Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 25827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
But right now, while watching Nicolo finally start speaking, and Rollo nodding like he’s just making a mental list of who he needs to torture on his boss’s behalf—
I watch his lips move, and I know it’s just me, but it’s like watching something unfold in slow motion. Lip reading’s never been my thing, but it’s like guilt, heartbreak, and loss have suddenly made me an expert—
I don’t care what it costs us.
She’s my life, Rollo.
I cannot lose her again.
Nicolo takes his phone out and starts making calls. I have no idea who he’s calling, but I know that look on his face. It reminds me of that evening—it was the night after we had our first kiss in the basement parking elevator. That evening, he took me out for dinner, and it was a really fancy place, and it was the most romantic thing ever. I honestly thought he was proposing, and in a way, he did—
‘I want you in my life forever, Juniper. But for that to happen, there’s a favor I’d like to ask.’
That favor turned out to be Nicolo taking over my daily schedule, asking me to quit my job as he signed me up for karate and self-defense. Shooting lessons. A crash course for every type of vehicle there is (I even have a license to drive eight-wheelers, thanks to him!). I went along with it because at that time, I was really thinking we’d be moving to a war-torn country or something.
But now...
As I stare at the ravaged expression on Nicolo’s face—
I realize that the reason he left me, and the reason I hated him, and I’m making him pay now—
All he wanted then...
And all he wants now...
He just wants to keep me alive, and the moment this becomes clear—
“I’m s-sorry, I c-can’t do this, I h-have to go.”
I’m already backing away from the monitor, my heart bleeding from the pain I shouldn’t have inflicted—
Oh.
I bump into something just as hands settle over my shoulders, and it’s Elliot turning me around. “It’s okay—”
“It’s not okay,” I choke out. “It’s not okay, I have to go to him—”
“I know, Juniper—”
“Then let me go!” I try going around him, but he keeps blocking my way. “Elliot, please—”
“I just want you to understand that I need to go with you!” Elliot’s tone is taut. It’s not his attorney voice, and it’s certainly not his flirtatious tone he uses at work. This is just Elliot—
“I need to explain to him that I made you do it. I took advantage of your pain—”
And I finally realize that he’s saying all these things because he got everything wrong.
“He needs to know that you’re not at fault—”
“It’s okay.” It’s my turn to say this, my turn to cut him off with a smile that wobbles hard because I’m this close to breaking down. “It’s okay, Elliot. He’s never going to hurt me.” I didn’t know that before, but I know that now, and that’s why—
“Thank you, Elliot,” I say shakily, “for everything. But I really have to go.”
He slowly nods...before stepping to the side, and then I’m running out of Fred’s apartment—
Running past Rollo who looks at me like I’m a ghost—
And running into my apartment until—
Bam!
Nicolo is holding me in his arms, and he’s just like Rollo. He’s staring at me like I’m a ghost—
“I’m sorry,” I choke out. “I’m so sorry, I was never...I was n-never in danger—”
He cups my face with shaking hands, his dark eyes looking into mine as if he’s reading everything else that I don’t have the words to say—
“Juniper...”
The rawness of his voice has me choking back a sob.
“I’m s-so sorry, Nicolo—”
A powerful jerk rocks his frame, and I thought he was rejecting my apology until—
“My name,” he says hoarsely. “It’s the first time you’ve ever said my name—”
He’s saying it like his name on my lips is a gift, when it’s him...
It’s him...
Oh, Nicolo.
I don’t even think, I’m just rising up, standing on my toes as I press my lips against his.
I love him. I love him. I love him.
Tears are falling faster on my cheeks as I pull away and whisper, “Am I...am I r-really still your wife?”
“Yes, Juniper.” His voice is ragged. “You still are, you never stopped—”
“T-Then make me yours. P-Please?”
He looks at me like I’ve just asked him to...
I don’t have the words to describe it.
All I know is that I don’t even have time to draw another breath, with Nicolo sweeping me up into his arms, and the next thing I know, he’s taken me to my bedroom. He lowers me to my feet, and as our gazes collide, he slowly reaches for me—
W-Wait!
I suddenly remember that I’ve gotten older. Like twenties-to-forties older, and of course that means my body’s changed, and what if he doesn’t realize that—
Nicolo cups my face, and it’s just like before. It’s like he hears my thoughts. Or maybe he just knows me...because he loves me.