Fiendish: A Twisted Fairytale (87 page)

As much as I enjoyed it when she didn
’t resist me, I found myself sometimes looking forward to the times when she would. When her tongue slipped past my lips to deepen the kiss, I knew tonight wasn’t going to be one of those nights. The kiss didn’t last long before she pulled away.

“I think we should stay in here,” I commented when Calida took a step towards the door.

***

Seth wasn
’t beside me when I got up in the morning. I eased out of bed and walked slowly towards our bathroom. As I stood in the shower letting the multiple showerheads pelt me with warm water, I tried not to think about last night. Nothing was mine, not even my body. He was right when he said I was trying to avoid being with him. I knew he’d figure it out, and I was surprised I was allowed to get away with it for as long as I did. I hated that my body responded to him even when I tried to put my mind somewhere else. Because of that, I found myself provoking his anger at times. I needed him to be rough with me, to hurt me so I wouldn’t have to feel so dirty afterwards. After I got dressed, I followed the smell of bacon and eggs to the kitchen.

“Good morning,
Cara Mia,” Seth said with a smile.

“Morning,” I replied taking a seat. “French toast, bacon and eggs.
My favorite. Thank you,” I stated, trying to make small talk.

I waited until Seth took his seat before I started eating. If someone were to walk in right now, they could have easily mistaken us for any other normal couple, and sadly part of me still longed for that to be true. I was thankful he appeared to be in a good mood this morning; it would hopefully make the conversation I needed to have
go a little easier.

 
“Seth.”

“Yes?”

“I need to talk to you about Macy’s wedding.”

“Am I off the guest list?” he asked with a slight grin on his face.

“What? No. She wouldn’t. No, this is about her, um, bachelorette party.”

“I see,” he replied
, putting down his fork. “Last time you went to one of those, I walked in to find you getting groped by some half naked man.”

Just that quickly
, the air in the room changed. The somewhat relaxed Seth was gone, replaced with the domineering Seth, the one that made me feel like a child, and I hated that I knew I had to ask his permission for this.

“It wasn
’t like that.”

“Really?
Were his hands not all over you?”

I looked down at my plate, pushing around the eggs that remained. My appetite was lost, replaced with nervous flutters as I prepared for the impending battle.

“I’m the Maid of Honor. Am I supposed to not go? Or not plan what she wants because what she wants could send my boyfriend into a very real murderous rampage?”

The moment those last words left my mouth
, I wanted to take them back. I had been doing so well with censoring myself around him. Seth settled back in his chair with an unreadable expression on his face. I would have apologized if I thought it would make a difference, but I knew it wouldn’t.

“I don
’t think I’ve ever gone on a murderous rampage,” he said with a slow smile spreading across his face. “Those could get messy. I prefer to plan things out; it’s part of the excitement.”

I sat there speechless. How do I even respond to a statement like that? I hoped that it was some sort of morbid sense of humor, but I had a very real sinking feeling he was being truthful.

“When?” he asked as he resumed eating.

“Um, when what?”

“When is this party?”

“Oh. Well, I have been delaying the plans because I need
ed, wanted, to talk to you first,” I replied, my leg started to bounce nervously.

“But you have some idea of a time frame.”

I nodded. “Since the wedding is in April, I’m thinking either next month or March sometime.”

Seth got up from the table and cleared our plates. I sat there patiently, pathetically waiting on his approval. After he finished the dishes, Seth left the room. I dropped my head onto the table and took a few steady breaths as I reflected on another wonderful start to my day. 

Solemnly, I pushed back my chair and exited the kitchen in search of something to fill my day. I thought about working, but I didn’t want to go in that room right now, not after last night, so I headed downstairs to the media room. I popped in
V for Vendetta
, one of my favorites, and then curled up on the plush, tan leather couch.

About thirty minutes into the movie, Seth walked downstairs. He stretched out on the couch, resting his head in my lap. I couldn
’t really focus on the rest of the movie because I kept waiting for Seth to say or do something, but he didn’t. When the movie finished, Seth sat up, and I thought he was leaving. Instead, he grabbed my legs and had me pinned under him before I had a chance to react. He stared down at me intently, as if he were trying to figure something out.

“This thing for
your friend is important to you?” he asked while he slowly slid his hand under my shirt.

“Yes,” I answered
, trying to block out his close proximity.

I tried to ignore the way my nipple puckered instantly when he ran his thumb across the
cotton fabric of my bra.

“How important?”
Seth asked, running his tongue along the side of my neck.

The instant I heard the question I realized the game. He was always conniving, and I
’d been avoiding intimacy with him as best I could. Now it seemed that if I wanted something from him, he was going to make me give him something first.

The cup of my bra was pushed up
, freeing my breast. His warm hand started to gently massage it while his thumb drew little circles around my erect nipple. I closed my eyes and tried not to be here, but then my mind went to last night. He took me on every surface of my office, the desk, sofa, the floor, he left nothing untouched. He marked his territory. Seth made sure I could no longer be in there without thinking about him.

“I asked you a question,” he said before pushing my shirt up and teasing my nipple with his ton
gue. My back arched on instinct, reacting to the sensations he could still create.

“Seth,” I whined. I couldn
’t think when he did this, and he knew it.

“Simple question,” he replied, rocking his hips forward.

“One that you already know the answer to,” I responded, hoping to end this.

I looked up at Seth as he loomed over me.
Simple. Nothing about him or us was simple; he made it that way. I didn’t want to give him what he wanted, but he knew how to play the game better than I did. Stretching my neck up, I met his lips. I felt him smile before he pressed down on me, deepening the kiss. Seth slid his hand down the front of my yoga pants and slipped two fingers inside me. He pulled them out slowly, and I rocked my hips forward giving chase.

“Ah, you do want me.” I could hear the humor in his voice.

Seth pushed them back into me and circled my clit lightly with his thumb. I moaned before grabbing his head and kissing him roughly. I was close, and this was what he wanted. Just as I was about to reach my climax, he pulled away.

“March, because I now have plans for next month,” he said then left the room. I lay there on the couch
, breathless and frustrated.

The next couple of weeks I spent more nervous than before. I tried to distract myself with planning Macy
’s bachelorette party. She was very excited with the things I told her I had planned. Mitch’s sisters and a few of her friends from home were going to be able to make it, so it was shaping up to be a fun-filled night.

Today was Valentine
’s Day, and I sat in my car with Seth, headed to some unknown location. He didn’t say much to me other than I needed to pack a bag and to be ready in twenty minutes. I kept stealing nervous glances at him, wondering if his plans meant I wasn’t going to be around for Macy’s party next month. I wanted to ask him, but each time I looked at him, the words got stuck in my throat. When we passed the ‘Welcome to Savannah’ sign, I cast another glance over at him. He remained silent. I’d always wanted to visit but never got around to it.

Finally
, we arrived in front of a beautiful Victorian home. It had a gorgeous garden that looked like it was well loved and cared for. Seth climbed out of the car, coming around to open the door for me.

I ran my hands down the front of my shirt, smoothing out the fabric and trying to avoid Seth
’s eyes. I jumped when he reached out to stroke my face.

“I
’m sorry,” I quickly muttered, biting down on my lip.

Gently
, he pulled it free before leaning in to kiss me softly. “Why so jumpy?”

“I…I don
’t know,” I answered softly. “Guess maybe nerves since you won’t tell me what we are doing.” I kept my eyes down until he lifted my chin.

He had a genuine smile on his face, and he looked excited about whatever he had planned. Reaching into the car, he pulled out a box and handed it to me. With shaking hands
, I took it then slowly opened it. 

His eyes never left my face as I looked at the contents. Inside was a beautiful sapphire and diamond encrusted
, heart-shaped necklace with matching earrings. It was a stunning set, and it took my breath away. I prayed that they were costume pieces because the expense of them was something I didn’t even want to imagine.

“Do you like it?” he asked. I could only nod my head as I gingerly touched the pieces. 

“Turn around,” he said, taking the box from me.

I complied
, moving my hair out of the way as he took off my current necklace and placed the new one on me.

“It looks perfect on you. Put the earrings on.”

I fumbled getting them out of the box but managed to put them on. Seth stood smiling appreciatively.

“Thank you.”

“The necklace was my mother’s. I had the earrings made to match.”

He gave me another quick kiss then took my hand
, leading me towards the house. Once through the gate, we were met by an elderly couple.

“Welcome to the Clifton. You must be Mr.
Jokobi,” the gentleman said, reaching out to shake Seth’s hand. “How nice to meet you. And this must be your lovely bride,” he finished, turning towards me.

My stomach clenched
, and the color drained from my face.
Bride?

Chapter 58

“Deary, are you alright?” the woman asked me.

She had a look of concern on her face over my reaction. I wanted to run, to flee, but my legs felt like lead. I swallowed the
bile that threatened to rise up and forced a weak smile on my face. Seth turned to look at me, his hand tightened around mine.

“Y.
..yes ma’am. It’s, um, just wedding day jitters.”

“I
’ve seen that, but it’s usually the menfolk that turn green. Here come with me, and I’ll get you a cool drink and let you collect your bearings a bit.” 

I followed her into the kitchen and took a seat in one of the chairs at the large kitchen table, trying to get myself under control.

“I’m Grace by the way. My husband is Charles.” She gave me a warm, motherly smile when she handed me the glass.

“I
’m Calida,” I replied, taking a small sip of the water.

The ice cold liquid did nothing to cure the dryness in my mouth. Grace pulled out a chair and took a seat beside me.
She was a sweet looking woman; she reminded me of Maya Angelou.

“Your young man seems very thoughtful. It
’s not often we get the man making all the plans.” She gave me a curious look as if trying to figure out some great mystery.

I took another sip of my water to buy myself some time in order to get my thoughts together. 
Thoughtful
. I bit the inside of my cheek when I felt the tears prickling the back of my eyes.

“Yes, he, um…um has a real need to make sure he gets what he wants.” 

She gave me another motherly smile.

“Will there be any family or friends joining you?”

I shook my head no. “This was a little…sudden and my parents live out of the country and…” I let the words die out as she gave me a knowing look.

I
’m sure she thought this was a shotgun wedding due to an unexpected pregnancy. I wasn’t going to correct it since it was better than the truth.

“Yes, well I understand,” she said
, patting me lightly on the knee. “We’ll be doing the ceremony in the conservatory. Would you like to take a look?”

I nodded in agreem
ent then set the glass down on the table. Seth and Charles walked into the kitchen, and I felt Seth’s eyes on me without needing to look over at him.

“Charles, hun, I was just about to take Calida here out to see the conservatory. Then I
’ll take her to the suite to help her get dressed.”