Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 74(@200wpm)___ 59(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 74(@200wpm)___ 59(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
“A mistake? I don’t believe that to be true. Isabella, I couldn’t let you leave now—unless I’d follow you back to America.” I sounded insane, but I didn’t give a shit. I was obsessed.
“You don’t even know me.”
She had a point, but my soul knew it the second I saw her exit the building. My heart raced out of control and all I saw was a future with her and our family we made. “Well that is what we have time for. Let me be your personal tour guide.”
The waitress came to take our order. So while we decided, I sent out a text to Cosimo to do some digging. After the waitress wrote down what we wanted and left, I asked, “So can I take you on a tour of Naples?”
“I don’t even know you. How am I supposed to trust you?” Smart.
“You trusted some other man and he abandoned you,” I growled, mostly to myself. “I’m not going to hurt you, but I want to ask you something. What made you cry earlier?” If it were being left here, I’d bury the fuck that forgot about her.
“The Pompeii exhibit. I mean I guess that makes me soft.”
“Amore, it’s there for a reason. It would not be such a special exhibit if it weren’t for the tragedy that happened in 79A.D. Pain and fear, hopelessness frozen in time.” Her eyes welled-up with tears and fuck, I wanted to kick myself. “I’m sorry, cara mia. I didn’t mean to upset you again.”
“No. See how silly I am?”
“There is nothing silly about it. Nothing. It was what drew me to you. I saw your gentle heart, and I wanted it for my own. I want you more than I can express, but I will take you on a small tour after dinner.”
“Okay.”
The food was excellent as usual. I watched Isabella move around her salad, hardly touching it. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just a little uncomfortable.”
“Listen. I’d like to go back to my hotel room. I’m not feeling up for a tour or anything else.” She appeared to suddenly get sleepy which bothered me. I wished I could take her back to the villa and let her sleep in our bed, but I knew it was too soon.
“Was it something I said?” I asked, hoping that I was reading her tired look correctly.
“No,” she exclaimed, shaking her head and gesturing with her hands.
“Well then what is it?”
“I think all that nervous energy made me tired. All of a sudden, I’m exhausted.”
“That’s fine. We can continue our date tomorrow around two. I have work that I must do, but I promise to make you see the wonder that is Naples.”
“You don’t have to waste your time being my personal tour guide.”
“I want to be your—tour guide.” I stood up and extended my hand to her. She took it without hesitation, and I closed my hand around hers, feeling the softness. Fuck, it felt incredible. I could get used to this.
She gave me the name of her hotel. It was one that I owned which made me feel slightly better. I opened the back door to my black Jaguar. I helped her in and sat beside her while Cosimo drove us the ten minute drive to Casa DiMarco.
He pulled up to the entrance and then held the door for us. Everyone in the area stole a glance or two, but quickly turned their heads. I’d never been seen with a woman, so this was a shocker. Even though this was my hotel, I didn’t feel she was safe alone. Being seen with me automatically made her a target to those wanting money and power. I had both, but now I had something so much more precious.
“Let me walk you to your room.”
“That’s okay. I’ll be fine. This is supposed to be the safest hotel in the area.”
“I know it is, but maybe I want a few more minutes of your time.”
“Oh shit. Where is my keycard?”
“You’re missing your keycard?”
“It was here earlier. I’m sure of it. Shit,” Isabella muttered, digging through her purse which wasn’t large at all.
“That’s okay. We can get another card.” We walked up to the desk and I asked in Italian for a replacement card for her room and not to say anything about me owning the hotel. They nodded and asked, “Your room number please.”
“Room 305.” They activated a new set of keycards which deactivated the old one. They gave me one as if I were staying too. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t invade her space. We took the elevator and I kept my distance, so I didn’t slam her against the wall and take her like I ached to do.
“This is me. I bet the other card is in here somewhere and I’m blind.”
“Well, it’s better than nothing. So tomorrow then, Isabella?” I brought her hand to my lips and kissed it.