Chapter 200
CHARLOTTE-
I considered asking him to have sex with me.
That was how bad it had gotten..
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Francesca kept steering Valentina toward him every chance she got. A hand on a chair. A laugh that included only them. It irritated me. I was jealous and annoyed and sexually frustrated and I did not want anyone else.
We could do no strings. Whatever rule he wanted. One night. Get it out. Stop dreaming about a kiss I had been drunk for.
I knew I was stupid for even thinking it.
Was I so desperate just to get laid by my best friend? Would I turn into one of the other girls he fucked and forgot about the next day?
Would I even be okay with that? The truth was I wanted more. However, I knew Luca would never give it
to me.
I inwardly groaned.
He had been strange with me all day. Could not even look me in the eyes. I did not know why. When I finally caught him by the terrace doors he looked nervous. Actually nervous. Luca Vescari, Monaco winner, nervous next to me? Why? Why was he acting so strange all of a sudden?
“What’s your problem?” I asked.
He blinked. “Why do you think I have a problem?”
I shrugged. “You’ve been avoiding my face like it’s difficult to look at. You look like you haven’t slept in days. You flinched when I said your name. Pick one.”
“I didn’t flinch.”
“You flinched.”
| “Wait-“I gasped. “Did you sleep with the girl your mother is trying to set you up with after you told me
you weren’t going to? That’s it, isn’t it? You slept with her!”
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He looked appalled that I would even accuse him of something like that.
Rico appeared with two plates and no timing.
“What are we arguing about?”
“Go away,” Luca said.
“Rude. I brought you food. Elisa made me.” Rico looked between us. “Get a room, would you?”
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The Mockey Captain’s Unwanted Wife
A room? For what?
Teft after that strange comment.
“I’m tired,” Luca said.
“You’re lying.”
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He rubbed his jaw. Still not looking at me properly. “It’s this house. It’s Valentina. It’s Marco arriving like a saint. It’s my mother counting down the days she can have grandchildren. And no, I did not sleep with her. I meant it when I told you I wouldn’t.”
“So what does that have to do with avoiding me?” I demanded. It still didn’t explain why he was being so awkward around me.
“You’re seeing things.” He said, his jaw clenched.
He was keeping something from me. I knew it. I could sense it. I could tell when he was lying.
Giulia came forward and I knew his mother had sent her. “Luca. Stop hiding in a corner. Valentina asked about your likes and dislikes. I said you hate everything except winning. Come answer her questions. I’m tired.”
“In a minute.”
Then she left.
His mouth twitched. “There she goes again, trying to force me to interact with Valentina. I told you this would happen.”
He did. And I was truly facing the consequences of not listening to him.
“You were right.” I admitted. “Your family can be a little too much. Not your siblings, they are adorable. Your parents.”
Luca almost laughed. Then his eyes dropped and he looked away again, quickly. His ears were red.
Okay, what was that?
“Oh. So you finally agree with me?” he teased. “We could have avoided all of this but you insisted not to turn the car back around.”
I smiled, “at least you survived and your family cannot say you missed your sister’s eighteenth birthday.”
I wanted to ask him. Just say it. Sleep with me. No strings attached. I wanted to be brave.
Nothing came out.
“I think I’m going for a stroll.”
“Char.”
“What.”
12:26 Fri, Sep 25 TF.
The Hockey Captain’s Unwanted Wife
“Don’t do that thing.”
hat thing?”
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“The thing where you go quiet and walk into a vineyard and then I can’t tell what you’re thinking.”
“I like vineyards.”
Sofia appeared suddenly. “Mama said if you don’t come right away, she is going to bring Valentina to you.
I tried not to roll my eyes. Would she send all her children to convince Luca to spend time with Valentina?
“Thank you, Sofia.”
“You’re welcome. You look guilty. Both of you.”
Luca stiffened. I did as well.
How did we look guilty exactly?
“I should go,” Luca said. “I know my mother, she will not give this a rest.”
Francesca appeared before he could move. Of course, when the children couldn’t get him to leave my side, she had to come do the job herself.
“What are you two doing? Luca, Valentina is asking about a trip that she would like to take with you. Charlotte, Elisa needs help with the food. Inside. Both of you.”
Luca closed his eyes for a second.
Alessia passed behind her mother with icing on her thumb, she looked happy. “Mama, can you focus on me? It’s my birthday!”
Then she saw Francesca’s face and added, “Or not.”
I felt the frustration intensify. This was why he never wanted to come home. Not because of the view. Not because of the siblings. This. Because he couldn’t enjoy anything without his parents trying to control his
life.
“We’re coming,” I said.
“Now,” Francesca demanded with a glare directed at me.
I looked at Luca. He looked at the floor.
Whatever was wrong with him, it was not Valentina.
And I was still not going to ask him for sex in a house where his mother seemed to be listening through
the walls.
12:26 Fri, Sep 25 TF.
The Hockey Captain’s Unwanted Wife
Dex Morgan
Dex works to elevate each story with clean writing, emotional balance, and thoughtful flow for readers.