Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“Yeah?” The tenderness in his voice nearly undoes me.
My heart feels too big for my chest as I stare at the man I’ve loved for more than a decade.
There were so many times when I convinced myself this would never happen, that Enzo would never see me as anything more than a friend.
Yet here he is, holding me so tenderly and looking at me like I’m the most important person in his world.
My lips feel dry as I admit, “I think I’m freaking out.”
His gaze softens even more, and the corner of his mouth lifts. “I know. That’s why I’m waiting.”
A shaky breath leaves me. “This is really intense.”
“It is.” The words come out rough and honest.
I stare deep into his eyes, into all the affection he’s never let me see before, into all the tenderness I’ve spent years wishing was there. “How are you so calm?”
Suddenly, emotions flicker across his face.
Agony. Relief. Fear. Love. And something so deep it steals the breath from my lungs.
“I’m far from calm, bella mia.” The endearment sends my pulse racing even faster. His intense gaze drifts over my face again before settling on mine. “I just want this to be perfect for you.”
More emotions flood me, making tears sting my eyes.
For a second, it feels like my heart doesn’t know how to survive the reality that we’re finally a couple and I’m seconds from experiencing my first kiss. With the man I’ve crushed on, no less.
Enzo brushes his thumb over the swell of my cheek, and God, the tenderness in his touch almost hurts.
“I thought I lost you, Rosie.” The confession settles heavily between us. “It was excruciating without you.” I see all the pain he suffered when he thought I was gone. “I never want to live through a day without you again.”
I can’t stop a tear from escaping, and when it rolls over my skin, Enzo gently wipes it away.
The man I’ve loved for half my life is letting me see that the thought of losing me nearly destroyed him.
It feels as if the bond we’ve always shared becomes something sacred, weaving together every broken piece until we’re no longer fractured, but one soul.
“This is me swearing my loyalty to you and only you. I will spend my life guarding and protecting you.” His voice grows even deeper and rougher. “I love you, Rosie.”
He presses a kiss to my cheek, his voice hoarse as he whispers, “I love you so fucking much I can’t function without you.”
My tone is strained with emotion as I look into his eyes and say, “I love you, Enzo. From the very beginning, until the end. There will never be anyone else for me.”
His expression tightens even more, his eyes filled with so much tenderness, it makes me feel treasured.
“You’re my sanity,” he whispers.
I didn’t think it was possible for me to fall any harder, but somehow I do, and the anticipation that’s been building ever since Enzo looked at me with desire tightens until it feels almost unbearable.
Slowly, he leans into me, and I swear I’m aware of every inch of him.
His breaths ghost over my skin, the warmth of his body wrapping around me while his hand tightens in my hair.
The anticipation grows until it feels like it’s a living force, and I swear my heart is one beat away from bursting out of my chest.
God.
For years, I’ve dreamed about Enzo kissing me. I’ve imagined this moment so many times, but none of those fantasies come close to reality, and it hasn’t even happened yet.
Enzo closes the last bit of distance between us, and the instant his mouth touches mine, a shiver surges through me.
Instead of losing my ability to think, I’m highly aware of the warmth of his firm lips.
For one perfect moment, nothing else exists. Not our past, or the years I’ve spent wishing for something I never thought I’d have.
There’s only Enzo.
He tilts his head, and when his mouth nips at mine, I’m utterly overwhelmed by an intense rush of tingles. He lets go of my hair, then grips hold of my jaw and throat, his body pressing into mine and forcing me to lean backward.
Nothing… I mean, absolutely nothing could prepare me for the moment Enzo’s tongue sweeps into my mouth. It feels as if he instantly loses control.
The butterflies in my stomach morph into eagles, my legs go numb, a tremble racks hard through me, and I barely have enough brain function to breathe.
Then he lets out the hottest groan I’ve heard in my entire life, and it’s my turn to lose control.
I lift my hands to the sides of his neck, and following his lead, my tongue brushes his, and I savor what has to be the most addictive taste ever.
My God, this must be heaven.
Enzo kisses me like he’s done holding back, like months of grief, fear, and relief have finally caught up with him.