Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 76309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
He touches the bruises on my throat. “You understand why I blame myself anyway.”
“I do, but I want you to stop. We made our choices. You were there in the end, that’s all that matters.”
He grunts, nodding, but he doesn’t look convinced. He takes my hand. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“You’re taking another bath. When you’re done, we’ll watch a movie in bed together. Then we’ll sleep.”
I lick my lips. “That does sound pretty good.”
“No sex tonight.” His grip on my hand tightens. “Think you can handle that?”
“Please. You’re the animal chasing me around and biting me.”
“True, but I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
“And your teeth.”
“All of me.” He touches my cheek. “Come on. You don’t want to be alone.”
He’s right, I really don’t, even though I still haven’t completely forgiven him yet.
“So long as you can control yourself.” I brush past him, heading toward the master bedroom and it’s beautiful jacuzzi tub. “You can also cook for me while I’m soaking.”
“I can do that,” he says, laughing gently.
I pause in the door to the bathroom and look back at him. “Thank you,” I say.
“For what? You haven’t tasted my cooking yet. You might not want to thank me so soon.”
“For this.” I gesture between us. “Making me laugh.”
“Getting you off?”
“I am not going to thank you for sex,” I say, cheeks turning red. “But yeah, I do like that.”
“Good girl,” he says, and I just about melt.
But he’s true to his word. I take a bath, we eat a decent pasta dish, then watch You’ve Got Mail in bed before he turns out the light.
He doesn’t even try to chew on a fingertip.
Chapter 28
Renata
Lanzo angles his truck toward Carmine’s house. He parks it out front, killing the engine. “You sure you’re good with this?” he asks, seeming worried. “I’d be happier if you were locked up in my apartment.”
“I bet you would be, but I think I’m safe at your freaking mafia boss friend’s house.” I give him a look. He’s been a little too protective these last few days. I’ve done nothing but hang around, watch TV, eat dinner with him, watch movies, then sleep, while he goes around town researching Burian. There haven’t been any new leads, no more murders, all quiet. At least for now.
But I feel myself continuing to spiral. Even if I’m still a little resentful of him trying to keep me from this job, we’re growing closer. The sexual tension’s always there, thick and heavy, but a new layer’s been added onto our relationship.
It’s intimacy. Simple, domestic intimacy. The sort of familiarity that only comes from living with another person, learning their habits, their routines. Their quirks and flaws. I find myself already starting to know him better than I’ve ever known another person before, with the possible exception of Grandpop.
And I can’t decide if it’s a good thing or not.
“I’m really happy you two decided to visit,” Brice says, welcoming us at the door. She gives Lanzo a quick hug. “Between us, Carmine’s been really eager to spend more time with you.”
“I’m sure he has.” Lanzo seems happy and at ease as we walk into the house.
“How many times have you visited over the years?” I ask him.
He hesitates, closing up slightly. “Not enough.”
“Barely a handful of times,” Brice says, chiding him. “Really, Lanzo. You can’t be that busy.”
“I work too much,” he mutters.
She laughs, touching his arm, and directs him toward the hall. “You know where the office is. Carmine’s waiting for you in there. Renata, would you mind? I have wine out on the back patio.”
“Sounds like heaven. This one doesn’t even have a yard.” I gesture at Lanzo with my thumb.
Lanzo rolls his eyes as he walks away.
I follow Brice outside. Their yard is gorgeous with an expansive sitting area, a big roof covering the outdoor space, and a pool with an inflatable giraffe floating along.
“We should let the boys have their alone time,” she says, sitting down in a lounger. She pours me a glass of wine, which I accept. “They really do miss each other, you know.”
“Lanzo talks about them all the time.” Which is true. Since I’ve been with him, he mentions the Atlas boys constantly.
“Carmine adores Lanzo. They all do. He’s a bit hard to pin down, but—” She shrugs a little. Then eyes me over her drink. “Can I ask you something?”
“You’re going to ask me about dating Lanzo, right?”
She waves that off. “I know that’s not real. Carmine’s in on the game, remember?”
I let out a breath like I’ve been holding it this whole time. “That’s right. God, what a relief.”
“No, I want to ask about the looks you keep giving Lanzo. And the looks he’s giving you.”
I tense right back up. “What looks?”
“Oh, come on, it’s like you can’t wait to get him back home so you can rip off his clothes and—”