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 brain’s a train wreck, Rory. Sometimes I feel like you might be the only one who can stop me from going off the rails. Sometimes I’m sure it’s inevitable, and I’ll just overrun you in the process.”
My throat clogged up. He thought I had this power over him? I didn’t want to let his words lure me in. I sighed. “Maybe you took too many drugs at the parties, and now your brain’s not functioning properly.”
“Trust me, my brain wasn’t an orderly place long before I had my first glass of alcohol or smoked marijuana.”
“I don’t want to be your stopgap, the one you run to when you’re desperate. I want to be in a real relationship, with commitment and honest emotions, with someone who’s reliable and responsible.”
Nevio shook his head. “Those are not attributes anyone in their right mind would associate with me.”
I glared down at my coffee. “But it’s what I want.”
“Then you really chose the wrong guy, Rory. You’ve known me all my life.”
“Yeah.” He had a valid point. I’d fallen in love with the Nevio I knew, but was he someone I could really see myself dating the way he acted now? “It’s called growing up,” I said eventually.
“What do you want, Rory?”
That was a loaded question. I got up and refilled my cup to gather my thoughts.
“I want you to take care of Battista like a father and stop playing games with me. I want you to be serious about us. I want you to spend time with me without trying to get into my pants constantly and without the crazy stalking.”
I heard the scratching of Nevio’s chair as he got up and moved toward me. He grabbed the counter on either side of my hips. “I’m serious about you. But I still want to get in your pants, and I sure as fuck won’t stop the stalking if it means keeping other guys away from you.” His smile was twisted. “I’m still me, still a Made Man and a bloodthirsty killer, Rory, and that won’t change. Falling for someone like that comes with a price, and you should know that.”
He brought our faces closer. “And stop pretending it’s only me who wants to get in your pants. What’s so wrong about enjoying each other while we get serious?”
Nevio’s hand stroked over my shoulder and collarbone, then lower until his fingers slipped under the hem of my tank, shoving it down in the process. My skin heated when my breast popped out, and his fingers cupped my nipple. A heavy feeling settled in my core, warm and wet. Nevio kept tugging my nipple, and I just looked at him as my breath became faster. He leaned down, his lips sliding over mine as his hand trailed over my belly. My pussy clenched as he got closer, eager for a touch I’d dreamed about countless times.
Battista’s cry burst through my bubble. I tensed and quickly set down my cup, then pushed Nevio’s chest. He stepped back with a look of frustration on his face.
I was relieved for this dose of reality and rushed over to my bedroom where Battista’s crying only grew in volume.
“Fuck,” I gritted out. I grabbed the counter tightly. Aurora had fled as if the devil were after her. She wanted emotions. I wanted her to realize that I could not give her the emotions she desired. Or maybe I hoped to hide this fact from her because I fucking couldn’t imagine losing her right now. She was trying to pull away, and I wasn’t letting her. An asshole move. And exactly my style.
I drew in a deep breath and pushed away from the counter, trying to eliminate the lingering tension in my body.
Aurora returned to the kitchen with Battista. I still couldn’t process that he was mine. I barely had control over my own life, so I definitely wasn’t equipped to take care of a helpless kid.
Aurora walked over to me, but she pointedly avoided my eyes. From the firm set of her mouth, I could tell she was annoyed, and I doubted it was at Battista.
“Here, how about you hold him for a bit?” she asked, holding the kid out to me.
Battista didn’t look convinced, and neither was I.
“Nevio,” she said in exasperation when I made no move to take him from her. “I agreed to help you, but that means you have to do something too.” I finally took him and held him in my arms. Of course, he started crying. What a fucking surprise. I immediately held him out to Aurora, but she shook her head. “Talk to him. Try to show him that you aren’t a danger, that you care about him.”
How was I supposed to do that, when neither was true? I was a danger to everyone and I didn’t know the kid. I hadn’t magically developed any fatherly emotions only because he shared blood with me.