Accidental Bride by Cristina Lollabrigida

ChapterSeven

Alessandra restedher head against the cool tile wall and closed her eyes, waiting for her legs to solidify. She purposefully took her time to allow Drake the opportunity to slip out now that their marital duties were performed. He’d delivered on his promise of a hot and dirty experience. There was no shame in the act, but she was determined to avoid the awkward what-comes-next conversation.

When she exited the bathroom an hour later, her eyes widened with shock. Drake stood on the patio and turned to smile as she joined him. There was no mistaking his woodsy scent mingling with the salty sea air. She wanted to wrap herself in a blanket of its comfort. His wavy hair gently brushed against his forehead—the same hair she had held onto when he was on his knees. She wanted to brush it from his forehead and smiled at her deviously-handsome husband.

She took a moment to appreciate the view beyond their bungalow. The patio gave way to a stretch of white sand that was their own private beachfront. The water was so blue and stretched to meet the horizon. Gentle waves rolled against the shore. Alessandra decided to capture a bit of sand in a vial to bring back a tangible memory from their honeymoon.

“How was your shower, bella?” Drake asked softly.

“It was good, thank you.”

“What are you all dressed up for?” He gestured to her outfit, a pair of short-shorts and a tank top.

“I’m going out,” she said, pouting and crossing her arms.

“Where are you going?”

Her smile wavered, and she spoke through gritted teeth. “Why do you suddenly give a damn? You’ve ignored me for days.”

He sighed and pushed his hair off his forehead. “You’re right. I’ve been an asshole. But I hoped we could spend the day together and get to know each other.”

“That’s what you said you wanted to do before coming on this trip.” Alessandra looked at him momentarily before making her way toward the door.

“Please, stop.” She hesitated with her hand on the knob. “This whole situation has me fucked up in knots. I took it out on you, and it’s not fair. Can you please forgive me?”

“I’ll forgive you under one condition.” She punctuated with her finger.

He perked up. “Name it, Alessandra. If it’s within my power to grant, it’s yours.”

“Stop taking your shit out on me. We’re in this marriage together. I’m not your enemy, but I can be your friend. We should try and make the best of our time together.”

Drake moved toward her, holding out his hand. She softened at his gesture. He took her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers.

“You’re right. This is your father’s fault. It’s been hard to separate you from him, but I promise to try. I’ll work to earn your forgiveness if you allow me the chance to prove my sincerity.” He looked at their joined hands and stroked her knuckles with his thumb. “Can you tell me where you’re going? I want to join you.”

She smiled brightly and opened the door, dragging Drake out of the room. “Come with me. I promise it’ll be fun.”

They walked down to the docks, where a longshoreman showed them a speedboat she had rented. Drake’s mouth hung open when Alessandra effortlessly climbed onboard.

“What are you doing, bella?”

“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of being on the water,” she teased, looking over her shoulder.

“Quite the opposite. I’ll be the captain.”

“How chivalrous of you! Or is it sexist?”

“Tell me something, honestly. Do you think it’s sexy watching your man take charge?”

Alessandra’s eyes traced the muscles of his chest that strained beneath his polo and the biceps that bulged out of his sleeves as he moved around the boat with practiced ease. Her belly clenched as she imagined the boat rocking them as he moved on top of her.

Drake laughed and turned back to untie the boat. “That’s what I thought.”

Despite the odds, Alessandra grew to care about her husband. The man he portrayed himself thus far in their marriage and the courtroom wasn’t the real Drake. She silently vowed to allow him time to let his guard down and earn his trust.

The boat cut through the ocean, spraying water around them. Alessandra occasionally watched Drake steer the boat with ease through her Tiffany sunglasses. About half an hour from the resort, Drake cut the engine and dropped anchor. He settled close to Alessandra and stretched out his legs. The warm sun baked their skin, and the only sound around them was the gentle lulling of water against the boat.

Alessandra couldn’t stand the tension or silence any longer. “Want to go for a swim?” she asked.

She stood and seductively peeled off her clothes, giving her husband an impromptu show. Drake’s eyes burned hotter than the midday sun as they caressed every inch of her bare skin.

Alessandra swayed her hips as she stepped toward the railing. Taking a deep breath, she swung her legs over the metal bar and jumped into the crisp cool blue water. When she crested the surface, Drake was looking down from the railing.

“Come on in, hubby! The water’s refreshing!” she called up to him.

Drake quickly stripped and jumped in the water. The splash his body caused drenched her, but she laughed at his lack of grace. He grabbed her waist when he resurfaced so she couldn’t swim away. That suited her just fine, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Happy now? Was this all a ploy to get me naked?” He asked, laughing.

“I didn’t plan on taking a boat out today. But since you decided to spend the day with me, I quickly called the marina and asked if they had any rentals left. I wanted to see if my husband knew how to drive a boat.”

“There are several harbors in the state. I learned how to sail through the Lake Forest Sailing program. My family owns a yacht, and learning how to navigate a beast like that makes a simple speedboat easy. I also own a jet ski, ATV, and a snowmobile.”

“And a sports car.”

“Oh, bella, you think I only own one?” He laughed and whispered in her ear. “You haven’t seen me drive a stick yet.”

Their conversation turned into heated territory she wasn’t expecting. “You were a preppy boy growing up, weren’t you? I’m impressed.”

He shrugged noncommittally. “If I was a preppy boy, you must’ve been a goth chick.”

“I was homeschooled. My father said it was too dangerous for me, though Marcello was allowed to attend high school and college,” Alessandra said morosely.

Drake cleared his throat. “It was a great idea to take a boat out today. Thank you,” he said sincerely.

“Since you wanted to do something together, why not make it fun? It beats sitting in the bungalow alone, wondering where you’ve been for the past few days.”

Drake gazed at her meaningfully but didn’t reply. He let her go, slipping back into her broody husband. She dropped her arms from his neck, and he swam a few arm lengths away.

They returned to the boat and sunned themselves naked on the deck.

Alessandra pulled her knees to her chest. “I wanted to say how genuinely sorry I am for everything, Drake. I honestly didn’t know my father planned this.”

“You know I could lose my case due to this, Alessandra, and receive a sanction. I interviewed to become an assistant U.S. attorney. That dream won’t come true because of this scandal. Your father fucked up my life and my career.”

“I’ve already said I’m sorry. But I refuse to feel guilty that my brother may be released. He’s a good man and my best friend. I miss him.”

“He’s a criminal, Alessandra!” Drake exclaimed. “He broke the law. He may have acted on Anthony's orders, but ultimately, it was his decision. Your father and brother deserve to go to prison. Forgive me, but you will never change my mind about that. It’s my job to ensure the bad guys remain in jail.”

Alessandra hugged her legs tighter. Of course, she knew who her father and brother truly were, but they were still family. Her heart twisted over the consequences Drake faced. Pulling back layers and being vulnerable wasn’t easy for Alessandra. But she was willing to bear the pain for the sake of her partner.

“I have happy memories from early childhood, but everything changed after my mother died. I used to wish I had been born into a different family. Maybe things could’ve been different for Marcello and me.”

“Wishes are for children.” She winced and absentmindedly rubbed the scar on her wrist. “I’m sorry you were hurt, Alessandra. You didn’t deserve to be used like this.”

“Thank you, Drake. That means a lot to me.”

Drake took Alessandra’s hand and ran his thumb across the scar on her wrist. It had healed years ago, but the emotional scars left behind remained raw. Drake lowered his forehead to hers. The move was so gentle she couldn’t hold the tears back.

“Drake… don’t—”

“Shhh.”

Drake gently placed his hand on her cheek and wiped away her tears with his thumb. She’d learned to stuff everything deep down and lock it away in the dark recesses of her soul. Despite going years without shedding a tear, she suddenly found herself struggling to contain her emotions.

Alessandra froze beneath Drake’s intense gaze. Her breath caught as he leaned in slowly, like a hunter approaching a deer in the forest. Any sudden movements and reality would come crashing down to sever the fragile emotional tether they had built.

Drake pressed his lips against Alessandra’s. The kiss lacked intensity and conflict, devoid of lust or anger, like every kiss that had preceded it. It was filled with intense emotion that threatened to overwhelm them both. If left unchecked, it would burn the world around them.

Drake pulled away quickly and grabbed his clothes. Turning away to dress, his sinewy muscles stretched across his broad shoulders, erecting walls again. Alessandra reluctantly pulled her clothes on while Drake lifted anchor and started the engine.

“Would you like to have dinner with me?” Drake asked once they docked.

Alessandra hid her shock and replied, “Let me take a quick shower.”

After finishing her shower, she settled at the vanity to blow-dry her hair and apply makeup, allowing Drake to have his turn in the bathroom. Her phone chimed with a text.

Luca: I hope you aren’t banging that imbecile, Alessandra. It’s a fake marriage. You belong to me.

Alessandra: What do you want, Luca?

Luca: Is that the proper tone to strike with me? Don’t make me wash your mouth with soap or stick something else in it.

Alessandra: You’re a pig! I’m on my honeymoon. What do you want?

Luca: Marcello’s court date was changed, and your father expects you to attend. Need I remind you of what’s at stake?

Alessandra: I’ll be there. He’s my brother, after all.

Luca: Good girl. Don’t forget to behave yourself.

Alessandra quickly deleted the messages so Drake wouldn’t see them and shut the phone off.

She was about to knock on the door to see if he was ready when she overheard him.

“She doesn’t need to know…. Things are complicated…. You’re right…. I’ll be home tomorrow…. ”

She quickly moved away from the door and sat on the bed. A plume of steam escaped the bathroom as Drake opened the door.

“Is everything all right, Drake?” she asked nonchalantly.

“Of course. Are you ready for dinner?”

After a pleasant dinner, the couple returned to their room. Alessandra prepared for the last night of their honeymoon to the left of a pillow barrier. Drake frowned as she erected the barrier but climbed in anyway.

“Goodnight, Drake,” Alessandra said softly.

“Goodnight.”

Though she didn’t cry herself to sleep, she stared at the ceiling long into the night, knowing he did the same. The honeymoon left more questions than answers, leaving her to wonder where they went from there.