33

Chiara

A loud buzzing noise wakes me from a perfect sleep. I sink farther into the mattress, pulling the covers over my head. Behind me, Alistair growls, wrapping his arm over my belly, infusing my body with heat when his naked body is flush with mine. He presses his erection against my back, reminding me of the constant throbbing between my legs. I melt into him but keep my eyes closed.

The irritating noise comes again, and I finally realize it’s the doorbell.

“For fuck’s sake.” He pushes the cover off him with a jerky movement and gets out of bed.

I look over my shoulder and get an eyeful of his naked glory. My mouth waters at the sight of his wide back, corded with muscles, and his yummy ass.

I can’t believe this man is all mine.

“What time is it?” I ask, my voice still rough from sleep—or from all the screaming I did last night.

“Too early. Go back to sleep, Goldi. I’ll be right back.” Alistair puts a pair of loose pants on before walking out of the room.

Not completely awake yet, I close my eyes, trying to go back to sleep, but without his warm body behind me, the bed no longer feels that welcoming. Plus, whoever was at his door on a Sunday morning is now in the house, speaking loudly.

Curiosity makes me fully awake.

I throw my legs to the side of the bed and get up. Goose bumps break out all over my body as the cold air hits my skin. Where the hell are my clothes? Alistair was the one who undressed me last night. Heat rushes to my cheeks as the memory comes to the forefront of my mind.

A moment later, I find them neatly folded on the chair in the corner.

Alistair’s muffled voice reaches me through the door, but I can’t make out what he’s saying. I can hear the annoyance in his tone though.

I put my clothes on, not bothering to look at my reflection in the mirror to see if I’m presentable or not. I have no intention of showing my face to whoever is downstairs.

Opening the door slowly, I stick my head out. The voices are a little clearer now but still hard to hear. I tiptoe down the hallway, stopping just at the top of the stairs. The conversation ceases for a moment, replaced by the loud banging of cupboards being opened and shut.

“Where the hell do you keep your coffee, Alistair?”

“I don’t think you need any more stimulants.”

“I’m fine. This is just my post-workout burst of energy.”

“And you want to add coffee to that?”

“I have a full day of work today, and I’ve run out of coffee. I know you have the good stuff here.”

“Does my house look like a fucking Starbucks to you?”

“You know I can’t stand that shit.”

Alistair groans before telling the visitor where the coffee is.

Who is this guy, and why is Alistair putting up with him?

Curiouser and curiouser.

“You still haven’t told me why you’re here,” Alistair says.

“Nadine’s lawyer is pushing the joint account issue, but I think I’ve found a way to fight that. It’ll drag out the process though.”

My heart stops beating for a second. So the man downstairs is Alistair’s lawyer. I shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but my feet are glued to the floor.

Bad, bad Chiara.

“About that. I’ve decided to give Nadine the money and be done with it.”

“Son of a bitch. Tell me you’re joking.”

“I want that woman out of my life for good, Enzo. She’s not asking for an unreasonable amount.”

“That’s what I said from the beginning, but you were dead set on pursuing the case. Does your change of heart have anything to do with the student you screwed in Italy?”

I wince at the crude manner in which Enzo talks about me. At the same time, my heart starts to beat faster, anticipating Alistair’s answer.

“No,” he answers quickly, and disappointment washes over me. “I saw Nadine last night at Monica’s party and realized she’ll never leave me alone until she gets what she wants. I want that viper out of my life for good.”

“Hallelujah. You’re finally listening to me.”

“I wasn’t thinking clearly. Rage and thirst for revenge clouded my judgment. I’m ready to move on. I don’t want to waste my time dragging out the divorce process just out of spite. It’s not like I was still in love with Nadine when she cheated on me.”

Enzo sighs. “Sometimes ego drives us to make bad decisions. I can start working on the settlement papers if that’s what you want.”

“Yes, that’s what I want.”

I bite my lower lip to keep from shouting out of happiness. Alistair is finally getting a divorce. He’ll be free, which is one less thing for us to worry about.

Deciding I’ve heard enough, I begin to retreat when I feel a strange sensation on the top of my foot. I look down and find a huge tarantula crawling on me. I scream from the top of my lungs as I jump back, kicking my leg to dislodge the giant arachnid.

Alistair comes running up the stairs the next moment, his eyes round with worry. “What happened?”

I point a shaking finger at the eight-legged critter scurrying away. “That.”

“Oh, fuck. Mildred, how did you get out of your container?”

“You own that thing?”

He bends over and lets the spider crawl on his hand. “Yeah. Don’t worry. Tarantulas are harmless.”

I take a few steps back. I hate spiders.

“For fuck’s sake, Alistair. Is that the girl?” Enzo asks from the bottom of the stairs, his hard expression showing how pissed off he is.

Alistair doesn’t glance in his direction, just keeps staring at me with an apology in his eyes when he replies, “Yes.”