Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 110824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“What’s that big smile for?” I ask as she gets closer.
“I was just thinking you’re the only man in the world who doesn’t look like he’s melting while standing out in the Miami heat wearing a suit. It’s like you’re a superhero and don’t know how to look anything less than perfect.”
“That’s me, Kitten. I can withstand the heat and I can leap over tall buildings.”
“What happens now that I know your secret?”
“I’m not sure. No one has ever figured it out before.”
“Superman wiped Lois Lane’s memory.”
“I don’t remember that in the movie,” I respond with a smirk.
“They changed everything in the new stuff. You need to watch the old movies. I stream them all the time.”
“I’m free tonight.”
I smile as her eyes go wide with my response. “Is there a reason you’re staying at the house so often, Victor?”
God, I love it when she calls me Victor. Gia has no way of knowing, but that’s the name my grandmother used. The fact that she uses it feels right. To me, it’s just another sign that this woman is meant to be mine.
“Maybe I just love the company.”
Her cheeks deepen in color and her eyes drop down. “Are you sure Emilia hasn’t asked you to keep an eye on me?”
I slide my hand against her cheek and tilt her head, so she’s forced to bring her eyes back to me. Her eyes are a sparkling green that reminds me of sea glass. I am very careful, always touching the scarred cheek, needing her to see that it doesn’t matter to me. “Trust me, Kitten. Emilia isn’t involved. I love spending time with you.”
“I’ll fix dinner.”
“Now, I’m definitely free. Your cooking is addictive.”
She laughs. “I think that just earned your favorite dinner.”
Before she can realize what I’m doing, I lean in and kiss her forehead. I want her lips, but I hold myself back. If this woman knew how many cold showers I’ve had to take because of her, she’d probably run for the hills and hide away from me forever.
When I pull back, her gaze is unfocused, and it makes me smile. She has no idea, but soon, she’s going to be mine. We can’t keep going like this. If we do, I’ll be locked in a padded cell because the woman is definitely driving me crazy.
I open the passenger door of my SUV and let her in. Once she gets settled in the seat, I grab the seatbelt and latch her in.
“Victor, seriously, I can do this myself. I could even drive myself, or heck, take an Uber.”
“If you ever get in a car with someone you don’t know, I’ll turn your ass pink, Kitten,” I grumble close to her ear, while I adjust her belt.
Her gasp caresses my ears as I close the door. I’m starting to think Antonio is right. It’s time I step up my game and make sure Gia knows I want her. Fuck. I’m not a man who gets scared, but I don’t want her to run away from me.
I need to make sure she’s ready before I make my move.
angelina
. . .
It takes the entire ride home to calm my heartbeat. Victor has no idea how potent he is—at least not to me. I know he sees me as his kid sister. That’s the only possible explanation. He’s doing his best to take care of me. It’s sweet. I hate that he saw the mess I was when I found out just how twisted Dante truly was. I haven’t said a word about it to anyone, but I’m pretty sure my mother was involved in everything he did. I haven’t talked to her since the day I moved out and I don’t want to. She’s never been a mother to me. I kept thinking things would change and she would be the mother I always wanted one day. If anything, things just got worse and worse.
As we pull into the drive of my small one-bedroom rental, I sigh.
“Everything okay?”
“I’m just in a funky mood. I like to call it therapy lag,” I laugh.
Victor shuts his car off and turns to look at me. His head tilts to the side as he studies me.
“Was it a rough session today?” he asks, and the concern on his face makes butterflies take flight in my stomach. I feel my face grow warm. I fight the urge to touch my scar. I don’t want to draw attention to it. I know it’s like a shining beacon that I’m a failure. I’ve never been beautiful, even before my attack. Right now, I’d like nothing more than to be beautiful so that when Victor looked at me, he might see someone he could love. I shake my head, knowing that will never happen.
“Deanna is pushing me to get out more. She thinks I should start dating. She brought up Caleb.”