Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 148962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
“First of all, you kissed me—”
“No, I didn’t,” I protest.
He ignores that and continues. “And second of all, my girlfriend doesn’t care that you kissed me.”
I don’t know why, but hearing the words my girlfriend come out of his mouth grates at me. I’m sure she’s a lovely person, whoever she is, but it just feels…wrong. So I choose to focus on the more annoying thing he said, knowing full well he’s trying to provoke a reaction from me.
“I didn’t kiss you.”
“You definitely did. In fact, you were pretty into it, if I remember correctly.”
The blush on my face deepens. “If that’s what you have to tell yourself, sure.”
His gaze drops to my lips, and warmth blooms in my belly. I try to ignore it.
“Can you let me pass?”
“Sure. Once you pay the fine.”
“What is the fine?”
“Tell me what you were really doing in here.”
“I told you, I was looking for Beppe,” I huff.
“You’re a terrible liar, Gabriela. It’s not in your nature.”
We stare at each other for an uncomfortably long period of time. If it were anyone else, I would have looked away by now. But the weird truth is…I don’t want to look away. I’m not about to admit that, though.
“I just wanted to see what it looked like.” Another fib. “Abella said you guys were gone, and I was bored, so I decided to explore. I haven’t been to this part of the house in years.”
He doesn’t look like he believes that for a second, but he plays along.
“Find anything interesting?”
“No.” I frown. “There’s barely anything in here.”
“I have everything I need.”
“Well, that’s nice. Can I go now?”
A hint of a smile teases his lips. “I’m not stopping you.”
“Are you really going to make me go through that?” I gesture at the narrow gap.
He glances at the space and shrugs. “I don’t see a problem.”
“Of course you don’t.”
I let out an annoyed sigh as I set Beppe down. He’ll have no problem fitting through.
I approach Romeo and wedge myself between him and the doorframe. He doesn’t budge an inch, so the entirety of my body smashes up against his as I try to squeeze through. To my utter humiliation, I get stuck, and the warm, solid press of his frame disorients me.
He turns to face me, offering me a temporary opening to leave. But before I can scurry off, he cages me in with his arms, and my heart picks up speed.
“Hey, Gabi?” His gaze rakes over me, something dark and hungry lurking behind those amber eyes.
“Yes?” I swallow.
“If I catch you in here again—” His voice dips. “I’ll incarcerate you.”
30
ROMEO
[ENTRY 011] — MALWARE ELIMINATED
> Patience threshold exceeded.
> Quarantine insufficient.
> Removal required.
> System stabilized.
Throughout the rest of the night, I catch Gabi stealing glances at me, trying to piece together what she can no longer deny.
It’s self-destructive, but I want that question in her mind every time she looks at me. I want her to think of me, and only me, when I’m inside her.
She wasn’t ready before, but she’s had enough time to process the idea, and it’s a firm possibility in her mind. Her body responds to me, whether she likes to admit it or not. And every time I engage with her as myself, it throws her off so much, she blushes furiously.
I’m flirting with danger, and logically, I know it can’t go on forever. I’m incapable of being what she needs, and that hasn’t changed. But the thought of letting her go feels impossible. I don’t know how to reconcile those two versions of myself—one that wants to be selfish, and the other that wants to protect.
For now, selfish wins.
At dinner, I get under her skin, sitting beside her and stretching out until my leg bumps against hers. She glances down at the contact, but doesn’t move away.
As Rafe drones on about something, engaging everyone at the table, I casually drape my arm over the back of her chair. Her breath falters, and she stares at me, but I don’t acknowledge it.
When it’s time for dessert, I steal her spoon midair, take a bite of her gelato, then hand it back to her.
I wait to see what she’ll do, because I know Gabi doesn’t share utensils with anyone. So when she dips her spoon back in for another scoop and slides it into her mouth, it makes me hard as fuck.
As the conversation around the table continues, I distract her by pulling out a pen and drawing on my napkin.
It’s something I used to do for her when she was feeling overwhelmed.
I studied every subtle change in her, committing them to memory so I’d recognize the moments her mind was screaming, even if no one else could hear it. I couldn’t have known then that she would have to use the same techniques on me.