Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
I don't mind. I don't think he does, either.
There's something heavy on his mind. I can tell by looking at him. He's a million miles away as he plates our food. But he's being oddly…sweet. It's new, yet it feels natural coming from him. As if it's just one more facet to his personality that I've only just discovered.
This man is complex and complicated, more so than anyone I've ever met. There is no box for him. I don't think they make them large enough to contain him and all his pieces. He's a million different things, but none of those are all of him. He's just Gabriel.
"You're quiet," he says, reaching out to grasp my arm when I try to slip past him. He reels me into his arms, not stopping until I'm up against his chest, his eyes locked on my face. "What are you thinking, tesoro? Did I hurt you? Frighten you?"
"What?" I blink at him. "Of course not."
"I don't like when you're quiet. It's worrisome."
"Yeah? Why's that?"
"Because it means I don't know where your head is at." Frustration burns through his eyes. He's completely serious. "I prefer when you're telling me to go to hell. At least then I know what you're thinking."
An amused smile curves my lips. "You're a glutton for punishment, aren't you?"
"I'm a glutton for you."
See? He's sweet. It's unnerving.
"I was thinking about you." My cheeks heat at the admission. And then I roll my eyes when he grins like the cat that ate the canary. "You're a complex man, Gabriel Valentino."
"You like me."
"I think you skipped a few words in that sentence. I'd like to smother you with a pillow."
"I love it when you talk dirty to me, piccola fiamma."
I elbow him in the ribs. Hard.
The deep sound of his laugh rolls over me, halting me in my tracks. It's the first time I've heard it. A genuine laugh from him, I mean. It's almost…boyish.
"That's new."
"What?"
"You're laughing."
"And you're smiling." He brushes hair back from my face. "Today is off to a good start for both of us, yes?" He links his fingers through mine. "Come. Let me feed you."
I glance toward the table. "I'm a little disappointed you ruined my breakfast."
"Mine was superb." His eyes glow with unholy light. "Best fucking thing I've ever tasted."
I groan, rolling my eyes. "Can you be serious for two minutes?"
"I'm being entirely serious. Ten out of ten, will be eating you again, tesoro. Repeatedly in fact."
I kick him in the shin even as heat unfurls inside me. Lord. How is it possible to want him again already?
He laughs at my reaction and then sobers. "I'm sure whatever you made would have been delightful," he says with a straight face. "I noticed that you only used half a bottle of salt."
"Oops," I sing-song. "I must have forgotten to add the other half."
He shakes his head before leading me to the table. My cheeks heat when he sits me right where he sat to eat me an hour ago, the wicked man.
"Out of curiosity, do you actually not know how to cook, or do you just enjoy tormenting me?"
"I'll never tell."
"I thought not." He sets my plate in front of me. A massive tomato and spinach omelet takes up half the plate, with sausage, bacon, and toast piled on the other side. It looks amazing.
I gape at it and then at him. "Are you freaking serious?"
"What? We can't all be hopeless in the kitchen, piccola fiamma."
"I hate you."
He sinks his hand into my hair, craning my head back until my eyes meet his. "Don't make me remind you how much you don't hate me, Genesis," he growls, his voice all deep, dark possession. "I have no problem whatsoever repeating the lesson until you've memorized it."
My clit actually pulses at his threat. For a split second, I consider pushing him just to make him follow through. Just because I live for pushing this man's buttons. But I quickly forsake the idea when I see the warning glittering deep in his eyes. I might not survive his brand of teaching.
I think I may be like the rats in the cage, pushing the pleasure button until they die. With him, it would be so easy.
No, he's nothing like Alexander Santorum. He's a whole new level of dangerous.
And I'm not nearly as afraid as I should be. Not by half…not at all.
Chapter Eight
Gabriel
" Tesoro , this is Domani Brambilla and Angelus Lucerne. They work for my brother," I murmur, introducing Genesis to the two enforcers Mattia sent to help watch her back. Domani is one of his most trusted inner circle. He's been watching over Amalia for months. Angelus is one of our lieutenants. I'm not sure why Mattia chose him, but he keeps his eyes to himself as I introduce them.
Genesis doesn't. She gapes at the two of them like she's never seen anything like them before. "You're both in the mafia?"