Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 151410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
My eyes slanted to movement on the patio in front of the Falcone mansion. It was early on a Sunday, and usually, the only people awake at that time were Massimo and Nino for their morning swim. But it wasn’t them.
Nevio stood on the patio in swim shorts and a black T-shirt that stuck to his wet skin.
I froze. Nobody had warned me that he would be back, that he was right here in Las Vegas. When had he returned? I’d spent the day before with Carlotta in the hospital as she recovered from pneumonia, so I hadn’t been over at the Falcone mansion. Serafina had watched Battista all day, and Mom had picked him up in the evening for me.
I hadn’t seen or talked to Nevio in nine months. I wasn’t sure what exactly he’d been up to in all this time while I’d taken care of Battista like a mother. He’d probably fucked his way through the Italian girls.
I’d never asked Remo. I hadn’t wanted to know. Nevio had decided to extract himself from my life, from Battista’s life, and I had decided to do the same with him as far as my subconscious allowed, because my dreams and nightmares were still filled with him.
And now he was back.
His eyes slanted to me. Something had changed about him. He seemed even taller, more grown up, harder in a sense but also more serious.
I kept on walking, following Battista who made a beeline for the sandpit. I wasn’t going to make a big deal out of his appearance. I didn’t want it to be. I’d worked my hardest to forget him. I knew I’d have to interact with him because of Battista, if Nevio wanted to see his son, which I truly hoped even if part of me dreaded how close that would bring Nevio and me again. Part of me was even scared. What if Nevio had found someone? A nice Italian girl to marry who wanted to raise Battista with her. He wasn’t my son, but he felt like it, and I was terrified of losing him. Few people understood why I’d so easily adapted to a life full of responsibilities at my age, but I’d never been a party girl.
Steps followed me, and I took a deep breath, knowing what was to come. I’d prepared for this moment for months, had replayed what I’d say, but now his sudden appearance threw me off completely.
“Rory, wait.” Nevio’s voice sounded deeper, more adult. How was that possible in less than a year?
Battista had reached the sandpit and played with the sand molds. I turned slowly, keeping my expression neutral. Nevio stopped right in front of me. He had a new scar on his chin, a white line in his otherwise tanned face. He must have spent plenty of time enjoying the south Italian sun.
“You’re back,” I said, sounding surprisingly unemotional. It was a good thing Nevio couldn’t see into my heart, though, because that one was a complete mess.
Nevio’s eyes traveled the length of me. Droplets of water trailed down his face. His shorts clung to his body, accentuating every inch of his abs. “You look even more gorgeous than I dreamed about.”
My heart skipped a beat hearing those words. He’d never said anything like it before. Instead of letting his praise mollify me, I scoffed. “Really? You never once called, and you probably got it on with countless girls, and now that you’re back, you want me to believe that you dreamed about me? I’m sorry, maybe past Aurora was this stupid, but I’m not, and I’m not going back to being like her.”
Nevio nodded and took a step closer. “I never lied to you, Rory. And I won’t start now. If I tell you I dreamed about you every fucking night, then that’s the absolute truth.” His voice had a slight growl to it that sent a shiver through my body. It reminded me of past encounters that a part of me desperately wanted to relive, but I wouldn’t let that part of me win this time.
“And about me fucking countless girls…You are the last girl I fucked, and if I get my will, you’ll remain the last girl until I die.”
I didn’t allow his words, words I’d so desperately wanted to hear a year ago, weaken my resolve. “So you intend to stay abstinent for the rest of your life?” I congratulated myself silently at how tough and sarcastic I sounded. A quick glance at Battista showed that he was so immersed in his sand play that he didn’t pay attention to us. He didn’t recognize Nevio, that much was clear.
One corner of Nevio’s mouth pulled up in a sly grin, and he chuckled. “I guess I deserve that.”
“Oh no, you deserve far worse for the shit you’ve put me and, worse, Battista through. And I wasn’t joking. I won’t sleep with you. It caused a mess last time, and it’ll cause a mess again. I don’t want that. I don’t need that in my life.”