Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
The fuck?
“Why would you think that?” I almost bark the question.
“My mother always controlled my weight. I thought maybe you’d want to do the same.”
The. Actual. Fuck?
I suck in a deep breath, so I don’t lose my temper and mutter, “I’m not against it. Just don’t lose more weight. You’re already as light as a fucking feather.”
A smile spreads over her face. “Okay.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I ask, “What else did your mother do?”
Just like before, she shakes her head and replies, “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
“Tell me,” I demand.
She glances down at the weapon in her hands. “They just weren’t happy when I was born,” she answers, her tone sounding strained. “I wasn’t planned.”
She shrugs, then emotions tighten her features, and she tries to smile. “I got my first hug two weeks ago. From Mrs. Accardi. It was really nice.”
First hug?
My blood turns to ice in my veins. “Your parents never showed you any form of affection?”
“No.” She faces the target and lifts her arms to fire a shot.
“Put down the gun,” I order.
Letting out a sigh, she places the weapon on a counter near the wall, then she mutters, “I really don’t want to talk about my parents.”
“Come here.”
Her eyes lift to my face, and she moves closer to me.
Lifting my hand, I wrap my fingers around the back of her neck before pulling her against my chest. I lean down and lock my other arm around her, holding her tight to me.
I feel a tremor shudder through her body, and lifting her from the floor, I mutter, “Wrap your legs around me.”
Gabriella does as I say, her arms circling my neck. I walk to a seating area, and as I sit down, I order, “Straddle me.”
Once again, she does as I say, and when I’m comfortable, I hold her even tighter while pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
“You’re just going to hug me?” she whispers, her tone tight with emotion.
“Yes.” I begin to brush my hand up and down her back, then say, “Relax, principessa. Lean into me.”
Pulling her arms away from my neck, she snuggles against my chest, and it has the corner of my mouth lifting.
I begin to feel the heat from her body, and her scent drifts around me.
Closing my eyes, I focus on how it feels to hold her.
It’s comfortable, and she fits perfectly on my lap and in my arms.
She flattens one of her hands over my side, and I feel the tension drain from her body.
After a few minutes, she admits, “This feels really nice. I like it.”
“Good,” I murmur.
I hold her for a while longer before she lifts her head and sits upright on my lap.
I bring my hand to her face and brush my fingers along the curve of her jaw. “You’re beautiful, Gabriella.”
“Thank you.”
When I remain quiet, just staring at her, she asks, “Should I climb off your lap?”
I shake my head.
When she begins to look awkward because I’m just staring at her, I say, “I like silence. It helps me recharge.”
“I’ll remember that,” she whispers before she leans into my chest again.
The corner of my mouth lifts, and I close my eyes as I get used to the feel of her body against mine.
Chapter 20
Gabriella
Lying in bed, I struggle to fall asleep, my mind filled with the past two days' events.
I saw another side of Damiano today. When he held me on his lap, I actually felt safe.
I felt more than safe.
Whenever I’m near him, there’s a constant fluttering in my stomach and my heart beats a mile a minute.
I’m becoming more and more aware of how attractive he is. The way he moves. The domineering air he carries himself with. The brisk way he talks.
Even the silence.
It feels like he says so much without him saying anything at all.
He held me tight, which means he does have a caring side. He hasn’t hurt me since the incident where he slammed me down on the floor.
He pressed kisses to my hair like he does with Aunt Aida, and it felt indescribably good.
For the first time in my life, a man has shown me kindness. I never in a million years expected it to be Damiano Falco.
My eyes start to burn with tears because now that I’ve felt some form of affection, it shines a glaring light on the cold and lonely childhood I had to endure.
It hurts.
I suck in a slow breath, trying to force the negative feelings down.
I never have to go home again.
I’ll never see my parents again.
They’ll never hurt me again.
Slowly, I start to feel calmer, and my thoughts turn to when Damiano kissed me.
It felt like he wanted me, and he made emotions I’ve never experienced burst in my chest.
A smile curves my lips, and I snuggle into my pillow.