Chapter 16: DESIRE

Celine

“Antonio?” I mumbled against his palm as the light from the nightstand cast a glow on the man on top of me. We were laying on his bed, his hand resting beside my head. The tension in my chest seeped out, relief washing over me.

“I was trying so hard not to wake you up,” he said in a husky voice, his eyes red and sleepy. “But I just kept knocking things over.”

I lifted my hand, yanking his hand forcefully away from my mouth. “Are you drunk?” I asked, my voice dripping with surprise and annoyance. His breath stank of cigarettes and whiskey.

“I'm completely sober,” he answered with a sad chuckle, his voice surprisingly calm as he stared deeply into my eyes.

“How much did you drink exactly?” I asked, giving him a perplexed look. I'd seen him consume an unhealthy amount of Alcohol a few times but he's never been this drunk. Was this because of the parrot incident from yesterday morning?

“Just one,” he slurred his words. “Maybe two.”

“Two whole bottles?!” I exclaimed, a scoff escaping my lips. “Get off me,” I placed my hand on his chest, pushing him back. He could do whatever the hell he wanted with his life. That was none of my business.

He let me shove him aside and I rose from the bed. But before I could take two steps towards my bedside I felt his hand on my arm, pulling me back. A sharp gasp escaped my lips as he spun me around, and his masculine arms curled around my waist, driving me backwards in a flash. My back collided with the wall behind, his hand lingering firmly on my back while the other rested against the wall, just above my head.

“What are you doing?” I spat in anger, my jaw clenching.

“Why do you look at me like that?” he said softly. His eyes held a dim spark, like there was sadness hidden underneath it. “Am I really that much of a monster?”

“You're worse than that,” I answered. “You're a—”

“Jerk,” he interrupted, cutting me off. “An asshole, a control freak, a murderer, a coward, a morally gray man. I could go on and on. Every single word you throw at me is stuck right here.” He tapped the side of his head. “I could easily recite them by heart.”

“Get away from me,” I spat, uninterested in his bullshit.

“Why?” He leaned in even further, our lips barely inches apart, and I jerked back in reflex, but the wall behind left me no space to retreat. “Do I make you uncomfortable?” he whispered as his thirsty eyes slowly roamed over the red nightwear I had on; from my cleavage, to my waist, down to my thighs, then back to my eyes. He brought his lips down to my neck, his warm breath tingling against my bare skin. My breath hitched, my fingers curling in reflex.

“Antonio,” I choked out nervously, throwing my face away, but his hand caught my cheeks gently before it could turn fully, bringing it back to his. Our gaze locked, and that's when I noticed his alluring features. His hair was a hot mess, his lips moist and pink. The sleeves of his black shirt were rolled up, and two buttons were undone, giving me a glimpse of his hard chest. Even with the absence of bright light I could see the dark desire in his eyes. One that was slowly consuming me against my will.

“You drive me so mad but yet—” His words died on his lips. “Do you know how hard it is being in the same room with you and not being able to touch you? You're my wife. I should be allowed to hold you.”

“You haven't earned that right,” My words came out in a strained whisper even though I'd intended to yell. Him being this close to me was…. confusing me. Why was this even happening? I hated him. Like hate, hated him.

“You have a way of always going against me,” he remarked. “Other women would have jumped at the opportunity to get even an inch close to me.”

“Well, I'm not other women,” I blurted. The last thing I wanted was for him to notice how unsettled I was because of his presence.

“What do I have to do to make you want me as much as I want you?” he said in a seductive tone, lifting his hand slowly to my face. “Tell me.”

Yet I didn't stop him. I could just easily push him off but I didn't even attempt to for some reason. I let his hand rest on my cheeks, my heart pounding loudly in my chest that I feared he might hear it.

“What do I have to do to be able to touch you?” he muttered in a soothing tone. “To get lost in those fierce eyes.” He held my soft gaze, lifting his hand to my lips until the tip of his finger rested on it, tracing every line. “To taste these lips.” He tilted his head slowly, bringing his lips to mine.

I placed my hands on his chest to stop him, turning my face away. “You're drunk,” I blurted. “You’re clearly not in your right senses.” I tried to shove him off but he wouldn't budge.

He gripped my cheek and yanked me towards him, holding my face in place as he tried to force his lips on mine.

“Antonio!” I called out in panic, my head snapping from side to side as I tried to fight him off, but he only got more aggressive. “Stop it!” I exploded and before I could stop myself my hands flew to his cheek, the sound of the slap echoing in the quiet room.

He froze in shock for a brief second, swallowing hard as he stepped back from me.

“Even in your drunken state you still manage to be a total jerk.” I said, my jaw clenching.

“Why are you playing hard to get?” he remarked. “This wouldn't be the first time anyway.”

My forehead knitted together in confusion. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Do you really not remember me?” he asked, his tone cold. “That night by the sea?”

My head jerked back, my brows furrowing deeper. “What night by the sea?”

“You know what, forget it,” he snapped, turning around and heading towards the door.

“What night are you talking about?” My words followed him as he slipped out of the room, closing the door behind him.