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)
I chuckled. “They are great, and you gave them a hard time over the years.”
“I did, but they handled it as best as anyone could. And if Battista is anything like me, he’ll need a family to have his back.”
“I want us to be a family,” I admitted. “Let’s work on us a bit more before we think about including Battista, okay?”
Nevio nodded slowly. I turned on the TV. After a while, Nevio put his arm around my shoulders. I snuggled against him, allowing the closeness because my body yearned for it more than I could put into words.
“I think I’ll open your presents tomorrow,” I whispered. His Christmas and birthday presents for me were hidden in the back of my closet. I hadn’t had the heart to throw them away, and now that Nevio and I seemed to be working on our relationship, I was glad for it.
Nevio pulled back slightly to peer down at my face. “I worried you’d thrown them away.”
A small smile tugged at my lips. “I wanted to. Well, part of me did, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it even though you deserved it.”
His expression became more intense, and his eyes darted down to my lips. “I’ll kiss you now, and it’s not going to be the chaste kiss from last time, so if you really don’t want it, you should run. Now.”
I should have run. His lips crashed against mine, following up on his warning, and dragged me down into a whirlwind of sensations. I’d missed this, the fire only Nevio could ignite in me. Only this time anger wasn’t the dominating emotion, and it felt even better. Nevio dragged me closer until I half lay on top of him, his arm wrapped possessively around my back. His palm stroked up my back, over my sensitive neck and higher until his fingers tangled in my hair, his fingers against my scalp. I moaned into the kiss, desperate for more. Despite the burning need in my body, I pulled away. “We’re missing the movie.”
Nevio let his head fall back, eyes squeezed shut. “I don’t give a fuck about Nosferatu right now.”
I smiled at the strain in his voice and kissed his cheek before I sat down beside him. I pretended not to notice the bulge in his pants, but seeing it gave me great satisfaction. If Nevio had removed my pants, he’d found the results of our make-out session too.
“Let’s watch the movie,” I said firmly.
Nevio grabbed the last taco, which had to be cold by now, and stuffed it in his mouth, then washed it down with a few swigs of beer.
After a few minutes, he relaxed against me, and we kept watching the movie. Close to the end, he leaned down to my ear. “Sitting beside you, knowing you’re wet and not being able to do anything about it is pure torture, and people call me cruel. They haven’t met you yet.”
I rolled my eyes.
When Nevio brought me home that night, he gave me another chaste kiss. My body wanted more, and I wondered if I was punishing myself as much as I was punishing Nevio. Battista had fallen asleep beside Serafina so I had the night off. It was strange to be alone in my bedroom. I went to my closet and grabbed the two packages. Perched on my bed, I opened the one from Christmas first. It was a beautiful pendant that shimmered like the aurora borealis. My birthday parcel had the matching bracelet inside. Both were incredibly beautiful.
With a sigh, I let myself fall back on my bed and stared up at the ceiling. My cell phone beeped with a message. When I saw that it was from Nevio, I grabbed it.
Tonight was great. I enjoyed every single one of our dates. It never gets boring with you, Rory. Sleep well. I’ll dream of you.
I don’t think I can sleep. I’m reliving our kiss.
You could get a repeat performance and more. One word from you and I’m there to give you everything you want.
I bit my lip. You would have to sneak into our house.
There wasn’t a reply. I felt disappointed. Maybe I’d hoped for some sexting? Though that would have posed the risk of someone reading our messages. I got up and went into the bathroom to get ready. Fifteen minutes later, I returned to my bedroom in my nightgown and slipped under the covers, then turned off the lights. As soon as I closed my eyes, the kiss replayed vividly before my mind. My core tightened with longing.
With a resigned sigh, I slid my hand down my body to relieve some tension. A hand clamped down around my wrist through the covers while another hand covered my mouth to hold in my startled cry, then a hot breath fanned over my ear. “That’s my job, Rory.”