I assume to be the bodyguard tells Matt politely."I will make you pay for humiliating me."Poor guy. He is such a wuss.I would never have the guts to face my wife if anyone humiliated me that way in her presence."I am so scared," Enzo says, not too loud and I chuckle."You should come with me!" The guy orders Matt."Don't you fucking touch me, I can find my way out." He shouts at him. "I am Matthew fucking Bryant and no one messes with a Bryant....." His voice drifts away and I heave a sigh of relief."So a Bryant is allowed to mess with anyone but not the other way round?"
I open my eyes and stare at the ceiling for a transient minute, then I train my eyes to my raised legs.I am lying on the cold marble floor half-naked, my legs are elevated above the heart's level using a few throw pillows and nanny is kneeling beside me.What the hell happened?"Thank God you are awake. I was going to dial 911." She tells me, placing her right hand on my forehead to feel my body temperature like I am suddenly two. "You gave me quite a scare."And she looks every bit of it. Scared, appalled, and shell-shocked.I shut my eyes tight to try and remember anything, something...Enzo dropped me a few minutes ago, I walked in the house and nanny helped me with the shopping bag and then everything else blurs."What happened?"My voice is a hoarse weak whisper.I feel so confused and
"I can't lose them, dad," I sob, shaking my head continuously. "I can't lose anyone else, granny died last month, and I don't want them to die on me too." My voice is shaky, doleful and so frail.God! I feel so broken, so fucking low, so overwhelmed, and I am so desperate for a miracle at the moment."You are not going to lose them, no one is going to die, love." He says, squeezing me incredibly closer and I wrap my arms around his neck, clinging to him so tight.It's been a pretty rough weekend for me and being enclosed in my dad's protective arms feels so good.This sense of security and love makes me feel so warm and safe.His embrace is my temporary haven."I am so broken, and if I lose mom or Kelly-""It is going to be fine, I assure you," Dad tells me and I smile despite everything.He is trying so har
“You have medical insurance for your car, right?” Dad asks hopefully.I exhale sharply and then I shake my head.I wouldn't be staring at this shitty paper in my hands so blankly, and the asshole wouldn't have paid the upfront since medical insurance covers everything.Okay, maybe not everything in such an expensive hospital but it would have covered at least half of the bill."Jo?" Dad calls, raising an eyebrow at me.“I haven't paid my monthly premium for the last three months, dad,” I say, raking my fingers through my hair and then I swallow dryly.If only I had let Matt help me clear my granny's hospital bill last month, I wouldn't be in such a fix right now.But I am independent as fuck and I really hate it when a man thinks that he can control me just because he is helping me with my bills.Matt struck me as that kind of a per
"Hey. Talk to me?" Rick snaps me out of my study and I heave a sigh as I turn to face him.He takes a few steps closer and leans on the guard rail, looking at me perceptively.He has all of his attention on me.I blink severally when tears well up in my already puffy eyes and I take a long deep breath."How urgent is surgery after an accident?" I ask, and the crack in my voice is back, I sound so desperate and low and very broken."It depends, what kind of surgery are we talking about?" He asks me and I shake my head."I have no idea." That twerp of a doctor didn't tell us shit. He was so arrogant and very ignorant. "Lets say major surgeries."He looks at me for a long second, like he is trying to read my mind and then he inhales sharply."There are several major surgeries," he pauses for a while, probably expecting me to add something t