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“Then you really chose the wrong guy, Rory. You’ve known me all my life.”
“Yeah.” He had a valid point. I’d fallen in love with the Nevio I knew, but was he someone I could really see myself dating the way he acted now? “It’s called growing up,” I said eventually.
“What do you want, Rory?”
That was a loaded question. I got up and refilled my cup to gather my thoughts.
“I want you to take care of Battista like a father and stop playing games with me. I want you to be serious about us. I want you to spend time with me without trying to get into my pants constantly and without the crazy stalking.”
I heard the scratching of Nevio’s chair as he got up and moved toward me. He grabbed the counter on either side of my hips. “I’m serious about you. But I still want to get in your pants, and I sure as fuck won’t stop the stalking if it means keeping other guys away from you.” His smile was twisted. “I’m still me, still a Made Man and a bloodthirsty killer, Rory, and that won’t change. Falling for someone like that comes with a price, and you should know that.”
He brought our faces closer. “And stop pretending it’s only me who wants to get in your pants. What’s so wrong about enjoying each other while we get serious?”
Nevio’s hand stroked over my shoulder and collarbone, then lower until his fingers slipped under the hem of my tank, shoving it down in the process. My skin heated when my breast popped out, and his fingers cupped my nipple. A heavy feeling settled in my core, warm and wet. Nevio kept tugging my nipple, and I just looked at him as my breath became faster. He leaned down, his lips sliding over mine as his hand trailed over my belly. My pussy clenched as he got closer, eager for a touch I’d dreamed about countless times.
Battista’s cry burst through my bubble. I tensed and quickly set down my cup, then pushed Nevio’s chest. He stepped back with a look of frustration on his face.
I was relieved for this dose of reality and rushed over to my bedroom where Battista’s crying only grew in volume.
“Fuck,” I gritted out. I grabbed the counter tightly. Aurora had fled as if the devil were after her. She wanted emotions. I wanted her to realize that I could not give her the emotions she desired. Or maybe I hoped to hide this fact from her because I fucking couldn’t imagine losing her right now. She was trying to pull away, and I wasn’t letting her. An asshole move. And exactly my style.
I drew in a deep breath and pushed away from the counter, trying to eliminate the lingering tension in my body.
Aurora returned to the kitchen with Battista. I still couldn’t process that he was mine. I barely had control over my own life, so I definitely wasn’t equipped to take care of a helpless kid.
Aurora walked over to me, but she pointedly avoided my eyes. From the firm set of her mouth, I could tell she was annoyed, and I doubted it was at Battista.
“Here, how about you hold him for a bit?” she asked, holding the kid out to me.
Battista didn’t look convinced, and neither was I.
“Nevio,” she said in exasperation when I made no move to take him from her. “I agreed to help you, but that means you have to do something too.” I finally took him and held him in my arms. Of course, he started crying. What a fucking surprise. I immediately held him out to Aurora, but she shook her head. “Talk to him. Try to show him that you aren’t a danger, that you care about him.”
How was I supposed to do that, when neither was true? I was a danger to everyone and I didn’t know the kid. I hadn’t magically developed any fatherly emotions only because he shared blood with me.
Aurora let out a sigh and took him from me. She frowned at me. She didn’t look angry, only disappointed. I would have preferred her anger. “If this is you trying, then we really have a problem, and you need to talk to your parents sooner than later. And I really think you should only come over when Carlotta is here in the future.”
Ouch. I nodded slowly. “I told you so.”
“I think the problem is that you’re telling yourself that you can’t do it, when you simply don’t want to.”
I could see and feel Aurora pull back from me, but it was like we were connected by an invisible rope, and the more she tried to pull away, the more I wanted to drag her back to me. “Fuck, I’m trying, Rory. This isn’t easy for me either. I haven’t slept with anyone in months. I’m here with you and Battista when I should probably grab some sleep. Give me some time.”
She sighed. “Okay. Then let’s all have breakfast together.”
I nodded and sank back down at the table. Aurora put Battista in his high chair before preparing his morning meal. Battista eyed the colorful donuts with interest. I pushed them over to them. His eyes widened, and he snatched up the pink one closest to him and squeezed it tightly until the filling shot out. He slammed his palm down on the white cream with a giggle and brought it to his mouth. His eyes grew even wider when he tasted the sugary filling, and he began to lick it off his hands eagerly.
Aurora raised her eyebrows. “I suppose keeping sugar off his meal plan is a fail.”
Aurora’s phone beeped. My eyes immediately checked who had messaged her. Of course, Aurora noticed and sent me a glare. It was from her mother.
Aurora scanned the message with a frown. “Mom asks me to come over for dinner tonight. Apparently, a big Falcone-Scuderi feast is planned. Kiara went all out.”
She and I both glanced at Battista. “Carlotta can watch him, right?”
Aurora nodded, but her hesitation was plain on her face. “I have to ask her. I can’t just expect her to babysit whenever something comes up.” She bit her lip. “Tonight would be a good chance to tell your family.”
“No,” I said immediately. “I’m not going to tell them before I have figured it out myself. This isn’t just any news. It’s a huge mindfuck of news.”
