Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22616 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22616 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“I just turned twenty-seven.” I honestly didn’t have a good judge of age. If someone was really old or a lot younger than me, I could tell, but that was about it. The whole middle ground was a mystery.
“Five years.” That wasn’t as big of a gap as I expected this morning.
He caressed my hand and gazed into my eyes, gauging my reaction as he asked, “Is that too much for you?”
“Is yes even an option?” I challenged him. Something about Elio made me playful, almost daring. I’d known him for not more than a few hours. Yes, most of our conversation had been demands by phone, but he’d been more protective of me than my father had been in years. There was a sense of safety around him. I suddenly craved the comfort.
“It is, but it changes nothing. Well, except how I convince you that our age difference is insignificant.”
“How would you convince me?”
He leaned in and whispered in my ear with his dirty little secret. “I’ll have to show you when we’re alone.”
“Mr. DeSalvo, you’re starting to drive me nuts.”
“Starting? Woman, you have been driving me nuts since the moment I laid eyes on you.” His deep resonating voice and determined stare are so intense that I ached to be alone with him.
“Please stop with the flirting, Elio.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re confusing me. I shouldn’t be this attracted to you.” He scrunched his face and pressed his hand to his chest, letting out a gasp like I slapped him or something.
“We told you that you would be,” Peter said from the front seat. Elio tilted his head with curiosity.
“Now, I have to know what conversation you had.”
“She was afraid to marry you, so we explained that most women would gladly fall at your feet and not because you’re wealthy and powerful. It’s also cause you’re so purty,” Marco teased.
“God, you are a natural asshole,” Peter said, shaking his head at Marco who was funny. Of all of the guards, he put me at ease.
“I am. It also doesn’t help that I only slept three hours.”
“He’s a big baby,” Elio said.
“Don’t be mean,” I scolded him.
“Amore, you’re the only one that gets the nice treatment.” He wrapped his arm tighter around my waist and pulled me firmly against him, creating distance between Marco and I.
As soon as we pulled into the airport, he became stiff. “Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s just time to get you on the plane and I don’t want any problems.”
“I already told you I’d behave. I keep my word.”
“I’m not worried about you. I’d tie your pretty ass up if you gave me any shit.” Why was that a freaking turn on. We managed to board the private jet without incident. He sat me down in one of the plushest chairs to ever exist. I held my face tight, trying to hide the fact that I was in heaven. This was too much for me to handle.
“Is something not to your liking?”
“No, it’s great. Amazing actually.” Did I catch a quick glimpse of pride from Elio before his face stiffened again? I swear he had a smile.
“Are you thirsty?”
I nodded.
“Water please.” Elio summoned the flight attendant and had her bring us some drinks. It wasn’t long before we got up in the air. I pressed the glass tightly in my hands as we went up. Although I’d flown before it wasn’t enough to be comfortable.
“Relax. It’s going to be fine.” He took the glass from me and then sat it down beside him in a cup holder before he took my hand and held it tightly. I managed to calm down, but that didn’t stop him from holding my hand the entire flight. By the time we landed in Chicago’s Midway airport, I’d fallen asleep on his shoulder and he gently nudged me awake. “Time to get up, bella mia.”
I lifted my head and gasped, hoping I didn’t drool on his expensive suit. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sleep on you.”
“I always expect you to sleep on me. It would be my greatest pleasure.”
“Well, almost my greatest pleasure. I am sure there will be other things we will enjoy much more.” He lifted his brows and then leaned in for a gentle kiss on my forehead.
When he led me down the plane steps I nearly fell because my uncle was waiting by the large black SUV. “Uncle Joey,” I squealed. I caught myself, remembering we were in public, but he still picked me up in his arms.
“Welcome to Chicago, sweets.” His eyes lifted over my head and then I felt Elio’s hand smoothly glide along my back. They quickly spoke in Italian, something I didn’t think my uncle could speak. The only thing I could make out was sweet or candy. I’m not sure which it meant, but I was assuming it was referring to me.