Chapter 25 #2
I gasped as if gut punched. There was the love of my life sporting expensive sunglasses and a pair of tropical printed trunks. His tan skin shimmered under the sun, so infuriatingly handsome.
But it was the woman on his lap moaning as she bucked faster on him that stole my attention. She tossed her head back, her long red locks blowing in the breeze, and she held onto his shoulders as she got off on my love.
Ciro gripped her hips, but I couldn’t hear what he said. It must have been something dirty because she rode him harder and faster.
I turned away, sick to my stomach, and unable to watch any longer. It had barely been a month and he’d already moved on. I touched my stomach, caressing where our baby was safely tucked inside me.
“Okay, Ciro. I won’t destroy your life. Be free my love…” I ran back to my car, my heart breaking for the last time, and drove off, resigned to never seeing Ciro Remotti again.
“Isla, where are you, baby?” Ciro’s concerned voice pulled me back to the present.
“Don’t play games with me,” I snapped, remembering why I’d vowed to never see him again.
“I’m not. You know what I’m doing. You’re just afraid to say it. So, I’ll say it. I’m trying to get you back, Isla.”
“Never going to happen.”
“What changed? One second, you’re softening toward me and the next you seem to dislike me.”
“No, I pretty much hate you.”
He reared his head back like I slapped him. “My-la, what the fuck is going on?”
“Now is not the time to talk about it. I’ll be back.” I stood, and so did Ciro. “Relax. I need to get my jacket and purse.”
I quickly went to my locker, hoping to avoid Falina and Jon. I couldn’t believe how those pains in the butt kept peeking out the kitchen window. Thank God Ciro didn’t see them, especially Jon.
“Trying to sneak off?” Falina snorted behind me.
“Yes.” Apparently, I wasn’t sneaking off fast enough.
“That man of yours is sinfully delicious. Remotti…” Ciro’s last name rolled off her tongue almost orgasmically. “He certainly fits the qualities of a billionaire. Damn, girl.”
I glared at her, disgusted at the breathy sound in her voice. “He’s not my man. What did you do? Google him?” I knew she had, and it was her lustful behavior most women exhibit around Ciro.
“Well, if he wasn’t your man, I’d be all over him.”
My heart stopped. I was so done. “Perfect. Thank you for reminding me why I don’t want him.”
“Aww, come on. I can see he’s in love with you. Of course I Googled him,” she said with pride in her saccharine voice.
“Right.” I sighed, leaving the kitchen and bumped into Jon at the beverage station. “Oh, sorry!”
“In a hurry?” he asked dryly.
“She is,” Falina replied. I turned toward her, ready to tell her to back off.
“Leaving with your ex?” Jon asked.
“Her baby daddy,” Falina whispered.
I was totally flustered, stuck in the middle of them. Couldn’t they see how uncomfortable I was with their nosy questions?
Jon huffed. “Figured that’s who he was when he appeared laying claim to you. I wasn’t impressed. But I guess you can’t help who you love.”
Falina swatted Jon’s arm. “Be nice.”
“Will you both stop?” I whisper-shouted so Ciro couldn’t hear me. He was seated less than twenty feet away.
“Isla?” Ciro’s hand went on my hip. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” I looked at Falina and Jon. “Good night.”
Ciro’s timing was always impeccable. I was grateful to be rescued, even though I was furious with him.
“What was that all about?” he asked as we exited the bistro.
“Nothing.”
He smirked the way I loved. “You’re deflecting.” He led me to the car, his hand on my back. “I was laying claim to you.”
How much had he heard? I didn’t reply as he helped me into my seat.
We sat in silence on the drive to Alba’s. I needed quiet to refuel after being overwhelmed by Ciro, Alba and Jon. I was so angry at all three of them.
But I was angrier at myself.
Every time Ciro touched me, I wanted to fall into his arms. My body was acutely aware of his presence. My mouth thirsted for him. I should drink a glass of vinegar to punish myself for desiring him after he destroyed me.
“I want you and Pippa to stay with me tonight.”
“What?” I whipped my head toward him. “No way.” I laughed at his ridiculous notion.
“Why not?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Because we are not together.”
He huffed in frustration.
“And I have a home.”
“Won’t you try to meet me halfway for Penelope’s sake? I want more time with her and you. You said you don’t work tomorrow. Think of it as a mini vacation. We can spend the day together, order room service, take Pippa out for a walk.”
I focused on the bright lights of the city, an unwelcome flutter spreading through my heart with every word he spoke. It was stupid to consider his proposal. He would destroy me. Destroy Pippa. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“I need to leave tomorrow evening.”
“So soon?” I was beyond shocked. He was going to leave his daughter after just meeting her. Yes, he never wanted children, but Pippa was here. She was his blood, and that had to count for something. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.” I turned away from him and faced the passenger’s window.
“I received a call from an investor just before I got to the bistro. I’ll return to Canada, but I’ll be back in a day or two. Will you stay with me tonight?”
“It would only complicate things.” I couldn’t believe he was rushing back to Canada to deal with a business matter. Couldn’t he handle it over the phone? What about Roman? My will to deny him had been weakening but not anymore.
“Fine.” He took my hand and pressed a kiss on the top. “I’ll stay at your place.”
“Don’t you get it? We need boundaries so the lines don’t get crossed. They can’t even get blurred.”
“Screw boundaries, Isla. I want us to try again. I want to cross the lines.”
“I don’t know.” The words flew out of my mouth unbidden. Clearly, I was already losing the battle, but I had to try… “No, I do know. You don’t always get what you want.”
“Just give me a chance. All I ask is for one chance.” Why did he have to be so persistent?
“You can stay at my place. But on the couch.” Surely, he would hate the idea of being in a place far below his standards.
He growled low. “Fine. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“Just like that?” I was stunned.
“Just like that. I’m going to do whatever it takes to prove to you I’ve changed. We belong together. All of us.” He squeezed my hand as if assuring me all would be okay.
Ciro’s declaration was like an answer to my secret prayers. He sounded resolved as he spoke, but I’d heard it all before. I needed to think of Pippa. For her, I would cautiously indulge her daddy’s request.
Maybe he wouldn’t disappoint me this time.