Karl helped me into my coat. He gently pulled it up over my shoulders and adjusted the collar. "Don't take it off while we're out, okay?" he said in a tone that was slightly stern but laced with obvious affection. I rolled my eyes a little at his overprotective tendencies. "Don't you think you're being a little over-possessive?" I countered, unable to hide the amused smile tugging at my lips.One of his thick eyebrows arched upwards as he reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his fingertips grazing my cheek in a tender caress. "You can give me some space to do things on my own if you really love me," I mock-pouted, sticking out my lower lip exaggeratedly.A low chuckle escaped from Karl's lips. He scoffed softly and shook his head, his eyes roaming over my body in an unmistakable look of desire. "I'm actually taking it easy on you, babe. The last thing I want is to smother you with my jealousy or make you feel overwhelmed by how insanely attracted I am to
We took our time strolling back through the park to where we had parked the car, enjoying the picturesque scenery and each other's company. We stopped at a nicer Italian restaurant that Karl loved for an early dinner once we returned to the city. It had a warm, romantic ambiance with low lighting, white-tablecloth-covered tables, and a cozy fireplace crackling in the corner.We were seated at a quiet corner table partially secluded by a series of intricately carved screens, and I immediately felt myself start to unwind in the intimate setting. Our server brought over a bottle of their finest Chianti to accompany our meal, filling our glasses with rich, full-bodied red wine. Karl's hand found mine on the tabletop, and our fingers laced together in a comforting way that just felt so natural.Our food arrived a while later - a hearty beef ragu over thick pappardelle noodles for Karl and a light yet decadent mushroom risotto for me. I must have been eyeing Karl's plate with a bit
Karl's side of the bed's sheets was already chilly when I woke up the following morning.I ran my fingers over the indentation his head had left on the pillow with a frown creasing my brow. It was unusual for Karl to be up before me. I was the early riser in our relationship."Karl?" I called out softly in a voice still husky with sleep. No response.Pushing myself to sit, I swept my tangled hair out of my face and glanced around our bedroom. Sunlight streamed through the gap in the heavy curtains. Everything was in its place, exactly as we'd left it the night before - except for my husband.I threw off the silk sheets and swung my legs over the side of the bed. The plus carpet next to our bed was soft beneath my bare feet, and I padded over to the walk-in closet to grab my favorite silk robe from its hanger. "May as well go find him and figure out what he's up to," I muttered, running a hand through my sleep-mussed hair. I made my way out of the bedroom and down the long
Karl closed the distance between us and reached out to settle his large hands on my waist. He pulled me flush against his solid chest with a gentle tug, wrapping those strong arms around me in a tight embrace. I immediately started squirming against his iron grip, trying in vain to wriggle free."Let me go, Karl!" I growled, my voice muffled against the soft fabric of his shirt. The spicy scent of his cologne filled my nose, bringing back a flood of memories that I ruthlessly shoved aside. "I'm not in the mood for your stupid games right now. Just tell me the truth!"Karl simply let out a deep chuckle that usually made me melt into a puddle at his feet. Now it just pissed me off even more. He nuzzled against the sensitive skin of my neck, his warm breath sending an involuntary sensation racing down my spine despite my best efforts to remain angry."Lavinia, just relax and hear me out," he murmured in his velvet voice. Damn him and his stupid sexy voice!"It's not what you think
Karl pulled up in front of an electronics store on the way to my parents' house which piqued my interest. I gaze out the tinted window that I had partially drawn down in order to let some air in."Why did we stop here?" I asked as I silently watched him remove his seatbelt."Nothing, my love, just wait for me a little while. I'll be back," he said. Karl eventually returned to the vehicle after being absent for a short period. When he did, he welcomed me with a smile and handed me a small box with a ribbon tied around the top."What's inside?" I asked. "Open it. You'll see," Karl urged. I gave in and opened the package, at which point my expression changed dramatically upon taking in the sight of the stunning phone that was concealed within."It's beautiful,” I turned it around to make sure I was seeing it correctly and gushed about it.“I'm happy to hear that it meets with your taste. Since you have been praising the most recent version on the market, I thought purchasing
I pushed my conflicting thoughts aside for the moment and turned my attention back to my mom. "Mom, would you mind giving me Rosie's phone number? I lost it somewhere along the way, and now I'd like to get in touch with her and maybe arrange to meet up." I missed my best friend. She was the only one who truly understood me through and through, who knew all my secrets and loved me anyway."Of course, of course!" Mom's face lit up at the mention of Rosie. She'd always adored my boisterous best friend, even when we were getting into trouble as teenagers. She located Rosie's contact info on her phone and handed it to me with the number already displayed on the screen. "Here you go, sweetie. I know how much you've been missing that girl. She's been asking about you, you know."Another pang of guilt. I'd been neglecting so many important relationships lately. With a deep breath, I quickly typed the number on my new phone, my finger hovering over the call button for a moment be
I was deep in conversation with my mom and Rosie, who had arrived earlier than expected, when Robert stumbled into the living room shirtless, as was his usual custom after waking up from a nap. He stretched lazily, letting out a jaw-cracking yawn."Oh man, I'm so freakin' tired," he mumbled in his morning voice, not seeming to notice me at first.I cleared my throat loudly. "I'm here, you goof. Didn't you miss your favorite sister while I was gone?" I couldn't resist teasing.Robert's eyes finally landed on me, his face splitting into a broad grin. "Lavi! Oh my god, the whole place has been dull as hell without you around," he exclaimed, crossing the room in a couple of long strides to envelop me in a big bear hug, his bare chest warm against my cheek."I missed you too, you big lug," I laughed, hugging him back tightly before we separated.Time seemed to fly by in the blink of an eye as we all caught up, swapping stories and reliving old memories until my stomach literally sta
"Are you kidding me, Karl? Please don't tell me you're actually considering punishing me by locking me up in that creepy red room again?" I asked in a trembling voice, unable to stop the violent shudder that ripped through me at the mere thought of being imprisoned in that bizarre torture space once more.The memories of the last time he had subjected me to that still haunted my nightmares - being stripped bare and restrained, helpless and at his mercy as he used me as his personal plaything for hours on end. The countless inventive ways he had found to tease, torment and overwhelm my senses with exquisite and unbearable sensations of pleasure and pain until I was a sobbing, delirious wreck. I had been certain he was going to break me that night.The dark, hungry look in Karl's eyes vanished, his expression brightening considerably into one of obvious amusement as a deep chuckle rumbled up from his chest."Ha! Got you going there for a second, didn't I, baby?" he grinned widely