I'd just come out of the shower, and as I wear my robe, I hear a knock on the door. Luke hadn't fully moved into the bedroom as per my request, so I wondered if he could be the one knocking. Squeezing the water off my wet hair, I walk to the door. I open it, a smile on my face but it drops immediately as soon as I see who it is. I try to close the door, but he forces himself in on time and shuts the door.
"You need to stop sneaking up on me every time, for God's sake!" I lock the door with the keys. "What if Luke was here? What would you tell him?"
"I know he's not here, that's why I took the opportunity to come and see you, my love." He says. "Natty," and I close my eyes. He gave me that nickname. He caresses my cheeks and although I try to remove his hand, I end up caressing his hand on my cheek.
"You miss this, don't you? I know you do." He says, as he snakes his left hand around my waist. "Why did you kiss him? Did I upset you? Did you do that to make me jealous?" He asks, as my lips part. There was no doubt that I still had feelings for Rocky, but my love for Luke was greater and it grew stronger everyday.
"He's my husband." I say as I open my eyes. I jerk his hand off my body and move a few steps back. "It would be best if you left, Luke." I say, looking at him straight in the eyes. "Your presence here— he interjects, "My presence here does what? Makes you quiver? Makes you so uneasy and uncomfortable? Makes your lips part when I'm close to you? Does my presence make you desire me, Natty?"
"The only man I desire is Luke, and the sooner you understand that, the safer you and your hotels will be."
"Is that a threat, Natalie?"
"It's not a threat, it's a warning. Luke will do anything to keep me by his side, I don't know what that'll be, but I do know he won't stop until he knows you're far away from me—if he ever finds out."
"I'm not leaving here without you, Natalie. Remember that."
"I'm not leaving here with you, Rocky. Remember that."
***
talk her out of
aunt, I'm not surprised by what my mother does anymore. You should get used to it." I adjust my shades and try to stop my hair from flying
the Luxé Grandeur-
did she get that kind of
Natalie. Luke gave her so much money
him for so much money, but why did he oblige? And, aunt, I'm sure that's not even all of it, since she's spending so much on the soirée. He must've given her so much more because mom might like living lavishly,
***
Two? Four? Or was it a hundred?" I ask, as
understand, what are you talking
her? Are you still paying for me? Am I still an object you
what?" I ask. I continue,
to have a
For me? And you
gets me even more angrier. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? Why
understand that things aren't the same as before. We're in this, together. Your
welling up in the corners of my eyes. "It just makes me feel so insecure, like another deal is bei— He interjects, "No. don't say it. I admit,
nod, "I want to decide if you give her or not, I
dress and plays with my hair. I kiss his chest. "Did you
He asks as he continues to take
really weird." I say as I giggle. "Are we
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