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Dr. DeMarco laughed. “That’s what happens when you lead girls on.”
“Whatever, I don’t lead them on. And regardless, maybe I deserve the shit, but Haven didn’t deserve to get dragged into it.”
Dr. DeMarco’s eyebrows rose. “How did that happen?”
Carmine shrugged. “Wrong place, wrong time.”
“I don’t think she meant any harm,” Haven said quietly.
“Bullshit,” Carmine said. “Lisa knew what she was doing.”
Dr. DeMarco shook his head. “You shouldn’t be put in the line of fire with Carmine’s puttani.”
Haven had no idea what puttani were, but she had a feeling it wasn’t nice. “I’ve survived worse.”
Dr. DeMarco’s gaze was intense. “Yes, you have.”
Everyone turned back to the television, but Haven fidgeted in her seat. Uncomfortable, she wanted a reason to leave the room and leaned toward Carmine. “Do you want something to drink?”
He shrugged. “You can bring me something.”
She stood up, taking a few steps toward the kitchen. “Do you need anything, Dr. DeMarco?”
“No, thank you.”
“I’ll take a bottle of water,” Tess chimed in. “Thanks for asking.”
Haven paused, frightened she had made a mistake, but Dr. DeMarco alleviated her worry. “You’re capable of getting your own water, Tess. There’s nothing wrong with your legs.”
Haven made a cherry Coke for Carmine and grabbed a bottle of water for herself, hesitating before getting a second one. She headed back into the family room and handed it to Tess. Tess raised her eyebrows as she took the water without saying a word.
Haven sat back down and handed the soda to Carmine. “You didn’t have to do that. Actually, you didn’t have to do any of it.” He brought his glass to his lips and took a sip. “I appreciate it, though.”
rusted him, when she’d never trusted anyone in her life. And she knew she shouldn’t, especially him. He was the son of the man who controlled her—his family held her life in their hands. They could kill her, and she’d be defenseless to stop it. But she trusted him anyway. She could feel it in every inch of her body, every beat of her frenzied heart.
Something about this boy had burrowed under her skin.
Carmine leaned forward, pausing an inch from her mouth. She parted her lips, inhaling everything he gave her, and closed her eyes as she tasted his breath.
His face grazed her cheek, the sparks from his skin sending tingles through her body. She could feel the slight stubble of his facial hair, rough and scratchy, as he inhaled deeply. He breathed her in, and she allowed herself to wonder if maybe—just maybe—this frightening creature could want the same thing she craved.
She held on as long as she could, not wanting to let go, but her body’s need for oxygen won. She exhaled as Carmine got up, but she kept her eyes closed. She didn’t want to face reality yet.
* * *
Carmine slipped out of the bedroom, needing to put some space between them. She had him twisted. Up was suddenly down, left was now right, and everything surrounding him was a blur. It was difficult for him to admit he was as inexperienced as her. He could fuck a girl senseless, but when it came to loving one, he had no clue what to do.
Love. The word perplexed him. He wasn’t swimming in lust anymore. This was uncharted territory, and he was fucking drowning.
Carmine walked over to the library and flicked on the light. Blinking a few times, he scanned the titles on the bookshelves, grabbing one before heading back to the bedroom. Haven lay on her stomach on his bed, her feet up by his pillows. He gave her a small smile and shut the door behind him, holding the book out to her. “The Secret Garden. Thought you might like it.”
She took it. “What’s it about?”
He shrugged. “A garden, maybe? A secret? I don’t know. Read it and tell me.”
“Uh . . .” she started, her brow furrowing as she eyed the cover.
He chuckled. A book flustered her. “Look, you don’t have to. I’m not gonna make you write a book report. Just thought it would give you something to do.”
