Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 15867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 79(@200wpm)___ 63(@250wpm)___ 53(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 79(@200wpm)___ 63(@250wpm)___ 53(@300wpm)
"Is that what you think?" she asks, eyes flashing as she meets my gaze. "You're really that blind? You honestly don't know why I'm upset?"
I frown, confused. "No, I don't. You're the one who agreed to this plan in the first place. I told you from the beginning that we would be married, but it wouldn't have to be anything more than that. I gave you an out. I did exactly what you wanted. What the fuck do you want from me now?"
"Nothing." She pushes against my arm, trying to get past me. I let her go, watching as she stalks toward the stairs. "Just leave me alone, okay?"
"Fine," I snap. "Have it your way."
I'm too worked up to follow her. All I want to do is kiss her until she's forgotten about whatever is wrong, drag her back to bed, and fuck her until she forgets about being angry at me. But if she wants to be that way, fine. She's going to get exactly what she asked for.
My father is sitting in his recliner when I walk into his room, reading a newspaper and drinking coffee. He looks up and grins when I walk in, motioning for me to take a seat.
"Welcome home," he says. "Did you enjoy yourselves?"
"Yes, thank you. I didn't get a chance to talk to you before we left. Did you enjoy the wedding, Pops?"
"Of course, I did." He folds the paper and sets it aside. I'm glad to see he looks the same as when we left. I know he's not going to get better, but every day he doesn't get worse is a blessing. "It was perfect. Exactly what I wanted to see before I go."
"Don't talk like that, Pops."
"No, it's true. I'm dying, and I want to die knowing that you're settled."
"I am settled," I promise him.
"I know," he agrees. "But that alone isn't enough. You need someone who can love you with everything they have. Someone who can be by your side through thick and thin. Someone who will be loyal and stand with you no matter what happens."
"And you think Maria is that person?" I ask skeptically.
"I do." My father smiles at me. And then, he says something that makes me think maybe I'm not as smart as I think I am … something that tells me my father knows more about the circumstances of my marriage than he's letting on. "You just need to convince her of that."
Startled, I ask, "What do you mean?"
"You're a hard man, Xavier. I can't fault you for it. I was the same at your age, but I can give you some advice that I hope you'll take—don't waste time. It goes too fast. And don't forget to be open around the right person. The one person who sees all the best parts of you, who makes you want to be a better person, will be worth everything in the world. But if she can't find a way in through that hard exterior, she might slip through your fingers."
I'm dumbfounded. "Did you already know—"
"We can talk later, Xavier, but if the yelling I heard when you and your new wife got home is any indication, you have some amends to make. Go before she has time to realize just how difficult we Romano men can be."
He doesn't need to tell me twice.
I find Maria on the second floor of the porch, leaning against the railing in a pose so similar to the first night of our honeymoon that I have to clench my teeth to stop my cock from getting hard. Remembering the way I'd made her come all over my fingers under the open sky is too heated a thought, and I need to keep a clear head.
She doesn't notice me until I'm standing inches away, and I reach out to grip the wooden rail on either side of her.
"Wife," I say the words into her hair, inhaling the scent of vanilla and lingering notes of coconut sunscreen. "Don't run from me next time."
She stiffens. "There isn't going to be a next time, remember?"
Those words are all I need to confirm the suspicions that my father planted in my head. I've been thinking I'm a fool for feeling the way I do about Maria so quickly, and that fear of foolishness led me to hurt her without even knowing it.
I press my lips to her neck once before whispering, "Fuck that. I changed my mind."
Her eyes go wide when she pivots in my grasp to look at me. "What do you mean?"
"It means I think we're both stubborn as hell, and just this once, I'm willing to be the one to crack first. Because Maria, I love you."
She stares at me for a second, and I start to worry I've gone too far. Maybe this isn't the right time to tell her how I feel. Maybe—