AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I crash my lips over his and he groans into my mouth. Hoisting myself up, I wrap my legs around his waist and he grabs hold of my ass with one hand, his other tattooed hand snaking to grab my neck again.
“Fuck, Rosa,” he growls, his hard on pushing against my panties.
“We can’t do this, not here.” He sighs, resting his forehead against mine.
I cup his stubbly jaw, bringing his eyes to me. This hurts him, too.
“Why don’t we just run?”
He sucks in a breath. “Trust me, Rosa, I’ve spent the last three months debating every option to get out of this. Trying to find a way back to you, where I can whisk you away and we live our lives on the beach. There just isn’t a way. Not right now, at least.”
Tears brim in my eyes. I unwrap my legs from him and he helps me stand. Pulling down on my dress, I can’t even look at him.
“I guess that was our last kiss, then.”
I try to hide my bitter disappointment at his rejection.
We stand there in silence, the air crackling around us.
I clear my throat to break the spell.
“I best go back in before Uncle Frankie starts looking for me,” I mutter and he nods, taking a step back.
“If you ever need me, you know where I am. I mean it.”
I scoff. “I don’t think so. You have a new life to be planning. You don’t need me pestering you. I’m a big girl now. I can cope on my own.”
Maybe if I say the words out loud, he might believe them. I’m starting to, but it would have been a hell of a lot easier with him by my side, helping me fight.
Hurt flashes across his face and his brows furrow. Taking a step back towards him, I brush my fingers along his dark stubble.I don’t want him to hurt, either.
“Hey. It’s okay, Luca. I promise you. We can still be friends?” I give him a sweet smile.
We both know that would never be an option. It would tear us apart. We can’t resist each other.
“And I’ll always be grateful for everything you’ve done for me, Luca. You changed my life, you brought me back to life. And for what it’s worth, I’m proud of you. The way you protect your family. They don’t know how lucky they are to have you in their corner. You deserve to find happiness, too.”
He nods and nuzzles his face into my palm.
“The one person who brings me happiness is the only person I can’t have.”
“No, but sometimes you can’t have it all.” I lean forward and press a quick peck on his cheek, and he sucks in a breath as I do.
“I’ll see you around, big shot,” I whisper and push open the door.
My heels click along the wooden floors. Maddie is still waiting in the hallway for me. She gives me a bright smile and a wave as I make my way to her.
“All good?” she questions.
“I’ll be okay,” I say, holding back the tears.
“Oh, Rosa. Come here,” she says before wrapping me up in a motherly embrace. Something I haven’t experienced since my mom died.And I lose it. I break down, sobs wracking through my chest and she holds me tight.
“I can’t do this.” I thought I could, I thought I could face him, the booze, everything. But it’s too much. I’m scared I’m slipping right back to where he found me. I don’t want that. Not anymore. I’ve been given a taste of a happier life, and I want to hold onto it.
She pulls back, holding my shoulders, her bright blonde hair shining in the lights.
“You can do this, Rosa. I promise you.” She digs out her phone from her bag and hands it to me.
