Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“Room in there for one more?”
“Always.”
He came in, shrugging off his shirt. He undid his belt, allowing his pants to drop to the floor, leaving him in only his boxers. I watched as he tugged them down his thighs and stepped away from the pile of clothes. He stopped to pull his watch from his wrist and caught me studying him in the mirror.
“I like it when you watch me.”
I slid forward, making room for him. I smiled as he walked toward the tub.
“I like watching you. You’re very sexy.”
He slid in, wrapping his arms around me, bringing me tight to his chest. He dropped his face to my neck.
“So brazen you are these days.”
I giggled as he teased my skin with his tongue.
With a sigh, he leaned back, taking me with him.
“I have longed to be close to you all day, Evie.”
I traced his hands, toying with his ring. “Are you all right, Matteo?”
“I will be.”
I knew what he was telling me without words. Tomorrow was the day they were moving against their latest target. I knew what he had told me and how deeply this was affecting him, and he was very worried about it. He didn’t like to talk about what he did, and I had been surprised he shared that much.
“I hate to see you go.”
“I dread it,” he stated honestly, then tightened his arms around me. “Evie, you must promise to stay here while I’m gone. There will be security and you will be safe, but I must have your word you will not leave.”
I heard the tension in his voice. Felt his anxiety. “I know, Matteo. I made sure I had everything we would need. I won’t leave, I promise.”
He pressed a kiss to my head. “Thank you.”
“I need your promise as well.”
“Oh? What promise might that be?”
I turned and met his dark gaze.
“That you will come home safe to me, Matteo. I need you. I love you.”
His eyes softened, and he cupped my cheek. “I will, Evie. We are ready, and once we shut down these lowlifes, I will come home to you. I will be back as fast as I can.”
“I know.”
“I have never had someone to return to until now. Until you.”
“I will always be here.”
He kissed me, his mouth hard and possessive. After a few moments, he rose, lifting me with him. He stepped out of the tub, water cascading off our skin, hitting the floor like raindrops. He laid me on our bed, hovering over me.
“I love you,” he murmured.
I reached for him, pulling him down to me, needing to feel his weight on me. Needing to feel him.
“I love you, Matteo.”
The house seemed bigger with Matteo gone.
He left in the middle of the night, his kiss hard and pressing on my mouth.
“Be safe,” he ordered against my lips. “Do not leave this house. Promise me.”
“I promise.”
“I will be home as soon as I can.”
“I’ll be here.”
He wrapped me in his arms, holding me close. “That is what I need to get through this.”
Then he was gone.
I’d tried to fall asleep after he left, but the bed felt wrong without him, the house too silent. I got up and switched on a light. On my bedside table was a small box, and inside, a bracelet, beautiful and shimmering under the light. Our initials entwined, M & E, inlaid with tiny diamonds. A card inside the box simply read:
I want to see this on your wrist when I return.
We are linked, no matter the distance.
Yours always,
M
There were tears in my eyes as I examined the delicate piece. I slipped it on, fumbling with the clasp, but I finally got it locked. I crossed the room to place the box on the dresser, stopping as I saw Matteo’s cell phone, wallet, and wedding ring on the wooden surface. I picked up the wide platinum band, sliding it on my finger. Matteo had long, elegant hands and fingers, but it was still loose on me.
I had bought it on one of my shopping trips and given it to him. I recalled the look on his face when he opened it, running his finger over the smooth band.
“You’d like me to wear a ring, Piccolina?” he asked.
“I notice you look at mine often. I thought perhaps you’d like one as well.”
He slid it on his finger, making a fist and looking at it. “I like it.” He looked up, smiling. “Marking me as taken, my wife?”
“Yes.”
His smile had been wide with delight. “I will wear it with pride.”
He had explained he took nothing personal with him, nothing that could tie him back to his world. He had assured me, in dire circumstances, should anything happen to him, I would be informed and taken care of. I understood his reasons and the need for the action.