Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
For now, all I could do was smile in gratitude. His gaze suddenly softened in a way that I hadn’t seen since we were in London. I was so overwhelmed I could only stare at him.
“Come here,” he said in that controlled, low voice of his and I didn’t need a second invitation. He leaned forward. I wasn’t sure what was happening, but I was hungry with anticipation. I felt his hands softly brush the tendrils of escaped hair away from my cheeks.
He gazed deeply into my eyes as though he was trying to understand something about me. His beautiful, blue, honest eyes pierced through me and for the first time in so long, I felt warmth fill me like sunshine.
“Can I kiss you?” I blurted out.
I was afraid he was going to reject me outright. But he didn’t. My heart began to race out of control as I leaned forward, still slightly unsure of my boldness, but he met me halfway.
He pressed his lips to mine and my whole body relaxed. Tenderly, he sucked my lower lip into his mouth, and I began to melt. This kiss meant the whole world to me. I wondered what he felt. He lifted his good arm and curved his hand gently against the side of my neck as he deepened the kiss. I realized this was one of the best feelings in the entire world.
By the time he pulled away, I was almost convinced he must be in love with me. Our eyes opened and met but neither of us said a single word to each other. He turned his head and I followed his gaze and laughed at the sight of Marie scurrying away with a tray.
“Please tell her to come back,” he said. “I don’t have the energy to yell.”
“I’ll go get it,” I said and got to my feet.
“Don’t be long,” he said softly.
“I won’t.”
Chapter 70
Dante
Ishut my eyes as soon as she walked away, but the taste of her kiss still lingered in my mouth. She had drunk something sweet and the aftertaste remained and I couldn’t get enough of it.
I loved her.
I loved her like I’d never loved before. I never even dreamed I could love like this. She had become necessary, like air, sunlight, and food. I was also sure of the fact that I couldn’t wait for another second to see her eyes free of worry and fear. Even though I was now persona non grata with the law I couldn’t wait for them to resolve this absolute mess of a situation with Ugo. Ugo had shown me clearly that there was no negotiating with him. I had to return to my violent roots and deal with him … the way he should have been dealt with from the very beginning.
Nothing but his head on a platter would do anymore.
And I wasn’t going to make it quick or easy for him. Not after what he did to Zola. The sun beat down on my eyelids. I must have looked so peaceful. It was the peace before the storm. I heard her return and opened my eyes. She set the slices of peach pie that Marie had given her and it looked wonderfully golden in the sunlight. Life seemed indescribably beautiful. Here was everything I ever wanted.
Zola smiled at me as she put a small fork on the side of the plate and handed it over to me. I stared at the plate in contemplation wondering if I would spoil the beauty of the moment if I ate the pie.
She misinterpreted my gaze and leaned forward. “Do you need help with holding the plate?”
She sat by my side, sliced a small piece of pie with the fork, and held it out to me.
The beauty became a shining magnificence. “You’re acting out of character. Where’s the fire-spitting little dragon?” I teased.
She blushed. “Maybe.” She placed the fork against my lips. “And maybe I’m not. Maybe this is just how I feel.”
The pie was sweet in my mouth. I chewed it slowly. Savoring it. Remembering how perfect it was. Once it had been a fruit on a tree. Then it had been a slice of warm goodness in Zola’s hands. Soon it will be part of me. Then I looked deep into her eyes. I felt as if I was drowning. Nothing felt real. It was too wonderful to be real.
“And how do you feel?” I asked.
She lowered her eyes. I understood it was too direct a question, but I didn’t expect her to back away either. It wasn’t her personality, and true to form she delivered.
“I care about you… quite… um… deeply. It’s um… okay if you don’t feel the same. I mean, I’ve been such a bitch to you and after the last stunt I pulled I don’t expec-”