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Ever the doting husband in public, Rocco stands up as well and waves his hand at Alessandro, who’s been waiting by the exit with the other two security guys. As Rocco’s kiss lands on my cheek, my eyes wander to Alessandro while he’s approaching us with a murderous glare in his eyes. It looks like he’s back to hating me.
“Take my dear wife home,” Rocco says and strokes my hand before he sits back down.
Alessandro follows me out of the restaurant and to his SUV in silence. He doesn’t say a word as he starts the vehicle and pulls out onto the street. I manage to keep it together for almost an hour, but as we turn onto the road leading to the mansion, anxiety skyrockets in my chest.
“Please stop,” I choke out.
Alessandro immediately pulls to the side of the road. The moment we park, I get out and lean my back on the side of the car. Closing my eyes, I focus on taking deep breaths, trying not to think about what will happen when Rocco comes home.
I don’t hear Alessandro’s approach around the car. But it doesn’t matter. Even with my eyes tightly shut, I can feel him standing before me.
“You know,” I say, as the wind tingles my face, “when I was a kid, I thought I was going to be a math teacher.”
“Why?”
“I like numbers. And kids. I guess that’s how I saw myself.” I sigh. “You? Where did you see yourself?”
Silence stretches before he answers. “In jail.”
The last thing I feel like doing is smiling at the moment, but his response makes my lips curve up anyway. “Wanna elaborate?”
“No.”
Of course not. I wrap my arms around my middle, but I doubt it’s because of the cold. A heartbeat passes, and then, a slight caress feathers my face. My eyes snap open to find Alessandro leaning over me. His left palm is braced on the car, just next to my head, while he traces the line of my jaw with the back of his other hand.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
“Nothing. And everything.”
“It’s either nothing or everything. Can’t be both.” His eyes peer into mine. Steady. Enigmatic.
“Why do you care? You don’t even like me.”
“I’d say that neitherlikenordislikeare suitable terms in this situation, Ravenna.”
I arch an eyebrow at his cryptic words. “No? And what is?”
“Something raw.” His face is shrouded in shadows which heighten the sharp lines of his face.
“What?” I whisper.
Alessandro’s touch vanishes from my face. He lowers his head until his lips hover close to mine, just a few inches apart.
“I’m still trying to figure it out myself,” he says and leans into my body.
I should be timid, having such a hulk of a man pinning me down. With the mess my psyche has become as a result of abuse by my husband, I should feel threatened by Alessandro’s size and strength. But instead of fearing his closeness, I want him nearer still.
My most recent dream invades my mind. Thoughts fill with images of him rocking into me against the elevator wall and me screaming in pleasure. How would it feel? Would it be like I envisioned?
“Ask,” he says.
“Ask what?”
“The question I see in your eyes.”
I shiver at the timbre of his voice. “I was wondering if it would feel like in my dream?”
“What?”
