Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 68628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Yeah, I got it. "OK, I can do that.”
"You have your friends here. They've all been vetted, but you don't make new friends unless you run them by me. You don't so much as order a coffee from a coffee shop without talking to me first."
Alright, so this is admittedly getting a little heavy. I'm someone who likes her freedom. I flit about the country like I'm touring it, for crying out loud. But I remind myself this is only for six months.
"Do you see this button here? Press it, and a driver will take you wherever you need to go. It's an armored car. And I want you to clear your slate every single day by four. No plans."
"Why is that?" I ask curiously. I'm trying to keep my tone playful, but the guy’s kinda freaking me out.
"Because that's when you'll have your self-defense lessons."
Ooh, I've always wanted self-defense lessons. "Do I have a teacher?"
His eyes darken. "Me."
"It's a date," I say triumphantly. "I love that. Self-defense. Does that mean you'll have your hands all over my body?"
His dark eyes grow impossibly darker. How does he do that? Leaning in, he brushes his knuckle against my cheekbone. "I can guarantee that."
"It seems you've only come short of actually physically AirTagging me," I say sweetly, while giving him a look like, um, chill the fuck out.
"Only because they wouldn't be here in time," he mutters.
When my jaw drops, he smiles. A rarity with him. "I'm kidding… Sergio wouldn’t let me."
This time, I don't know if he's joking. I take a glance at my new space-age phone. "Is that Candy Crush?"
He shrugs. "I had Marialena put a few things on there. I don't know what you use."
I don't know what I use either.
“We’re going to have our first lesson, but I'm starving. You?"
"Not sure if you noticed, but I'm pretty much always hungry. It takes a lot of energy to be this witty… and gorgeous."
"And you’ll need that energy for what I have planned for you later," he says cryptically. "We'll go out and get some lunch. We need to test the safety protocols I put in place, anyway."
The safety protocols he's put in place. OK, then. Just a regular Tuesday over here folks.
"Got it. I have a question, though."
He steps back and nods soberly.
"Where do you live? We went on a honeymoon, and it looked like a resort or something."
He nods. "It was. I rented out a resort."
No biggie. He rents out resorts the way some people order coffee.
"But you don't live at Bella Notte, do you?"
"No. I have a really simple apartment. But I can get you anything you want—"
"I like simple." I do. "Like, this ring that you bought me, it's beautiful. But I truly would've been as happy with a cubic zirconia or, like, a ring tattoo. I’m no frills, Adriano."
"I know that." His eyes warm, but then quickly go back to being concerned and sober.
"I'm kind of a nomad," I tell him. "I don't live at Bella Notte, but it's definitely my favorite place to spend the night."
I am the queen of really cheap Airbnb's and hotel reservations when necessary. Yeah, I've had my share of homes, but I like having no commitments. And that includes a mortgage or a rental agreement.
"I’ll take you to my apartment, but I'm telling you, it's nothing impressive."
"We covered that. And, Adriano? There's plenty about you that is impressive, OK?"
He looks away but deadpans, "What was that you said about a magical dick?"
I slap his chest, and of course, it doesn't even do anything but send a couple of little specks of dust into the air. "I never said anything about a magical dick."
That gets a smile out of him. This time, my heart sings opera in soprano.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“FLOWERS FOR QUINN”
Adriano
She took that better than I thought she would. Quinn likes her freedom, and with me she is anything but free. Maybe she's just telling herself it's only six months, and like we said before anyone can do anything for six months.
Not anything. I know that from personal experience.
"Surprise number two." I show her the new armored vehicle I have for her. It's fully equipped with every safety feature possible. She doesn't own a car, and there's no way in hell she's using public transportation. And yes, I could arrange a ride to take her everywhere she goes, but I don't want her to feel as if I've clipped her wings completely.
She can have her phone, and she can have a car, but I'm not even going to pretend I'm not tracking her every minute.
It’s who I am, and I won't apologize for it.
"Whoa. This is amazing!"
"I'm glad you like it." I shove my hands in my pockets. "But when we're together, I drive."
If she drives the way she talks, we're fucked.