Rapine 2: Ravished by the Billionaire (The Trophy Wife) (11 page)

I
eventually look forward to settling down with Julian, but I definitely feel like it’s so important to create lasting memories with the one you love before settling down and committing to a family and household.

I
ask Julian what week we’re in and he tells me it’s the third week of the month. I touch my belly, recalling that I need to take my once-a-month birth control next week. My friend Tanya is the one who told me about these birth control pills. I love that I only need to take them once a month and they only make me have four periods per year. Always up-to-date, Tanya kept me well-informed about all the latest developments.
I miss my friends so much
. I realize that when I settle down with Julian in his home in Switzerland I would be further from my mother and would have to make new friends. That would be the hardest part.

Julian and I stop by a store that has
some beautiful dresses displayed. Julian insists I go in and try on some dresses. I try on a few which are mediocre. I try on a sparkling, sheer champagne-colored long dress that shows my skin very faintly and hugs my body so perfectly. Julian gaps at me for a few moments, speechless, taking me in with his eyes.

“You look flawless,” he says, a rush of air escaping his lips.

I smile and accept his compliment, graciously appreciating that it’s coming from such a wealthy, powerful, worldly man. He had his pick of elite ladies and he’s chosen me. I’ve never thought of myself as spectacularly beautiful, but if I can capture his attention then I assume I must be a little more than ordinary. I recall that Derek always told me that I am the most beautiful woman he ever saw.

I spin around for Julian, and he takes
me in greedily with his eyes. He goes to pay for the dress and we make our way out of the store. We do a little more shopping and have dinner at one of the cute little outdoor restaurants on the cobblestone street.

When we arrive home, Julian and I enjoy a glass of red wine on our terrace
just as the sun begins to set. I love being able to watch the sun set every single day with Julian.
It really couldn’t get any more perfect than this.

CHAPTER TEN

The next day, we head to another island
in Greece. Santorini is the prettiest place I’ve ever seen. Hundreds of zigzagging steps ascend and wind through the villages of cobblestone streets and whitewashed homes with blue-domed roofs.

J
ulian has a huge villa in Santorini overlooking the sea. The sleek, ultra-modern, all white villa has ten bedrooms, ten bathrooms, with an even bigger terrace and infinity pool than Julian’s previous Greek villa.
It is definitely my style.
On the terrace there is a Jacuzzi, large dining table, ten daybeds, and four cabanas with plush seating.

The housekeeper does
all our laundry while we relax in the one of the cabanas on the terrace. I am wearing a long white dress by Elie Saab, Louboutin white heels with red bottoms, my red Birkin bag and ruby earrings. Julian is dressed in white pants, white shirt, white suit jacket, and a Vacheron Constantin skeleton watch. I realize that I have gathered a huge collection of beautiful clothing, purses, and jewelry in my luggage during our honeymoon.

It is a hot summer day, but the breeze from the sea makes it bearable and we are shaded by the cabana.
We are sipping on a classic Greek drink, Ouzo, and Julian has lit a cigar. I take a few puffs of the leathery-tasting cigar. Julian chuckles as I try to blow out perfect “O”s with the smoke from my mouth.

The maid
brings us a platter of some classic Greek snacks. She looks at me suspiciously. All of Julian’s maids in all his residences have been respectful and kind toward me, but this one gives me the evil eye.
What is her problem?
She looks to be in her early forties. Julian does not take notice of her, as he is smoking his cigar and sipping on Ouzo.

“My father and I have been emai
ling back and forth for a while since you talked to him through video call,” Julian suddenly says. “He’s eager to talk to you again and ultimately to meet you. Do you feel like speaking to him now?”

“Sure
,” I murmur, though I am slightly nervous to speak to his father again.

Julian asks the maid to bring his tablet from inside. She scurries away and quickly bring
s Julian his tablet. Julian taps at it and initiates a video call.

“Hello, Julian.
” Julian’s father, Mike, appears on the screen. He nods his head in respect toward Julian. I recall that Julian told me their relationship wasn’t very good in the past, but ever since Mike found out that Julian has married, he seems to have developed a newfound respect for his son.

“Hi, Mike,” Julian
says very formally and politely as if he were talking to a business associate.

“
How is my daughter-in-law doing?” He smiles warmly at me although his smile seems somewhat unnatural; it appears he doesn’t smile much. My imagination flashes to images of Julian being severely disciplined by his father with thrashings, whippings, burns, hot and cold showers.

I smile. “I’m doing great.”

“I’ve heard that your honeymoon has been much extended. Where are you now, kids?”

“
We’re in Santorini, Greece,” I respond.

“
Fantastic. I remember taking Julianna there for our 10
th
anniversary.” He appears to be recalling his anniversary.

“It’s so lovely here.” I smile and look at Julian.

“When do I get to meet you in person?” Mike asks me.

“In good time
, Mike,” Julian responds sternly, appearing annoyed.

“Well then you two, I won’t keep you long,” Mike says courteously.

“Why don’t you put mother on the phone?” Julian asks.

“She’s not feeling well,” Mike quickly replies.

“Why? What’s wrong?” Julian asks, suddenly looking extremely concerned. He obviously cares about his mother very much.

“She’s b
een bedridden for a few days, she has a bad cold but I’ve been by her side, not to worry. She’s getting the best care possible.”

Julian’s forehead is
severely strained. “Well then, let me know as soon as she is better. I’d like to speak with her.”

“Will do,
and you get back to your wife, take good care of her.” Mike commands. “And I want to see some grandchildren soon. I don’t want to die before I’ve seen my grandchildren and played with them.” Mike frowns. “Well then, I’ll let you two go.”

“Bye
, Mike,” Julian says curtly.

“Okay
, take care, you two,” Mike says.

Julian taps the screen and ends the call.

“Mike has been on my ass about wanting to meet you for a while now,” Julian says, annoyed.

“He appears to have respect for you now,” I say while looking into Julian’s gorgeous blue eyes.

“Yes, well, now that I’m a married man, he acts like I’m a changed man. Before that, he refused to talk to me.”

“Have you changed?”

Julian appears in thought. “In some ways, yes.”

“In what ways?” I raise my eyebrow.

“For one, I haven’t touched any narcotics or cocaine since I’ve met you. I’ve also stopped drinking heavily. Thirdly, I’ve stopped using the services of courtesans and prostitutes.”

My lips tighten into a hard line.
His past is dubious.

“
You’ve really changed me, Cheryl, and for that I want to thank you.” Julian smiles. “When I met you, I saw hope for me in you. I was really hoping that you would motivate me to change me for the better, and you really have in many ways.”

I smile back at Julian. “I’m happy that you’ve changed for the
positive.”

I take the tablet from Julian’s hands. “I’d like to ca
ll my mother. I’ve missed her so much.”

Julian nods and takes a puff of his cigar and a sip of Ouzo
.

I initiate the call and my mother appears on the screen.
Julian lowers his drink and cigar from view of my mother.

“Mom, how are you?” I ask
cheerfully.

“G
reat, sweetheart. I’ve missed you. How are you?” she says in her feminine, Czech accent.

“I’m doing wonderful. Julian and I are in Santorini.”

“It sounds like you’ve been having a beautiful honeymoon. I’d like to hear the whole story of how you two met sometime,” she murmurs. “How are you, Julian?” My mother turns her attention to Julian, analyzing him. She still hasn’t met him in person after our wedding and although she knows I’m happy with him, she doesn’t know him well enough to give me her full opinion of him.

He
flashes her his best smile. “I’m better than ever. Your daughter is the light in my life.” Charming as ever, especially with my mother.

“When do I get to see my daughter and you?” She asks
, with a hint of concern in her eyes.

“We will
definitely arrange that sometime soon after our honeymoon, Miss Lynn.”

“Please call me Karolina.”
She smiles and turns her attention back to me. “I’m glad you’re happy. I’d like to see you soon and hear all about your honeymoon.”

“I’ll call you as soon as we land in New York,” I
respond. “How are you doing, mom?”

“I’
m good. I’ve just decided I’d like to live somewhere else other than New York. I’ve started making preparations to move out of the city.”

“Why
, mom?”

“I just have enough of the city.”

“How about Switzerland? It’s a wealthy and safe place to live and Julian and I will be settling down there.”

“I can set you up in a beautiful house right
by the water, near us,” Julian instantly proposes.

My mother looks to be considering Julian’s proposal. “I’ll think about it and
get back to you. I think that’s a good suggestion.”

“I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of,” Julian adds. “Please do consider it.”

“I might just accept that offer. At least then I’d be close to my daughter.”

My mother really h
as no one but me, with dad gone. She only has a few relatives left in Czech Republic.

“Well then,
I’ll arrange that,” Julian says.

“I’ve got to run. I’ve got an appointment,” my mother says. “Bye
, honey, it was nice talking to you.”

“Bye
, mom.” I tap the screen, ending the call.

I turn my attention to Julian and smile. “Thank you.”

Julian looks surprised and raises an eyebrow. “For what?”

“For offering to get my mother a home.”

“It’s already done,” Julian says sternly. “You’re my wife, and my wife and her family are entirely taken care of. Besides purchasing her a home, I’ll also open her up an expense account so she can buy whatever she needs.”

I lean in to kiss Julian. “
I love you.”

Julian
kisses me back. “Love you, too. More than you can even imagine.”

Julian suggests we get changed
into our bathing suits and go for a swim. I put on a white bikini. Julian puts on white bathing suit shorts that cling to his hips in the sexiest way. His tanned, toned, sculpted abs glisten in the sun. I dip into the infinity pool overlooking the sea. Julian follows in after me.

We spend the rest of the day in the infinity
pool, sipping on Ouzo, smoking a cigar, kissing, holding each other, teasing each other, and rubbing up against each other. It’s an indulgent day, doing absolutely nothing but enjoying each other.

When we’ve had enough of the water, we lay out on the daybeds, soaking in the sun. Julian massages tanning lotion
onto my skin to prevent a burn and encourage a tan. I do the same for him, enjoying every bulge of muscle on his body as I massage the lotion onto his back and then his front and legs.

As I lay on the daybed,
listening to the waves of the sea and breathing in the salty sea breeze, the sun envelops me with the most profoundly relaxing warmth that puts me right to sleep.

When I awake
from my nap, I notice that I’ve developed a flawless, deep bronze tan on my body and face.

The sun ge
ts really intense after a while. Julian and I jump back into the infinity pool and drink more Ouzo while holding each other and gazing out over the deep blue sea.

I’ve completely lost track of time and I don’t care to know what time it is.
I understand exactly what Julian meant when he told me that women do not need to know the time.
A real man makes his woman lose track of time.

Evening approaches, and we hold
each other in the infinity pool as we gaze out over the sea, watching the sun begin to set. I can’t believe Julian and I spent the entire day, doing absolutely nothing and yet the day went by so incredibly fast like in a blink of an eye.

The
setting sun produces streaks of bright colors in the sky—pink, purple, orange and yellow. I hold Julian tight as I gape at one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen.