Ruins Of Roses BOOK 2 (Rebuilding Ruins Series)

39. LOVE CONFESSION

FRANKIE

I open my eyes and notice I'm in an unfamiliar room. I must have gotten drunk at the bar last night and left with some random chick. I feel a weight on my chest and when I look to see who I picked last night I see it's none other than Angel Rose. She's sleeping soundly looking at peace. The fact that I can feel her naked flesh pressed to mine under the blankets confuses me. Not that I'm complaining or anything but what in the world could have possessed her to agree to a night of passion with me. It takes a minute for the details of the past few days to register in my mind. I'm a married man now.

DAMN.

I clench my fists. Why did my family have to put me through this. They know I still love my ex and hoping she'd someday come back to me. I feel my temper dissolving remembering my first night with Angel as husband and wife. I was aware she hadn't been with a man in years and I knew I had to be gentle with her and I was. I don't know when was the last time I made love to a woman. It's always been s*x nothing more nothing less but last night was special. Maybe I shouldn't have taken my sweet time with her cause when we were done I knew she loved me more than she ever did. I could tell by the way she was looking at me and clinging to me. We were both concerned about satisfying the other. If things stay that way I'm afraid I'll be riding a bus to Love-Ville as Angel would call it she likes making up names for certain situations and I'm not trying to get there any faster. I should probably slow things down when we return to our normal life. I know it's too early but I'm in desperate need of a strong drink. I start to untangle myself from Angel.

"Nooo" she whines clinging to me her eyes still closed.

"I need to pee man"

"Hold it in" she says in that cute sleepy voice tightening her hold on me.

"Are you serious right now" I chuckle.

"Hmm" she hums.

"Okay then" I grab her hair and run the tips over her face to annoy her but she hides her face on the side of my neck.

I put the hair inside her ear.

"Frankie. Stoooop" she covers her ear with her shoulder.

"I'm bored and you're my only entertainment"

"Oh my goodness just go" she pulls away from me turning her back to me pulling the blanket with her.

"Well I don't feel like it anymore" I lean into her and kiss behind her ear.

"Go away" she whines.

I keep irritating her pulling her hair, pulling her ear, squeezing her behind till she's had enough. She gets up and grabs a pillow and starts hitting me with it. I'm quick to grab a pillow of my own and a pillow fight begins, a pillow fight that leads to more love making. When we can't stay in bed anymore as our bodies need nourishment we go to the kitchen where we make something to eat and after that get back to consummating our marriage right there on the kitchen counter.

Eat. Love making. Sleep over and over again we repeat the process for the next three days. We are in our own little world and though I'd love nothing more than to do this for the rest of my life I know we can't. It's too risky.

It's the afternoon of day three and I'm laying on the couch with Angel sleeping in my arms. I've been staring at the ceiling for close to an hour now. The feelings I've been trying to suppress for months since I met her are resurfacing. I can feel I'm about to get on that love train and that can only happen over my dead body. I sure hope by the time we end this marriage I'd have had my fill on her cause the passion we share is starting to scare me a bit. It's becoming too much for me to comprehend.

"Babe" I look down and see her looking at me with concern in her eyes.

"What?" I snap.

"Are you alright?"

"Why wouldn't I be" I lightly push her to the side and get off the couch and grab my pants on the floor.

"You don't have to be mean you know" she glares at me pulling the throw and covering her chest.

"What do you expect. You are calling me babe and s**t. I don't like it" I wear my pants.

"Okay whatever Mr Bipolar" she rolls her eyes.

"No man don't call me Mr Bipolar. You need to get it through your head that this ain't real" I run my hand through my hair in frustration.

Can't she see that her calling me babe is making this feel more real. I don't want to end up believing this marriage is real when it's not. I just can't afford to.

"Yeah whatever. The fakeness of this marriage is the least of my concern. You won't see much of me when we get back home. I'll be busy making a name for myself" she gets off the couch.

"So this is all this is. A business deal" I say through clenched teeth.

"Oh please. As if it's anything more to you. All you want is s*x" she turns and makes her way to the staircase.

"Women don't walk away from me while I'm talking to you"

"I'm done with this conversation" she dismisses.

I'm fuming as I watch her walk up the stairs. I can't believe she just said that.

Of course I knew my uncle made me marry her for his and her own benefit for but for her to throw it in my face like that was unexpected. Call me selfish but I liked it better when she'd beg me to be hers. I guess now that she has me locked in marriage she's not taking anymore bullshit from me and it's pissing me off. It's only been a few days since we married and she now has the upper hand in everything. This is the reason why I hate relationships. The fights they are exhausting and so not worth it.

Remembering the text I got from my uncle yesterday letting me know the equipment to make a throne for him is in the cottage just a few minutes away I storm out of the house and make my way down there. Why my uncle wants me to make a wooden throne for him is beyond me. He probably wants to feel like a king when he's out there running his illegal business. I text him letting him know that it won't come cheap, he deserves it after forcing me into marriage. I spend hours there and by the time I leave I've got a lot done. I don't know what kind of throne my uncle had in mind but I'm going to enjoy seeing the look on his face when he sees my creation.

When I get back it's past 4am. Once in the main house I go in search of food and to my surprise wifey dearest left me dinner. At least she's good for something. I flop on the couch and chow down the yummy food and afterwards lay down watching a sports channel. I should probably go to bed but I'm still pissed at my said wife so I'm spending the night here. On second thoughts I'm spending the night on that bed. After having a beer or two or three or four or five. Oh what the heck I lost count. I head upstairs and throw myself on the bed with my clothes still on and black out.

"Frankie move. Oh my goodness " I hear someone shaking me awake and I groan before going back to sleep. Whatever it is can wait.

By the time I wake up it's midday and Angel is nowhere in sight. I go take a quick shower and head downstairs for some breakfast. Again I find food waiting for me. I grab my brunch and head outside, I groan when I find Angel sitting on the swing bench on the porch reading a book.

"Hey" she sounds uncertain.

"Hi" I say plainly heading for the couch opposite her.

"Did you have a goodnight sleep"

"Yeah" I put the plate and juice on the coffee table.

"I did too thanks for asking"

"I wasn't going to ask" I grab a piece of strawberry and pop it in my mouth.

"I thought as much"

"Then why mention it?" I grab a fork and fill my mouth with waffles.

If I wasn't mad at her I'd probably be showering her with compliments cause she looks yummy in a pair of shorts, crop top, a turquoise cocktail ring on her finger and matching necklace.

"I thought since you're a grown man you'd be over our exchange yesterday but clearly not" she props the cushion behind her and puts her little foot on the couch.

"Exchange of words you say" I raise a brow.

"Well that is what it was" she shrugs.

"In my point of view it sounded like you reminding me how you only married me for your own benefit" I take a sip from my juice and I'm satisfied when anger flashes in her eyes.

"You know what I'm not doing this with you. This is not what I signed up for" she lifts the book in her hands and starts reading.

"Suit yourself"

The air is tense as I eat the rest of my brunch.

"I'm leaving" I begin to get off the couch when I'm done.

"Can you be back for dinner" she looks

up at me.

"Whatever you need say it now"

"You know what it's fine. I'll eat dinner all on my own once again" she waves me off.

"I mean after all I'm just a business deal to you. You don't need me for anything" I say before leaving the house and head to the cottage.

***

I don't know why but though I had every intention of coming back in the early hours of the morning just like I did last night I find myself back at the house for dinner. Maybe it's because I was hoping to get lucky with my wife tonight. It's been too long since I've held her in my arms. Weather a marriage is real or not a husband shouldn't go without the joy of love making for more than twenty four hours no matter how mad he is at his wife.

Okay maybe I love to get down and dirty with my wife more than I thought possible. It's all I've been thinking of since I saw her in those little shorts earlier. I got to have her tonight. Knowing Angel is in the kitchen cooking I enter through the back door and take a shower in the other bathroom. I take my time trimming my beard and use the aftershave my uncles made me buy. I've never cared much about it in the past and never used it but when it comes to Angel Rose I occasionally feel the need to impress her.

Come to think of I've broken many rules of my own since I met this girl. I don't know what it is about her. I'm even starting to doubt I ever loved my ex cause whatever feelings Angel is awakening in me are all new for me and making me pick stupid fights with her just to push her away. When I'm done I dress up in a pair of jeans, fit casual shirt, boots and a stupid watch. What's annoying is that I'm doing all this for her, only her. I make my way to our room where I find her standing in front of the mirror looking all gorgeous in a mustard off shoulder dress with a high slit.

She turns "Oh my God Frankie you scared me" she puts her hand over her heart.

"My bad" I lift my hands smirking.

"You should have let me know you were here"

"I'll say you knew I would be here for dinner" I swallow when I see her pale thigh through the slit feeling my throat dry.

"I suspected you'd be here but I wasn't sure" she starts for the balcony and I find myself gawking at her behind as I follow her.

"I should have stood you up after the s**t you said to me yesterday" I pull her chair for her.

"Thank you" she seems shocked I did that for her "Can we not bring up the past. We both said some things we didn't mean"

"Not until you apologize" I take a seat opposite her where the table is already set with food and fruity beverages.

"I'm sorry" she grabs my glass and fills it with juice.

I'd have preferred something stronger but this will do for now.

"That doesn't sound genuine" I sit back staring at her.

"Gosh you are such a baby" she rolls her eyes putting the glass in front of me.

"Get used to it"

"Can you like act your age. Please" she sighs in frustration.

"I will. After you apologize"

"We both know this marriage is not real but can you not remind me every chance you get" she grabs her own juice and pours it in a glass with so much force it spills on the table cloth.

"Let me help" I start to grab the glass from her.

"I can do it" she snaps. She's getting mad.

"Relax okay. No need to get all worked up about it"

"Frankie I hate being married to a man that doesn't love me but I'm trying my best here" she clenches her fists.

"Maybe I overreacted a bit when you called me baby-"

"A bit?" she cuts in.

"Okay a lot but I'm doing this to protect you. You are a good friend of mine and I don't want to see you going through another heartbreak when this is over" I say.

That's partly the truth. I don't want to get heartbroken myself because truth is I've developed real feelings for her and if she keeps using these terms of endearments I might forget to end things between us when the time comes.

"Don't worry about me. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself" she uncovers our food and the aroma attacks my nostrils.

"Can we like have a chilled night. I'm tired of fighting" I blow out a breath.

"Just so you know I'll call you babe if I want to" she starts eating without a care in the world and I groan.

Life was so much easier when we were just two people wanting different things from each other. Now she's calling the shots. If this marriage was arranged then it feels real. I guess it's safe to say I'm screwed.

As we eat dinner she starts to loosen up and I play along. I mean I'm trying to get in her pants so I got to be nice. After dinner she grabs a selfie stick she bought back in Rome a few days ago and stands in front of me for a selfie.

"You look good tonight" I wrap my arms around her whispering in her ear as she snaps a pic of us.

"Just good?" she glances at me.

"Yummy" I playfully bite her earlobe and she giggles.

"You look yummy yourself husband dearest. Oh and you smell delish"

"Delish?"

"Delicious" she kisses my cheek.

"Let's go to bed" I turn her face and kiss her in the mouth.

"You ain't getting none from me Mr. Not after the mean things you've been saying to me since yesterday" she pulls away from.

"Oh come on. I thought we weren't bringing up the past anymore" I attempt to hold her hand but she slaps it away.

I'm seconds from pouting like a five year old.

"Nope. Not happening. It'll teach you to think before you talk"

"Let's get in the hot tub then" it'll be easier to charm her bathing suit off.

"I'll go change" she starts for the bedroom door.

"I can help" I try.

"Stay right there Frankie Russo" she throws over her shoulder making me chuckle.

How do I just forget Angel when Natalya finally comes back. I mean last night was amazing. We connected in a way I never thought possible. Double damn.

I use the door leading to the second lounge and head downstairs where I get us drinks and snacks and carry everything back to the balcony and put everything on the side tray connected to the Jacuzz. As I wait for Angel to get back I turn the Jacuzzi switch which activates the jets before stripping off my clothes till I'm left with nothing but my boxers. Oh and wedding ring too. It feels weird wearing a wedding ring after so long. I never thought I would wear another in my life ever again. I twist the gold piece of jewelry Angel put on me just the other day. Never in a million years did I think I'd ever commit myself to a woman other than Natalya but I guess life is full of surprises.

Just days ago I had been hoping my uncle would see that making me marry a woman I felt nothing but s****l attraction for was wrong and would cancel the wedding but he had his way as he always does. I had spent the day feeling anxious and sick to my stomach over the fact that this was all a business deal to him. I had done all in my power to get out of marrying her but it all failed now I'm somebody's husband for the second time in my life and if I'm being honest I'm mostly enjoying it.

"Hey you" a soft voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

I turn too see My Angel leaning against the door jamp graced in a lime one piece swim suit and I feel my body getting exited.

"My my my. Ain't I one lucky dude" I stretch my hand to her licking my suddenly dry lips.

"You certainly are Mr Russo" she takes her sweet time doing the cat walk I feel like I'll lose my mind.

When she reaches me I pull her in my arms and give her a fierce kiss "You'll be the death of me" I whisper.

"Frankie" she moans my name.

"Yes beautiful" I kiss the back of her hand.

"You don't understand what you do to me" her eyes meet mine and I see the undeniable love in her eyes.

"Tell me" I don't know why I just said that.

Maybe I need to hear her say those three words just to inflate my ego.

"Let's get in the water" she pecks my chin before pulling me inside the Jacuzzi.

"Oh come on. Thought you were about to express your feelings to me" I catch myself pouting.

I'm definitely losing it. Like what am I doing acting like a baby.

"Why does it matter. You don't feel anything for me anyway" she dips one foot into the bubbling water then another and settles inside the Jacuzzi.

"I thought we agreed not to hold back" I follow suit.

"You were the one that kept reminding me this marriage was arranged" she shrugs.

"Forgive my mistake" I settle next to her.

"We've been here for days. Are you going to take me with you the next time you leave the house" she grabs a bottle of still water from the ice bucket.

"Tomorrow will do. We can explore the Island" I grab my uncle's gorgeous burgundy crocodile leather liquor flask which I found in the house.

I must say he's got taste in nice things. I'm so taking this back home with me.

"Yay. Can't wait" she squeals.

"Act your age Missy" I open the flask the side of my lip twitching.

"Says the guy who was pouting just now" she throws her head back laughing.

"You imaged it" I take a swing of the stinging drink.

"I did not" I watch her take a bottle of tropical juice and in my head I'm like can't this girl make up her mind on what she wants but little did I know.

"Yes you did" she swallows half the contents from the bottle of juice.

"No I did not"

"You so did" she grabs the liquor flask from me and I let her thinking she wants a taste.

"Hey" I try to grab the flask from her when she starts emptying the contents on the flask inside the tropical juice.

"I need you sober tonight" she says.

"Whatever for?" I roll my eyes groaning.

"Just so you know you can be yourself when you're with me" when every last drop of the alcohol is mixed with the juice she refills the flask once again and I curse.

"Be myself? This is me man" I grab the flask from her when she hands it back to me.

"I know alcohol is like a mask you put on" she puts the tropical drink back on the tray.

"You crazy" gulp down the stupid cocktail she made for me.

Can't believe how whipped I'm acting. The old me would have gone off on her for the stunt she just pulled but here I am going with the flow. What the actual-

"Imagine this marriage was real. Would you have wanted more kids" she moves her little feet under the water and all I can think about is how to take that bikini off of her.

"If my real wife wanted that yeah" I clench my teeth still bitter about her ruining my fun.

"How many?"

"Depends on how many you'd be wanting"

"And if I wanted ten?" she raises a brow.

"You know what that would mean right" I smirk.

"Enlighten me" she turns and faces me.

"It would mean lots and lots of s*x"

In my head I'm picturing her without the bikini. She sure looks good in her birthday suit.

"I wouldn't mind having lots and lots of s*x with my husband whom I love" she gives me a seductive smirk.

"I seem to fit that description quite well" I flash her a sly smile.

"As if" she laughs.

"Cause I seem to remember you mentioning you were falling for me not too long ago" I raise a brow.

"Okay maybe I did feel strongly for you at one point but I know in just a month I'd have you out of my system" I shrug.

"What you need to know sweetheart is that I'm not an easy man to forget" I lean into her.

"Keep dreaming" her cheeks turn pink. That can only mean she knows it too.

"I bet you've never been with anybody like me" I grab a juicy piece of watermelon from the fruit bowl.

"You are wrong" she takes a bite from a piece of fruit and feeds the rest to me.

I bet it would taste better on her.

"And I know I'm the second guy you've ever had in your bed" I run the watermelon over her chest and the juice flows down her chest and through her clevege causing her to gasp.

"You thought wrong. I've been with many guys in the past" she lies through her teeth her breathing quickening.

"Is that so" I suck the juice from her clevege till her chest and she let's in a sharp breath holding my head needing more.

I keep teasing her till she's begging me to take her and who am I to refuse a lady what she wants. I carry her to our bed where I take my sweet time pleasuring her till she's all but screaming and moaning while she scatches my back with her nails till she tears on my skin but I don't stop. I get really worried when I start wishing I'd been her first but it really don't make much of a difference because she's a bit inexperienced and I'm honored to be the one teach her lots of things.

I thought things we going to be awkward when my father called me a useless drunk but it's as if none of that was said. If she still wants me I must be doing something right. I know she loves me and I'm hoping she doesn't cause drama when it's time for us to part ways. I only asked her to move in just to get my uncle off my back because trust me he will know everything we get up to when we get back home. He has spies everywhere and they will inform him of every move Angel and I make. After hours of going at it she's spent and falls asleep in my arms. I feel content holding her in my arms and I'm shocked by my thoughts to say the least. I'm even more shocked when she mumbles these words in her sleep.

"I love you Frankie"

Mother...

This is not the first time she's saying the words to me but the first time doesn't count cause she did it out of desperation. I had just asked her to go tell my uncle she didn't want to get married and she'd came out and said the words. This is a woman that got divorced not too long ago. I could just be a rebound to her for all I know. She's confusing this lustful feeling for love.

'Keep telling yourself that Frankie.