Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 105734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Friday comes, and Frankie and I go out to eat. He’s very particular about the restaurant and disapproves of my first three suggestions. I wonder if there’s a reason. Maybe his father owns some of the more popular places. I can’t ask that question, though, so I just settle for the restaurant of his choice.
It’s a sushi place, and I have to admit, it’s delicious. We spend nearly two hours chatting over California rolls and green tea. No one interrupts us, and by the end of the meal, I feel like I know him even better than before.
“Do you want to come back to my place?” I ask again. It’s feeling one-sided, this affection I have for him. If he refuses me again, I might have to reconsider putting myself out there.
“Yes,” he says, restoring my confidence in our relationship.
I try to ignore how excited I am at the prospect of spending more time with him, but it’s difficult. My heart has clearly chosen sides. I wonder what Danny would think if he knew that I was playing around with the enemy. I hope he won’t hate me for being weak.
We arrive back at my apartment, and I put on some music. I grab a bottle of wine from my refrigerator and pour us each a glass. Sitting on my sofa, we continue talking about our lives. It’s amazing how much we can say without venturing into dangerous territory. I learn all about the summer camp he used to go to and his friends from the university. I tell him as much as I can about Danny without revealing my suspicions. I also share one or two stories about previous boyfriends until Frankie asks me to stop.
“I don’t need to know who you dated in the past,” he says seriously. “The only thing that’s important to me is that you’re here now.”
“Do you want to spend the night?” I ask him point-blank.
He glances over at me, his smile growing to gigantic proportions. I can instantly sense what he’s thinking and hurry to quantify my invitation.
“I’m not ready to have sex,” I blurt out. “I just thought it might be nice to sleep together.”
“Just sleep?” he asks, slightly disappointed.
“For now,” I say quickly. I’m pleased that he’s so excited to sleep with me; it makes me feel wanted. But I need to protect my journalistic integrity, which means no actual intimate contact.
I’m walking a fine line between moral activities and immoral ones. I tell myself that it’s safe, that Frankie would never hurt me and I’ll be able to put on the brakes if things go too far. But it’s not Frankie I need to worry about; it’s myself. By now, I’m well aware that he won’t do anything I’m not comfortable with. That means the ball is in my court, and I’m the only one who can pull the cork and let the genie out of the bottle.
I push all my worries aside and insist that I want him to stay. He agrees, opening his arms for a hug. I put my wineglass aside and go to him, laying my head happily on his shoulder. We watch a few stupid videos on YouTube before heading to the bedroom.
It’s all I can do to keep my hands to myself. Lying there in bed with him beside me feels almost like heaven. I wonder if I’ll ever experience something this sweet after all is said and done. Frankie will probably hate me, and his father will probably come after me for revenge.
But for the moment, my secret is safe, and I’m free to enjoy the handsome man in my bed. I throw an arm around him and close my eyes to sleep. It’s crazy, but I actually feel safe with Frankie by my side.
CHAPTER 19
FRANKIE
It’s a glorious morning when I wake in Sofia’s bed. I try not to get turned on, but I can’t help it. She’s so beautiful and peaceful, lying there with her eyes closed. But I have to get a move on. I’m scheduled to work with Uncle Gio again today, and I can’t be late.
I kiss her forehead and ease my way out of bed, careful not to wake her. I find my shirt and my shoes. I slept in my pants because I didn’t trust myself not to. She doesn’t have any pajamas big enough for a man, which makes me happy. That means she doesn’t get any male visitors, and I’m free to stake my claim.
I leave a note on the kitchen table, knowing how disappointing that will be when she wakes up. Hopefully, I can smooth things over with some flowers or another dinner date. She knows I’m busy, she just doesn’t know why.
I get back into my car, pulling over to wait in the drive-thru line for a cup of coffee. I grab another one for Gio, just in case he hasn’t had any yet. And I pull into my family’s compound right just in time. Glad I always keep a spare set of clothes in my car when I spot Uncle Gio.