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I shake my head. “Nina should keep her mouth shut.”
“If she did, you wouldn’t have lasagnaal fornofor dinner, would you?”
I groan, my stomach rumbling despite just polishing off a good helping of fried cheese. “If it’s as good as the mozzarella incarozza, then I’m excited.”
Akhil returns with one of the best lasagnas I’ve ever had, even in Italy. And I polish every bite off until I’m so full I can hardly move. I hate the way he’s acting so thoughtfully, making our last meal here so memorable. Especially after learning that he’s the reason Cathal dumped Nina, something I’ll never forgive him for, even if his reasoning makes sense. If Cathal went running just hearing of her mental health issues, what good would he be if she has an episode?
33
ISIAH
Iswirl the ice in my tumbler as it clinks against the glass before taking a long sip of whiskey.
Across the table, Bella sips her own glass of whiskey. Silence falls between us, but it’s oddly comfortable. It has been ever since the day after I admitted I have a vendetta against her father.
The week in the Maldives had seemed like a good idea. A perfect chance for me to force my wife into submission, and yet instead, I feel myself falling for her. At least, I think that’s what’s happening. It’s sickening.
The servers from the restaurant dedicated to serving only us come out with the last course, dessert. However, all I really want to eat is Bella. It’s our last night and I fear if I don’t tell her the truth, everything will change once we’re back in Washington.
“Chocolate souffle,” he announces before removing the silver lid off the platter from Bella’s first and then mine. “Enjoy.”
Bella licks her lips. “I love chocolate. I didn’t think I could manage anything else but screw it!”
That word, love, makes me tense. Could I really ever love again?
I knew love, in a different capacity, with my brother Aiden. And yet, somehow, this beautiful vixen has started to deconstruct the walls of steel which were built around my heart the moment he died.
“Bella,” I mutter her name.
She looks up at me, brows furrowing no doubt at the seriousness in my tone. “What is it?”
I shake my head. “I know we’ve had this push and pull between us since the day we met practically, but I want to put it all behind us.”
“Behind us?” she questions.
I nod. “Yes, I feel we’ve made good progress here on the island.”
She bites her bottom lip. “I’m not sure that you forcing me to bend over the bed so you can spank me raw, is progress.”
I chuckle. “Then why did you moan my name the entire time?”
Her cheeks flush and it’s detectable even in the dim candlelight. “Don’t be so crude.”
I arch a brow. “You’re the one who mentioned me bending you over.”
She shakes her head and sighs. “How can we put it behind us when you drive me insane?”
“Because the truth is, despite who you are, I think I’m falling for you.” I grind my teeth the moment those words are out. “You make me feel like no one else ever has.”
Her eyes become shuttered as she shakes her head. “Despite who I am? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
I swallow hard as I wonder if slipping that in is going to end in disaster. “A Benedetto.”
“So, you decide to tell me you’re falling for me, despite my family who you hate? Is that correct?” She sits up straighter, the anger building in her eyes. “And why exactly do you hate them? You still haven’t made it clear what my father did to you.”
This is going worse than I expected, and despite wanting to be truthful with her, I can’t. There’s no way I can tell her who I really am. Joe Isaiah Dalton. It’s just not an option.
“It doesn’t matter why.”
