Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
He sure doesn’t look a decade older than me.
Jesus, don’t use the word decade. It makes him sound like some ancient vampire.
I snap a photo of his ID and send it to Elise with a message.
If I disappear, this man is responsible. Right now I’m at The Mark hotel in Manhattan. Don’t worry. I’ll call soon to explain everything.
Once I’m done, I feel a lot better, and setting down my phone, I look at Adriano again and let out a heavy breath. “I guess we’re doing this.”
He raises an eyebrow at me. “You guess?”
“We are doing this,” I correct myself. “Whatever this is.” Giving him a quizzical look, I ask, “What is this and why me?”
“It is whatever I want, and you, because…” He lifts his hand, and when he brushes his knuckles down the side of my face, I feel tingles racing to meet his touch. “You, because since I laid eyes on you, I’ve been fucking obsessed. Nothing on this planet will stop me from having you.”
Mother of God.
Chapter 9
Adriano
It took more restraint than I knew I possessed to leave Laurie at the hotel, instead of dragging her into my lap and fucking that stubborn mouth of hers until she stopped fighting me.
I should be concerned about how quickly I became obsessed with her, but I honestly don’t give a flying fuck.
If anything, today only fed the obsession.
Her desperation. The fire in her. The way she looked me dead in the eye and refused to back down even though she was terrified.
And Christ, getting my hands on her changed something. It was downright addictive feeling her body pressed against mine, smelling her unique scent, and the way she reacted to my kiss even though it’s not what she wanted.
It tells me the attraction is there from her side, and that gives me a lot to work with.
Now I want more.
No, I want everything. Her fear. Her temper. Her body and fucking soul.
Little Ricky’s been surprisingly quiet during the drive home, and when we pull up the driveway, I see my parents standing at the stone barbecue pavilion in the garden.
The outdoor dining area is shaded by a vine-covered pergola and surrounded by oversized terracotta pots which are filled with white and purple flowers and manicured lemon trees.
While smoke from the grill drifts up into the air, Dad laughs at something Big Ricky says while Tiny’s eyes are locked on Mom as she walks toward the driveway.
She waves at me, a happy smile spreading over her face. When I open the door and get out of the SUV, I unbutton my jacket and take it off before handing it to Little Ricky.
“You look tired, beddu mio,” Mom says when she’s close.
Ever since I can remember, she’s always called me her handsome boy. It’s the same with Remo, who she calls picciriddu mio, because he’ll always be her baby.
“I’m fine, Ma.” I take hold of her shoulder and pull her against me. Curling my body around my mother, who’s much smaller than me, I exhale a sigh. There’s just something very calming about getting a hug from her. “How was your day?”
“Good, but better now that you’re home,” she says while rubbing her hand up and down my back. “You need to stop growing.”
I let out a chuckle as I straighten up. “You’re shrinking.”
“Oh, hush!” She gives me a playful glare, then says, “Come join us.”
I nod and walk to where the men are standing. Patting Dad on his shoulder, I ask, “Are you burning the meat?”
“No.” He uses the tongs to point at Tiny. “He’s eating so much it doesn’t give the meat time to burn.”
“Hey, Pop,” Little Ricky says while throwing his arm around his dad’s shoulders.
“What have you boys been up to today?” Big Ricky asks.
I shoot my friend a look, telling him to keep quiet, but he grins then says, “I helped Adriano kidnap a woman.”
“You did what?!” Mom gasps, her eyes darting to my face.
“I had hoped to keep Laurie to myself for a while, but that just went out the window thanks to fuck face over there,” I mutter. Sucking in a deep breath, I exhale loudly before explaining. “I ran into her a couple of times and decided I want her.”
Dad grins at me as if I just told him I locked in a billion-dollar deal.
Tiny walks to the table and grabs two beers. He brings one over to me then says, “I still remember when your father forced your mother to marry him like it was yesterday.” He gives me a big grin. “So when’s the wedding?”
“What is she like?” Big Ricky asks.
“Which family is she from?” Dad shoots a question at me.
“You’re all incorrigible!” Mom snaps before leveling me with a serious look. “Please tell me you didn’t traumatize the poor woman.”