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Niccolò's Chocolate House

Chapter 22

*Dari*

The time on Niccolò's wristwatch spelt, seven-thirty am. I noticed while fastening the band on his wrist.

Much to his chagrin, I stood before him in my uniform. Yes, I am his wife and he's my husband, but I needed peace of mind and right now, working for him was the only way to achieve it.

His expression, which I somehow managed to find cute, was one no less of an irate man. The heat of his gaze reached me, almost daring me to look into his pale blue eyes, which I didn't.

There's not a shred of doubt in my mind that he'd see the move as a sign of weakness, taking the action for what it was, an opportunity to pounce on it like an apex predator. I wasn't about to have that now, was I? Giving in to Niccolò's demands wasn't a part of the plan and I didn't intend to regardless of whatever great lengths he would go to, to convince me otherwise.

Working kept me on my toes, occupied and not to mention, proved to be a distraction from my woes. Just the same, keeping busy maintained whatever shred of sanity I had left. To dismiss it so easily would make everything so surreal. As if it'd all been in my head, as strange that sound.

I still struggled to get over the initial shock of being with Niccolò on an intimate level. I still couldn't quite grasp why he chose me to be his wife, why he agreed to help me and my papa ... how he could be so affectionate. It's all so new to me. Besides, there was only so much to do in this big house without the company.

Krysta would be at school, Niccolò would be at the restaurant, though Papa and Josie would still be around, they'd both be preoccupied with their exercises or resting from exhaustion. Either way, I'd be forced to find something else to do with my time.

The right conditions and opportunities could provoke anyone to madness, especially in this house. I wasn't much of a tv person, considering we couldn't afford it, living on the budget we were before Niccolò swooped in and saved the day. Also, I'd always preferred the outdoors, not that I had much of a choice in the matter.

Finally, I found his beautiful green and red diagonal striped tie which I thought would do nicely with his navy suit before returning to him, avoiding his gaze. My Nicky seemed awfully quiet, even as I stood before fastening the tie around his collar, folding it back over the tie.

Just as I'd finished fixing his tie and turned to leave again, Niccolò caught hold of my arm, gently guiding me between his thighs before lifting me by my butt to straddle him.

"You shouldn't work baby, leave that to me." Nicky's voice dipped to an octave filled with thick emotion.

"As much as that would be music to any woman's ears, I pride myself in keeping busy." He released a husky chuckle which vibrated through us, causing my heart to skip a beat.

"My Ada, are you certain that I can't convince you otherwise?" I heard the challenge in his voice, staring at his kissable lips in an attempt to avoid meeting his gaze.

With those tantalizing lips, he kissed me, stealing my breath, slowly moulding his lips into mine. I closed my eyes, thoroughly enjoying our closeness despite our disagreement. However, as much as I liked it, I pulled away, touching our foreheads together, turning to deny him further access to my lips.

I bit my lip in anxiety, feeling the tempo of my heart beating against his solid chest. His hands slid from their grip on my thighs, roaming seductively against the small of my back, pressing me into his front even as I struggled to strangle a moan.

One of his hands met the nape of my neck, tilting my head to grant him access. He attacked my jawline, peppering sweet kisses down the length of my neck, bringing me closer to the edge. His cologne filled my lungs, nearly rendering me defenceless as he gently bit at the hollow of my neck, sucking against my flesh. No doubt, a lovebite would be the aftermath.

"Nic-co ... lò, I-I need this ... to keep me-" I bit my bottom lip, fighting this attraction with whatever willpower I could scrape up. I tried to remove myself from on top of him but Nicky wasn't having it. I didn't think it was possible but he only pulled me closer. "-Sane."

"Just give me an hour, I'm quite capable," Niccolò whispered huskily against my skin, unfastening the buttons of my blouse to kiss the bare flesh. I hiccupped, sighing with pleasure. "Ti sarò molto utile." (I'll be very useful (to you).)

Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door, stunning us in place. It broke me out of the trance-like state Niccolò had subdued me in, as though whoever stood beyond the door, could see us in such a provocative position.

Niccolò pulled away slowly, his blue eyes which had clouded over in desire finally meeting mine. My heart contracted at the sight, near beating out of my chest as he held me the way he did. We both said nothing but our raspy breaths filled the void, saying everything that could be said at that precise moment.

"Come on, lovebirds," Someone called from on the other side. I recognized it to be his younger sister Krysta, chuckling at the discovery, causing Niccolò's already hungry gaze to narrow to slits in annoyance. "Se vai ancora più piano mi farai arrivare tardi a scuola." (Any slower and you'll make me late for school.)

"I have got to hand it to your sister. Her timing is impeccable." I giggled, removing myself from his thighs before standing between them to peck Niccolò on his lips softly. I gathered his handsome face in my hands gently while he held the back of my thighs.

Relief flooded my system the further I got from him and I sighed, thankful my willpower was enough that I didn't give in. My husband, however, groaned in frustration, eyeing me hungrily while I adjusted the buttons of my shirt again.

"Grrrr ..." was his response, causing me to almost lose my balance as I grew unsteady with laughter.

"I'll meet you downstairs, baby," I called over my shoulder and before he could offer any response, I slipped out of our bedroom. Krysta was no longer at the door and for that I was thankful. I don't think could face her, knowing what she suspected.

I descended the stairway, intent on visiting my papa before I left for work.

His birthday would be in a few weeks. I'd always taken the day off to spend it with him because I really couldn't afford much else. I usually combed through his low hair with an afro-comb which helped to stimulate his scalp then rub aromatic oils against my hand before massaging his scalp.

After, we'd complete crosswords puzzles together then play a game of chess, though with bottle-caps instead of chess knobs. I didn't have the patience for the sport though but he did. Tionnè would come over after work and indulge the old man in a good game. It wasn't the most extravagant but we'd always managed to make him smile and that's what made it all worthwhile.

"Papa," I squealed in delight, all too ecstatic to see him awake before I noticed Krysta standing at his bedside. I avoided her gaze, too embarrassed to even look her way for fear that my expression would confirm her theories.

"Baby girl," He beamed, taking my hands in his, noting the wedding band on my marital finger brushing against it lightly.

"Good morning," I greeted, finally meeting Krysta's pale blue eyes to see her beaming as well. What she did next took me by surprise. Krysta approached me before enveloping me in a hug. It took a moment for me to hug her back.

"I'm sorry, cognata (sister-in-law). I was only teasing but I'll stop it because I've embarrassed you. I didn't mean to offend you in any way," Krysta confessed silently.

"Thank you," I replied, appreciating her so much more.

"I want us to have a relationship where we can tell each other anything at all. I've always wanted a sister." Her gorgeous smile was nothing less than contagious. I don't think it would be possible to stay mad at this girl for more than a minute though I wasn't. Niccolò must have been completely defenceless against her.

Poor guy. I chuckled at the thought. I could tell that we would become very close. Krysta was the complete package. She had the charisma, courage, beauty, humility, brains, there was also a protective vibe that I got from her and also, she looked so adorable in her uniform which comprised of a navy tie, white blouse and matching navy skirt.

"I'm sorry Papa we have to go or Krysta will be late for school," I smiled leaning over to kiss him on his forehead and also at both sides of his temple. "Hopefully, when I get home you are rested and awake."

"Don't worry about me, baby girl. I'll be alright you make me sound so old," He replied before kissing me on my forehead.

"Papa," Krysta and I giggled at his remark. "We know you are however old you feel like."

"Isn't that what you tell the old people to make them feel better?" He asked, unable to keep himself from laughing.

"You are relentless," Krysta chuckled as did we all.

"That's what she tells me!" Papa barked in laughter, near sending us into hysteria. Oh, it was so good to hear him laugh, I love it.

"What's all this laughing about?" At the sound, the room was instantly stunned. Niccolò stood in the doorway fully dressed with a briefcase in his hand. He entered the room, eyeing us closely.

"Niccolò, my boy," Papa gave him two pats on his back but what caught my attention was what he'd called him. They were both getting along so well and my heart warmed at the thought.

I knew for certain that I was in love with him, though I wasn't ready to profess it. No, that would make it all so real and mean I would be susceptible to a broken heart.

Just then, Niccolò looked up at me, his eyes sparkling with emotion which sent my pulse running like a headless chicken.

"Papa," Niccolò chuckled. I'd never get used to him saying that. Staring at me like that. And never was a long time.

"Go, we don't want Krysta to be late for school, now do we?" Papa said and I forced my eyes away from Niccolò to look at him. It had completely slipped my mind.

"I'll see you later Papa," I kissed his forehead before we left him to rest.

After we dropped Krysta off at school, the driver plugged in a route to the restaurant. Music played softly in the background as I formulated my thoughts.

I hadn't known this man any longer than the length of my arm, and yet my feelings for him threatened to break me in half. What I'd felt for Stephan was puppy love compared to the way I felt about Niccolò. Not because he'd given us a place to stay, or kept his to take care of papa though I appreciated it greatly.

No, there was something more underneath it all beyond the forces of attraction, deeper than every kiss we've ever shared. Emotions that I myself couldn't deny. There was also something holding me back, fear. What if I gave all of me, only to be crushed to dust. Yes, certainly better to stay occupied!

It's been a few days since my husband and I had--well, there was no modest way to say it. There was no way to tell that amidst such a cold exterior, Niccolò could be so warm and affectionate. I should have known better. What girl looks up at her beastly brother with such unfailing love, if he was the nearly the horrid man everyone thought him to be?

He was sweeter, more attentive and caring than I could've ever imagined in all my existence. He was an honourable man and I was lucky to have him for my husband. I could've done worse than him, to be honest. There were worse out there, those who only sought their own interests. Niccolò cared for me. Why couldn't that be enough for me? Maybe because marriage was an everlasting union and ... a pain of the chest and, I was beginning to realize that despite all his faults, my husband, my Niccolò Casimiro, was a good man.

"What are you thinking about, Bella (Beauty)?" I suddenly felt his large fingers become intertwined with my own before he brought it to his lips kissing it softly.

I was about to confess but suddenly I didn't feel too good, my stomach churned with a stab of pain as a sudden wave of dizziness came over me and before I knew it, I had thrown up on the carpeted floors of Niccolò's expensive car.