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)
“Victor—”
His name ends on a squeak as he tightens his hold on my hip and pulls me into him even deeper than I already was. He curls his head down and his nose grazes against mine. His hot breath fans against me and then I feel his lips against my ear.
“What do you want, sweetheart? Just ask and I’ll give it to you.”
I close my eyes, because I wanted him, and I already knew that I couldn’t have him. There’s no way that Victor could ever be mine. I’m too damaged both outside and… in. Besides, there’s no way a man like him would want me—at least not the way I need. He’s my best friend. If I push for more, I’ll lose him. I’ve never had much in my life. The future I wanted was erased the night I was violated and something in me died. I can’t survive losing Victor. I never meant to let myself love him, but I do.
I can’t push him away.
I want to look at him and tell him that I wanted something that was unattainable. That I wanted him. I couldn’t find the courage to say that. My heart squeezed in my chest, filling me with pain.
“Something you can’t give me,” I confess.
“Tell me what it is. I’ll give it to you. You deserve everything good, Kitten.” My heart contracts again with his words as I force myself to keep my eyes open as he slides his hand against my neck. “Tell me,” he urges once more. His eyes sparkle as he looks at me and for a moment, I get lost in them.
“The stars in the sky,” I finally respond, knowing that he’d laugh, and I could let go of this hunger to tell him what I’m feeling.
For a second, I think he might be disappointed. Yet, he smiles as he brings his index finger across my eyebrow and down my nose, tapping the end of it. “Then I will find a way to bring them down from the sky and surround you with them, sweetheart.”
“If anyone could do it, you could, Victor.”
He leans in and my lungs seize. Is he going to kiss me? Am I going insane? My heart thumps wildly against my chest and my eyes close as he gets so close his lips are hovering just over mine. I don’t know what alternate universe I’ve crossed into where Victor wants to kiss me, but I hope to God I never have to leave it.
A moment later a tsunami of arctic chilled reality drowns out the fantasy I’ve somehow managed to fall into. Victor does kiss me…on my forehead. I swallow, but make sure I don’t show him I’m upset. He has no idea how disappointed I am. Logically, I doubt he even realizes I thought he meant to kiss me. Maybe I’m being a big baby wanting to cry right now, but it hurts that Victor doesn’t react to me like I want him too.
It’s not his fault. It’s mine. I doubt Emilia ever had one moment of trouble with Niko wanting her. I know Melina didn’t with Antonio. I’m the one that is damaged goods.
“I better go shower. I can’t be late this morning,” I murmur, making sure my bright smile is still plastered on my face.
“I’ll go scrounge us up some breakfast,” he says with a gentle smile.
“I don’t have much of a stomach right now. I’ll probably just grab me a banana.”
“That’s not a nutritious breakfast,” he complains.
I shake my head as I get up, unable to look at his beautiful face any longer. “It’s okay. I’ll make sure to have a good lunch. I never have much of an appetite in the mornings.”
I don’t wait for a reply. I go to the bathroom and close the door. I close my eyes when I’m finally alone and then slowly sink to the floor. I definitely have to make some changes before I chase Victor away.
Starting today.
victorio
. . .
I pull up outside of the shelter, waiting for my woman. Something was wrong again this morning. I have no idea what is going on in that gorgeous head of hers because she stays locked up tight. That’s one reason I’m not really happy that Antonio is sending me to Greece. I want to stay here with Gia. I need to make her see how I feel about her—without scaring her off. It’s important, though. I can’t refuse him. She comes out and instantly it feels as if I’m sucker punched in the gut. She’s so effortlessly beautiful, but it is more than that. There’s a sweetness, a kindness that shines from her, along with an aura of innocence that despite the hell she’s lived through, is still there. My smile disappears when I see that asshole Caleb walking out with her. That needs to stop. I don’t want him anywhere near my woman. I sure as hell refuse to go to Greece until she’s clear on that. I get out before I even realize what I’m doing and walk straight to her. My gaze never leaves Caleb, however. I stare the little prick down—especially as I wrap my arm around Gia’s waist and pull her close.