AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Wait until you find out about the one that I’m faced with now," I grumble as I pull a beer from the refrigerator and offer it to him. Then, I head over to where I have a bottle of tequila stowed away at the back of a shelf. I pull it out, and turn to find a glass.
He arches an eyebrow. "That much of a challenge?"
"Worse." I pour myself a shot of the alcohol, then toss it back. I cough, then grab a glass, fill it with water and drink from it. When I’ve finally composed myself, I turn to find him watching me with an amused glint.
"It can’t be that bad."
"You have no idea." I proceed to tell him everything, and when I’m done, he bursts out laughing. He laughs so hard that the bottle in his hand tilts, and some of the liquid spills over the side.
"Watch it." I mop up the liquid and toss the paper napkin in the waste disposal basket. "It’s also not that funny." I scowl.
"It’s hilarious. In fact, it reads like a comedy of errors." He chortles.
"Hmph." I cross my arms across my chest and lean against the counter. "So, will you come with me to dinner tonight? I couldn’t think of anyone else who could play the role of my fake fiancé."
"You sure this mobster beau of yours won’t shoot me for it?"
"He’s not my beau." I shuffle my feet. "I slept with him, once." I think about lying, but the least I can do is be honest with the person here to help me. “Okay, twice.”
"Well, clearly, you made an impression on him, if he hasn’t forgotten you."
I bite the inside of my cheek. To be fair, I haven’t forgotten him, either. I remember every touch, every kiss, every stroke of his palm on my hip, every brush of his fingers over my clit, every breath of his on my cheek, every nudge of his lips against mine, seducing me to open my mouth for him, part my legs for his invasion, press my aching breasts against his chest. The humor in his eyes, which occasionally surfaced when he thought I didn’t notice, the softness in his features whenever he pulled me into his side. The banter which we traded, the way he seemed to tolerate my flashes of temper. God, there’s no one else with whom I’ve ever felt this comfortable, yet this turned on. The intensity of our connection was something I’ve never experienced before. And I may never experience again. I grip the edge of the counter and blink against the telltale pressure that crowds the backs of my eyes.
"You’re in love with him," he states.
I jerk my chin in his direction. "What, no. What gave you that idea?"
"The fact that you look like you lost your best friend?"
My features crumple. He walks over and pulls me into a hug. "Didn’t mean to upset you."
"You didn’t. Well, it wasn’t only you. I’ve been such an ass. And I barely know the man, so how can I feel so much for him? Also, I can’t just give in and marry him, you know. I need to figure out what I really want first." I press my face into his shoulder. Draw in his scent… which is male, but strange. Nothing like the darkness and testosterone that is Massimo.Jesus, why am I so hung up on him?I made my decision to walk away from him. Why can’t I stick to it now? "I’m so confused." I swallow.
He pats my shoulder as I compose myself.
"I’m fine now." I push away and he steps back.
"Come on, have a seat." He pulls me over to sit at the table. Then refills the glass of water and sets it in front of me.
I take a sip, and another. "I’m good." I place the glass back on the table as he drops down in the chair across from me.
"The way I see it, you have three choices now."
I tilt my head.
"Either you can come clean to your family that you love him and tell them you want to marry him."
"Never," I say with finality.
"Or you can tell him you love him, and accept his proposal to get married."
I scowl. "And the third option?"
He lowers his chin to his chest. "I don’t have a third option."
26
Olivia
