Accidental Bride by Cristina Lollabrigida

ChapterFive

The British Airwaysstaff was attentive to the honeymooning couple in the first-class luxury suites. British heritage met contemporary design, giving Drake the space to comfortably stretch out his body and sleep most of the nineteen-hour flight.

Before falling asleep, he overheard the flight attendant pestering Alessandra, asking for details of their wedding. His wife took liberties to avoid admitting it was a shit show. She didn’t realize Drake was silently cataloging her description of her dream wedding—everything from the music and flowers to the reception’s color scheme.

Her recount made him feel awful. They had avoided the reception so he wouldn’t look like a fool in front of his friends and family. In doing so, he’d robbed Alessandra of the experience. She deserved better than that.

For his honeymoon, Drake rented a bungalow on a private island. The smell of salty sea air and sunshine eased some of his tension. Unfortunately, he was honeymooning with the wrong woman. He subtly played with the still-foreign, 24-karat gold wedding band—with inlays from a Buffalo Trace whiskey barrel and meteorite dust—on his finger.

A complimentary bottle of champagne on ice with a letter expressing the resort’s felicitations to Mr. and Mrs. Walker awaited them upon arrival. A tray of plump juicy strawberries with whipped cream and chocolate dip was arranged on a platter, ready for their enjoyment next to a crystal vase of fresh-cut, long-stemmed roses. Twinkling tea lights were spread across every surface, adding a touch of romance to the atmosphere along with strewn red flower petals.

Towels were arranged in origami swans surrounded by a flower-petal heart and more petals that spelled out Mr. & Mrs. on the king-size bed. A large gift basket containing matching robes, slippers, flavored lubes, and other sensual goodies included a note wishing them a bountiful life together.

“It’s beautiful!” Alessandra exclaimed.

Drake grunted in response.

“There’s only one bed.”

He cocked his head in response to her furrowed brow. “Are you afraid of me, bella?”

“N… no…” she said hesitantly.

“Maybe you should be.” He lifted her chin with his fingers and searched her wide green eyes. “Kneel on the bed, Alessandra.”

Alessandra’s breath hitched at his command. That’s right, dolcezza. I’m your daddy now. Despite their thirteen-year age difference, she seemed just as taken with him as he was with her. As they began exploring their intense sexual chemistry, her desire would cement their bond, not his.

She took off her shoes and quickly crawled onto the bed to obey. Drake watched her settle in position, spreading her knees and resting with her palms facing up, presenting herself to him. She belonged among the rose petals, naked, with her hair splayed across the white pillows.

“Bellissima. You’re a work of art.”

Drake brushed his hand across her cheek and twirled an auburn lock around his finger. He wanted to bury his nose in her hair and inhale deeply, welcoming her sensual scent among the roses and salty air.

“I paid you a compliment, Alessandra. What do you say?” Her breath hitched when he pinched a nipple through her top.

“Thank you, sir.”

“One day, I will put a collar on your graceful neck. Would you like that, Alessandra? Would you like me to become your Master?” He caressed her neck with featherlight teasing touches.

“Yes, sir.” She glanced up at Drake. “What about your fiancée? Did you collar her as well?”

“Ex-fiancée, and no, she wasn’t submissive to me.”

“But you loved her. And you’ll never love me,” Alessandra whispered.

Drake wasn’t sure if she meant for him to hear, but he responded anyway. “No, there won’t ever be love between us. But there can be hot, dirty, mind-blowing sex.”

His eyes tracked the tear that rolled down her cheek. “Maybe the next man I marry will love me.”

She sounded so heartbroken and wilted before his eyes. Drake wasn’t sure how to respond. He took the coward's way out and pretended he hadn’t heard her. What did he know of love anyway? He’d proposed to a woman he didn’t love for his public image. There was no competition for his heart.

Marrying Alessandra was a mistake. Being seen as a jilted groom would’ve been better than the situation he created. A candidate to become an assistant U.S. attorney caught up in a marriage scandal would cost him everything. His lust entangled with his better sense, and he willingly fell for the bait and switch. He didn’t even hesitate to say, ‘I do’, and he planned to punish her for it.

Unfortunately for Drake, Alessandra sat eager and willing to please him. None of this was her fault, yet he hated her for his weakness. He’d meant it when he’d promised to protect her from Tony and Luca. But who would protect her from him?

“Put on your suit, Alessandra. We’re going to the beach.” Her head snapped up. She studied him, attempting to gauge his sincerity.

Drake hoped a change of location and activity would improve the somber atmosphere between them. He helped her off the bed, and she retreated to the bathroom. After changing into board shorts, Drake opened the suite's French doors and stepped onto the private deck. He leaned against the railing and watched the waves crash against the sandy beach while waiting for his wife to appear.

Drake’s eyes practically bugged out of his head when Alessandra sauntered out of the bathroom in a strappy rose-gold bikini. Her breasts threatened to spill from the cups, and her ass begged for his hand again. His shorts felt too tight as he watched her pull on a black embroidered mesh Kimono, saying a silent goodbye to her curves as she rendered him speechless without even trying. Her beauty enchanted him as she piled her loose hair over her head and banded it.

Alessandra appeared younger once she was devoid of makeup. Her freckled skin, along with the red hair and green eyes, made him wonder what her mother looked like because she looked nothing like Tony. He forced himself to blink a few times and smile when she began squirming under his scrutiny.

“I’ll race you to the water,” Drake said playfully.

Alessandra accepted the challenge and took off like a shot. Not to be outdone, Drake followed close behind. Despite the hindrance of the sun-baked, soft sand, he managed to catch her and lifted her over his shoulder. He slapped her ass, and she shrieked with laughter. His heart flipped at the sound he heard for the first time. Her breasts bounced off him, and she continued laughing as he waded calf-deep into the ocean.

“Put me down, you animal,” she giggled.

“As you wish, principessa.” Drake dropped her unceremoniously into the chilly, shallow water.

“Ahh!” she shrieked, rounding to splash him in retaliation. “You’re going to be sorry!”

They played in the water, chasing each other, splashing, and laughing together. It was the freest Drake had felt in a very long time. When Alessandra turned all moon-eyed at him, he almost fell for her. His eyes dropped to her full lips and he wondered what it would be like to kiss her without pretense. Would she lean into him and submit freely?

“Let’s head back. I made dinner reservations for us, and we should change.”

“Yes, sir.”

Dinner for two was served on a private balcony overlooking the ocean. The tide rolling in was the perfect accompaniment to the sounds of chatter and clinking silverware from the busy bistro. The chef had prepared a special five-course meal for the newlyweds.

“It’s beautiful here! I know I’m not the one you originally planned to share this with, but I’m thankful to be here with you.”

Drake couldn’t begrudge Alessandra for enjoying herself. Escaping their reality for a few days was exactly what they needed. He should keep her at arm's length to lessen the sting of divorce, but he leaned closer as she spoke.

“Raise a glass with me, bella. To hating each other a little less today and the eventual disillusionment of our marriage.”

“Cheers,” she said nonchalantly. She smiled softly as she took a sip of the robust red.

They enjoyed a nice dinner together as the sun sank low on the horizon and a cool breeze came off the water. Alessandra was unsuccessful in suppressing a shiver.

“Are you cold?” he asked, noting the goosebumps that spread across her skin.

“I’m fine.” Her chin lifted in defiance.

Drake continued watching her as she finished her wine. Her eyes seemed sad, though the rest of her face was unreadable. He wondered if she was fighting the same attraction he was.

“Come on, wife. It’s time to head to bed.”

Drake wrapped his arm around Alessandra’s waist. She leaned against him as they walked back to the bungalow. It felt too right, which only confused him more.  Her proximity made it hard for him to clear his mind. He shouldn’t want her, but could he let her go?

Drake needed to uphold the law, first and foremost. If he let her too close, he would end up begging her to ruin everything.