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)
“What happened?” Eros asks, the words so low I barely hear them.
I close my eyes as the memory of that day comes roaring back. I don’t like to think about it, so I try to keep the details brief, leaving out the part about the lightning strike.
“We were at the fair, and there was a storm, so they shut it down. When we made it back to the parking lot, I realized I’d left my phone at one of the booths inside. He told me to stay in the car, and he’d get it for me, but they’d already closed the entry gate. I should have told him not to go, but I didn’t. He jumped over the fence and grabbed my phone, but when he was climbing back over, there was an incident. It ruined his life, and it was my fault.”
A long, heavy silence stretches between us before he finally says something.
“I’m sure he wouldn’t agree with that.”
I don’t have it in me to argue that point. People always tell me that, but the truth is Romeo has hated me ever since he came back to the island, and I can understand why.
“He almost didn’t make it.” My throat tightens around the words. “That day haunts me. Even now, when I feel a storm coming, it steals my breath. So I can’t tell you I’m over it, because I never will be. I’ll carry that pain forever.”
“Gabriela—”
I shake my head, rushing to get the words out while I still can. “I know I can’t change it. I’ve accepted that. It will always be part of my story, but it’s time for a different chapter. What you and I have is temporary, but it means something to me. I may not know who you are, but in a weird way, it’s like I’ve known you forever. I’m comfortable enough to be myself with you, and that’s rare for me.”
Eros stays quiet, anchoring me with his presence. I can’t see his face, but I feel the intensity of his gaze.
“So basically what I’m trying to say with a whole lot of words is that…I like you. That’s my third and final reason.”
“I like you too, Gabi.” His voice comes out rough. “And that guy who broke your heart sounds like an asshole.”
“That’s all you got out of that?” A quiet laugh escapes me.
“No. But I do have one more question for you.”
“What is it?”
“If he were a shark, what kind would he be?”
“That’s an odd thing to ask.”
“Humor me.” He glides his fingers through my hair, sending a cascade of goosebumps down my spine.
I answer without thinking it through, because I already know. “A megalodon.”
He releases a ragged breath and what sounds like a muttered curse. I’m not sure why, but when he rolls over me and presses his forehead against mine, I forget all about it.
“Tell me I won’t be an asshole if I do this with you.”
“You won’t.” I smile against his mask. “I’m quite literally asking you to do it. At this point, you’ll be an asshole if you don’t.”
His chest vibrates with quiet laughter, but it dies off slowly.
“I hope you remember that.”
“I will.” I slide my hands over his back and pull him closer. “Now will you please be a gentleman and take off my clothes?”
10
ROMEO
[ENTRY 003] — BUG DETECTED
> System status: hard AF.
> CPU load: 100%.
> Error source: safe operating range compromised
> Attempted morality install…failed.
> Containment protocol: overridden by primal urges.
> Warning: rule enforcement sequence malfunctioned.
> Proceeding anyway.
“You can take off your clothes too,” Gabi adds hopefully.
I nod and lean over to open her nightstand drawer, grabbing her sleep mask.
“How’d you know that was in there?”
“Because I looked.”
“You don’t even try to hide your stalking tendencies,” she says.
“You’re cute when you’re nervous.” My eyes move over her, memorizing every detail of her face and burning it into my brain.
“What makes you think I’m nervous?” Her voice hitches.
“You’re making small talk.”
That earns me a laugh. “Okay, I am a little. But please don’t read too much into that because I really, really want to do this.”
“I know.” I graze her jaw with my fingers, enjoying the way she shivers for me. “And I’m really, really going to give it to you.”
Even if I am going to hell for it.
“I need to be able to see you.” I hold her sleep mask up. “You want me to do it?”
She bites her lip and nods, and I slide it into place, smoothing her hair down beneath the band. Her body relaxes, and I think she likes it when I take care of her. It’s not surprising, considering she hasn’t had much of that in her life. It makes me want to promise her things I can’t give her—like being the man who always takes care of her.
I pull off my mask and capture her mouth in a kiss instead.