Chapter 28
CIRO
The day was nearly perfect. I pushed Pippa in the stroller with Isla’s hand gripping my bicep. I felt like the richest man in the world. As Isla told me about her favorite places to take Pippa, I absorbed her gentle voice.
I hardly even noticed Paolo several steps behind us.
“I wish I could take her on more walks. San Francisco is not like Pasadena. We get a lot of fog. Not much sun.”
“There’s one way to change that,” I told her. “I mean, summers are plenty sunny in Canada.”
What if she fought me on moving to Canada? She mentioned Pasadena, where she’d lived her whole life. Not my family’s estate.
“And frozen during the winter.”
“And that.” I winked as my stomach twisted into a knot. Isla hated subzero temperatures.
“I miss the sun, not winter in Canada. I’d move back to Pasadena in a heartbeat. I never wanted to leave.”
We stopped at a crosswalk. I lifted her chin, so our eyes met. “Then why did you move to the Bay Area?”
She exhaled a breath. “The redhead. I didn’t want to risk running into you two together.”
I pressed my forehead against hers. “I’m sorry, baby. I promise you, there’s nothing to worry about. What you saw was a woman tripping on drugs.” I kissed her nose. “I’ve always been faithful, My-la. Always.”
Her whiskey-colored eyes simmered with emotion. “You also told me to never come back.”
Cazzo! I would never live it down, would I? “I’ve never regretted anything more.”
She searched my eyes, then shocked the hell out of me when she lifted onto her tiptoes and pecked my lips. “Let’s go.”
I stared at her in awe, then I followed her lead.
Talking about the past and where we’d both gone wrong was futile.
We couldn’t rewind time, only move forward and do better from here on out.
I sensed that was why Isla had kissed me with Paolo witnessing her affection toward me.
She was a kind, caring, and forgiving woman. She loved me.
I would never take her for granted again.
The sun graced San Francisco and us with its presence. It was simply magical and I hated knowing this time with my girls would come to an end.
“Are you hungry?” I stopped in front of an Italian market.
“A little. I should probably feed her too.”
I looked around and found a vacant bench. “Let’s get you settled here, and I’ll grab us some food.”
She smiled and squeezed my bicep. “Sounds lovely.” A flirty lilt was in her voice as she fluttered her eyelashes. She wanted me as much as I wanted her.
“I want to ravage you when you look at me that way.”
Her cheeks turned pink. “Hmm.”
“You’re teasing me.”
She sat on the bench as I took Pippa out of the stroller.
I’d never held a baby before her, but I felt like a pro.
Except, I hadn’t changed her diaper yet.
Admittedly, I wasn’t eager to learn how to do that task, but I would.
I wanted to be able to care for Pippa in every way.
From changing her diapers and bathing her to calming her down when upset and putting her to bed. I wanted to be that dad.
“As if you aren’t trying to tempt me as well.”
“Guilty.” I placed the baby in her arms and dropped a quick kiss on Isla’s perfect lips to test her reaction. I needed to know if I was still banned from kissing her or if it had been lifted. She gave me a small smile. I’d take it as her approval. “I’ll be right back.”
“We’ll be here.”
After Isla fed Pippa and we nibbled on antipasto skewers and bruschetta, we walked for several blocks. It felt so damn good to talk and laugh with Isla again. Best part? Penelope’s giggles.
I have a daughter. My mind still couldn’t compute the little fact. To think I never wanted kids or a wife.
And now? Now everything was different. I couldn’t imagine my life without them.
Not all the money in the world could buy me the happiness and warmth my beautiful and loving Isla brought to my life.
“It’s four o’clock,” she said, just above a whisper.
The doorman assisted us into the lobby of the hotel. My luggage had already been collected. I didn’t think I could stand taking them up to my room and leaving them, so I did as usual when on a business trip and had the bellhop take my bags down early.
“I know, baby.” I veered off to the side where we could have a little privacy for our good-bye. “Sit with me for a minute.”
She rapidly blinked. “Let’s make this quick.” Isla had a tender heart. Good-byes were difficult for her, no thanks to her deadbeat dad, who never returned after he’d promised to bring her a special treat from the store.
“Will you be okay?” I wrapped my arm around her and tucked her into my side.
She nodded, hugging me back. “I never expected we’d be like this. If I had, I would’ve…” Her voice cracked.
“Shh. We’re starting fresh.”
“Are we?” She lifted her head and looked me in the eyes.
“Yes, we are.” I couldn’t hold back and claimed her lips.
Isla didn’t pull away. To prove to her I was worthy of her love, I didn’t let myself get carried away. Even when her tongue sought out mine and lightning shot into my cock, I maintained control.
I broke away and reeled her into my arms. “I want you desperately.”
“I want you too. Sorry it took me so long to get to this point.”
I chuckled. “Twenty-four hours isn’t all that long.”
She kissed my jaw. “It feels like an eternity.”
“It does.”
“Will you call me?”
I reared back, hearing uncertainty in her voice. “Yes.”
She smiled, eyes wet with emotion. “You better get going.”
“Whatever you need, Paolo will see that you get it.” I took out all the bills in my wallet. “Here’s some cash.” I always had at least a grand on me.
“I can’t—”
“You can and will.” I tucked it into the pocket of Pippa’s diaper bag. “If you need more, Paolo will give you what you need.”
“I won’t need more.”
“Spend it while I’m gone. Buy new clothes for you and Pippa. I don’t care what you spend it on, just spend it.”
“I appreciate it.”
“It’s the least I can do.” I gazed deep into her sweet honey-colored eyes. “I’ll get you a black card, so you’ll always have access to money.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to.” I dragged my hand down my scruffy cheek as I peered at Pippa, peacefully asleep. “I don’t want to leave you both.”
“You said you’d be back by Thursday night, right? The days will fly by, and you’ll return before you can miss us.”
“Always a glass-half-full kind of girl.”
“Optimism makes life better.” She smiled brightly.
“You make life better.” Cheesy much? Damn straight I was, because I loved this woman with my whole heart. I was tired as fuck holding back from her. Tired of not living life to the fullest and of letting my inner fears control me.
“I’m not sure what changed with you, but I like this new side.”
I quirked up an eyebrow. “Only like?”
“Maybe more than like. I’m just cautious. It’s like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
I cradled her face. “Not gonna happen.” If I managed to fuck things up with Isla for a second time, I didn’t deserve her. It wasn’t just Isla I stood to lose. There was also my daughter. No chance I’d let that happen.
“I hope you’re right.”
I lowered my lips to hers and sealed them with a kiss. In the past, I’d been unpredictable. When I felt like I was getting too close to Isla, I pulled back. She’d put up with my shit until she’d had enough. I wouldn’t put her through that again.
It didn’t mean I no longer had issues. I sure as hell did. But I was motivated on a new level to work past them once and for all.
I had everything to lose if I didn’t do right by Isla.