Virgin Bride

LUCA

He checked her appearance when she returned; the dress did nothing for her. It was a little big on her, but at least it was clean.

The shoes she wore were a pair of old sneakers. He would have to make sure to buy her some proper footwear as well. All in all, she looked pretty; new clothes and a touch of makeup would really bring out her beauty.

ROBIN

Robin stood there feeling like she was a piece of meat as he checked her out. The way he looked at her, his lips turning up in a smile and eyes sparkling. She felt her cheeks flush. No man has ever looked at me this way.

Having no experience with the opposite sex, she was unsure of what he was thinking, yet it sent a warm tingling sensation coursing through her entire body.

Her emotions were mixed; she feared this stranger and yet was excited by him. He looked amazing in his expensive tailored black pants and white shirt.

She knew women must throw themselves at him. He could have any woman he wanted, so why did he choose me as his wife?

“Ready to go? You must be hungry by now,” he said, going to the door and opening it and waiting for her to walk through it.

He stopped. “Walk beside me, not behind me,” he said, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

As soon as they walked into the massive dining room and two sets of eyes fell upon her, she became as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof.

The woman seated had jet-black hair, the same as Luca. She was tall and thin and her eyes held no warmth in them. Robin could see the disgust on her face when she checked her over.

The man, around Luca’s age, was short, with blond hair, and though he was attractive, he didn’t come close to Luca. Yet his eyes held the warmth that the woman lacked.

He smiled and stood. “Now, who do we have here, Luca?” he asked, taking her hand and kissing the back of it, which she quickly pulled away.

Luca turned to them. “This is Robin Potter.” He turned to her. “Robin, this here is Filippo Russo, friend and business associate. And my cousin Grazia Rossi,” he said as he pulled out a seat and motioned for her to sit.

LUCA

“Why, Luca, you don’t usually bring your whores to dine with us,” Grazia said, her nose turned up as she glared at Robin.

“I’m not a whore, you bitch,” Robin hissed but quickly closed her mouth when Luca gave her a dirty look.

“Grazia, you will watch your mouth around Robin, and I assure you she is no whore.” His angry tone made it clear he would not tolerate any more of her rude remarks.

Her face reddened when she looked at him. “Then who is she? Why is she here and dressed like that?”

Luca grinned. “Robin is going to be living here; we are getting married.”

He wished at that moment he had a camera. The way Grazia’s jaw dropped open and the look of horror on her face, he found priceless and forced himself not to burst out laughing.

Grazia rose from her seat and gripped the edge of the table. “Is this some kind of sick joke?”

“I assure you, dear cousin, it is no joke. Was it not you that said I should find a wife? Well, that’s what I did, so you should be happy.”

“My god, Luca, have you lost your mind? Yes, I said you should marry but someone in the same class as yourself. Not the likes of this girl.

“She obviously comes from trash, and look at the state of her! Those clothes, her hair. Not to mention her age; she’s way too young for you.”

ROBIN

Robin sat wringing her hands together under the table. She felt so uncomfortable as they discussed her as if she wasn’t right there with them. All she could do was sit quietly while they argued.

“Grazia, who I marry is my business, as far as Robin’s age goes, ten years is not a big deal. I will be taking her shopping for clothes and whatever else she requires.”

The conversation was put on hold when the help brought the food in, setting it in front of them.

Robin’s eyes went to the plates of food, and her mouth began to water; the smell alone was making her stomach growl.

She had never seen so much delicious food in her whole life. Not having eaten in over a day, she couldn’t resist the aroma of the roast and using her fingers, she picked up a slice and shoved it into her mouth.

Hearing Grazia gasp, she looked up to find everyone watching her.

“Just look at her, Luca, eating with her hands like a wild animal. This is the one you wish to marry and let your business associates meet.

“You will be a laughing stock in Rome. No one will want to buy your wine or do business with you.”

Luca tapped his fingers on the table, his eyes glued to Robin.

“Now, now, Grazia, Luca can always hire someone to give Robin etiquette lessons,” Filippo said with a friendly smile.

Luca nodded. “Yes, that’s an excellent idea, Filippo. Now, let us eat before our food gets cold.”

Looking at Robin, he picked up his knife and fork, raising an eyebrow, indicating for her to do the same.

Robin followed his lead, watching and imitating him. She had never been allowed to use utensils at her uncle’s home; she was made to eat with her hands, like an animal on the floor in the kitchen.

Wine was poured into her glass, and she shook her head.

“You don’t want any wine?” Luca asked her.

“No, just water,” she replied, her eyes lowered.

Though she used the utensils, she still wolfed down her food. As she reached for another dinner roll, she saw the disgusted look on Grazia’s face and pulled her hand away.

Luca picked up the plate and motioned for her to take one.

Filippo broke the tension by asking Robin some simple questions. “So where are you from?”

When she answered, Grazia snickered. “I should have known. That place is so poor; only the lowest of the low lives there. No wonder the girl has no manners, she doesn’t belong here. Take her back where she belongs.”

Luca banged his fist on the table, startling Robin, and she cringed when he jumped from his seat, going over and grabbing his cousin by the arm, yanking her out of her chair.

“I’ve had enough of your condescending attitude. Go to your room. I’ll have someone bring your dinner to you.”

Grazia glared at Robin with pure hate in her eyes. “That is fine with me. I will not eat around poor white trash who eats like an animal.” Turning, she fled the room.

“I apologize for my cousin’s behavior,” Luca said, looking at her as he sat down and continued eating.

“I will speak to Grazia,” Filippo said. “I will try to reason with her.”

“You best let her know if she does not change her ways, she will be removed from my home. I will not tolerate any more rudeness toward Robin.”

Luca turned to Robin. “Come to me if anyone disrespects you, and I will take care of them.”

Lowering her head, she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. Never would she want to cause problems for anyone, especially among family.

It was obvious Grazia hated her, and she knew the woman would always treat her like trash.

Once they were done eating, Robin stood up and started to clear the plates away, but Luca stopped her, looking a little disturbed. “No, I have people to do this. You will not cook or clean. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes,” she answered, nodding.

She followed the men into the main family room, where they poured themselves a scotch and offered her something. She declined and just sat there quietly, listening as they talked business.

Her eyes were growing heavy, and she was desperate to go to sleep but was afraid to say anything in case Luca became angry.

Filippo was the one to notice how her eyes kept closing. “Ah, Luca, we are boring this young lady, and she looks about to fall asleep. Shall I escort her to her room?”

Swallowing the last of his drink, Luca rose to his feet. “No need. I shall walk her up as I’m about to turn in myself. Goodnight, Filippo.”

Taking her arm, they walked out. He kept hold of her till they reached her bedroom.

“Again, I’m sorry for the way Grazia is treating you.”

“It’s okay. I understand where she’s coming from. She’s right about me; I have no class, and I’m nothing but poor trash.” She lowered her eyes as a pool of tears clouded her vision. “You need to find someone else.”

Using his index finger, he lifted her chin up. “I never want to hear you talking that way ever again. You’re as classy as the next person; we just have to bring it out in you.

“Also, I don’t want anyone else for my wife. I want you, and isn’t it better here than living with your uncle? I get the feeling you’ve been horribly abused by him.”

“You told me you don’t expect sex from me,” she said, moving her chin from his finger.

“That’s right, I don’t,” he replied.

“If that’s true, then why do we have to marry? What is the point?”

“I already told you, Robin. I’m being pressured to marry for appearance’s sake. Think of it as we are helping each other.

“I saved you from a life of doom, and you are giving the way out of being forced into marrying someone who would expect more from me than my name.”

“So, will you be having affairs?”

Luca ran his finger along her cheekbone. “Would that bother you?”

“It’s of no concern of mine what you do,” she answered.

But for some reason, she felt a little sad at the thought of Luca in bed with another woman. Though he had made it clear he didn’t want her, mainly because she was a virgin, it bothered her.

Also, she was sure he didn’t find her attractive, and she couldn’t blame him—she was poor and not his type.

“Then why do you look so sad?”

“I’m just tired,” she said, not wanting to tell him the real reason.

“Then I shall let you go to bed. Tomorrow we’ll go shopping, get your hair and nails done. We’ll stop and have lunch in the city. Goodnight, sweet Robin.”

Leaning down, he brushed his lips softly against her lips, a kiss so soft it could hardly be called a kiss.

Shutting the door behind her, she traced her fingers along her lips where he had touched hers with his.

After getting undressed, she got into bed. She dreamed of Luca that night, dreaming that he was next to her as his hands wandered over her and his lips kissed her.

She woke up with a start. The dream felt so real. Laying back down, she tried to get him off her mind, but the harder she tried, the more restless she became.

Feelings she’d never felt before flooded her body, and an ache between her legs started to throb, a pool of dampness soaking her panties.

This new sensation frightened her, not knowing for sure what it all meant.