In his arms

"Well, I guess I'll have to figure it out myself," Nicole said, then she searched the fridge for something to cook.

She put on her headphones and started cooking to the rhythm of the music. Unlike her sister, she always enjoyed cooking. Her nanny had been her best teacher, teaching her many things. Through her, Nicole developed a passion for gardening, and her nanny always told her that if you speak nicely to plants, they become beautiful and bloom.

She prepared some eggs Benedict, toast, coffee, and orange juice.

When she turned around, she saw Bruno leaning against the wall, watching her. She ignored him, set the breakfast for both of them on the table, sat down, and started eating.

"I didn't think you'd enjoy cooking. You're really good at it," Bruno commented.

"Thanks," Nicole replied.

They finished their meal in silence, and after they were done, Bruno left while she stayed behind to clean the kitchen.

The house was truly grand, in Victorian style, inherited by Bruno from his grandparents. The furniture and decorations were mostly wooden, painted in light colors, and the floors were adorned with beautiful rugs that matched the wall colors.

Nicole went out to explore the garden. The design was simply perfect. She approached some enormous rose bushes—they were exquisite. The gardener warned her not to cut even a single rose as Bruno would be furious.

"These roses were planted and cared for by Mr. Bruno's grandmother, which is why they are so precious to him," the gardener explained.

"I understand. Don't worry, I won't damage them," Nicole assured him.

Life in this place was very different from what she was accustomed to in New York. The house was surrounded by abundant nature and located in the Hudson River Valley, just outside Riverdale, in a residential area. In the 19th century, it was where the wealthiest people in Manhattan built their residences. In the 20th century, it became populated by Jews, Irish, and Italians, including Bruno's grandparents.

She felt so different being in that place. She was accustomed to the hustle and bustle of the big city, living with her parents in the Upper East Side, near Central Park, surrounded by buildings, museums, and restaurants, close to Fifth Avenue. She only interacted with nature when they visited her parents' villa in Catskill, one of her favorite places. Her nanny and she had turned the garden into a marvelous spot.

She went up to her room to take a shower. It was late, and she had to prepare dinner. Bruno still forbade her from leaving the house, so she had spent the entire day in the garden.

She prepared a roast beef with salad and mashed potatoes. She went down to the cellar to get a bottle of red wine, realizing that there were more wines there than in a wine shop. She settled on a Malbec.

During dinner, Bruno was very serious. She noticed him glancing at her from time to time. They ate in complete silence, and then he retired to his study.

Nicole cleaned up everything. As she was heading toward the bedroom, she heard soft music coming from Bruno's study. Intrigued, she approached, and at that very moment, Bruno opened the door.

"What are you doing there? Come in," he said.

"I don't think it's appropriate. I wouldn't want to interrupt you," she replied.

"You're not. Come in and take a seat."

Bruno grabbed the whiskey bottle, poured a glass, and offered it to Nicole. She hesitated to accept it, but in order to keep the peace, she took it.

He sat next to her without speaking, just observing her. It made her feel very uncomfortable—his intense gaze and the alcohol coursing through her veins were making her feel heated.

When Bruno arrived at the mansion that afternoon, he was surprised to find that Nicole had already prepared dinner. To be honest, the last thing he expected from her was cooking skills. When he asked her to do it, it was merely to annoy her. He assumed a spoiled girl wouldn't know how to do it.

He pressed a button on a small remote, and a soft melody began to play (B.B. King's "The Thrill Is Gone"). Since the incident with Shelsy, he had taken to listening to it, feeling that it was perfect for him. He smiled at that thought.

He quickly finished his whisky and after a while, he realized he couldn't stop staring at her lips. The whisky, their company, and the music playing were not a good combination—they had awakened his senses.

He leaned in and kissed her aggressively, as if he needed her. He took her in his arms and led her to the bedroom, placing her on the bed. He urgently removed their clothes.

Nicole enjoyed the wonderful spectacle from there. Bruno lay on top of her, his hands eagerly exploring every inch of her body, kissing every inch of her skin. He slowly parted her legs to enter her. She trembled, thinking she would feel pain like the first time, but she was mistaken. Every movement brought her immense pleasure, and she felt like she was floating. Suddenly, she exploded in a sea of sensations. Bruno stifled a grunt, then turned away from her.

He fell into deep thought, realizing it was incredible to be inside her again. She was so tight, her skin, her body—everything was so perfect. He needed to distance himself; he was beginning to feel like he needed her, and that couldn't be happening, not with her.

Nicole woke up very early the next morning, and Bruno was already gone. She could still smell him lingering on the pillow. She got up and took a bath before going down for breakfast. After finishing, she went out to the garden, and a bodyguard approached her.

"The sir has left the country. He instructed that you can only leave with your parents, otherwise, you must stay in the mansion."

She didn't understand what was happening with Bruno. He had only used her, and she had foolishly fallen into his arms.

A week had passed since Bruno had left, and Nicole had no idea where he was.

That day, she woke up very late and had no energy for anything. She went downstairs to have breakfast still in her pajamas. As she entered the kitchen, she heard voices in the living room. Approaching to see what was happening, she saw Jack, the bodyguard, talking to a blond guy. When she turned, she saw it was Dante, her brother-in-law.

"Hello, little sister-in-law. How have you been?"

"Very well, thank you."

"Bruno told me he'll be away in Italy, so I came to see if you need anything. My parents apologize for not being able to come; they're still in Australia."

They talked for a long time, and Nicole found Dante to be a pleasant and good-looking guy. He was tall, blond, with green eyes and a well-toned body. He had a cheerful and lively character, completely opposite to Bruno.

Dante made her feel comfortable, so she decided to tell him that Bruno had forbidden her from going out or receiving visitors. She wanted to see her friend Sophie, as they hadn't seen each other since before the wedding. The mansion was large and beautiful, but the confinement was starting to make her desperate.

"Well, it seems my little brother is behaving like a real jerk. I have to go, sister-in-law, but I promise I'll come back."

The next day, very early in the morning, there was a knock on Nicole's bedroom door. She quickly woke up before opening it, and when she did, she was pleasantly surprised.

"Sophie! I can't believe it!" she exclaimed, completely happy.

"Hey, little one, I've missed you," Sophie greeted.

"The other day I called you, but you didn't answer," she continued.

"I'm sorry, Sophie. To be honest, I was really hurt. You didn't invite me to your wedding, and I found out through the media," Nicole replied.

"I didn't actually invite anyone. Only my parents and my sister were there. Max didn't come either. All the guests were from the Leone family. I felt so strange at my own wedding. But tell me, how did Jack let you in? Bruno has forbidden me from having visitors."

"Your brother-in-law came to fetch me. Your mother gave him my address. Quite the amazing brother-in-law you have there," Sophie said with a laugh.

"Hahaha, you never change, Sophie. I'll have to thank him for bringing you here. It meant a lot to me."

"Tell me about this visitor ban from your husband. By the way, where is he?"

"He's out of the country. We have a lot to catch up on. I have so much to tell you."

They spent hours talking in the room, and when they came downstairs, they found Dante sitting in the living room.

"Brother-in-law, it's great that you're still here. Thanks for bringing Sophie. It was a pleasant surprise. Will you join us for a meal? I'll prepare something," Nicole asked.

"No way, sister-in-law. I'll take you both out for a meal, my treat. Let's put an end to your confinement. We're going to get you out of this prison, and you don't have to thank me for anything," Dante said with a wink.