Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Maybe that’s why I like Valentino; we’re neither one what you expect. You’re welcome here anytime you know. I’d love to see you at Mass.”
“That’s more what I expected you to say.”
Father Nick grinned. “Ah yes, another young man cynical about the Church—not that I blame you—but if you need someone to talk to, or anything else, stop by. I’m usually here.”
“Thank you, Father.”
He pushed back his chair and stood. “I hope to see you again.”
When he left me alone, I marveled at how he’d known exactly how long to talk to form the start of a friendship, but not long enough to make me feel awkward. I wondered how long he’d known Val.
I looked at Val again. There were only a few people making their way into the church now. He’d be done soon. Was I going to wait for him? It wasn’t like I could avoid him for long, not with a debt hanging over my head and him the one responsible for collecting it.
I watched him until he stepped out of line and removed his apron—I never expected to see him looking so domestic. He hugged Father Nick and the woman who’d been working beside him.
When he reached my table, he held out his hand. “Come with me.”
I let him pull me to my feet. When we reached his car, I wondered why I hadn’t noticed it in the parking lot, it was the only flashy sports car there. He opened the door for me, and I climbed in. Heat rushed to my cheeks when I remembered what had happened the last time I’d been in a car with him. It had nearly shattered me. The way Val had looked at me, touched me, convinced me he truly cared. I’d almost forgotten why I could never truly have him. This time it would be best if all we did was talk.
He got in and started the engine. It was too hot to sit in the car without some air blowing on us. When he put it in gear, I looked at him. “Where are we going?”
“I’m taking you home.”
“I thought we were going to talk. I thought maybe….” He just wanted to make sure I got home safely. That was nice, but not what I wanted. “We could just talk here in the car. It’s a bit nicer than the place I’m having to call home right now.”
Val laid a hand on my thigh. “Not the storage unit. Home. My home.”
I shook my head. “We can’t. It’s too dangerous. Even what we’ve been doing at the club could get you in trouble. It already has.”
“I’m taking you home with me because that’s where you belong.”
I should’ve argued. I should’ve demanded he take me to the storage unit, but I didn’t. I sat right there while he drove, looking at the beautiful colors of the sunset as we made the trip across the city.
After a few minutes, Val reached over and took my hand in his. I loved the feel of his warm skin and the way his hand was so much bigger than mine. He stroked my palm with his thumb, comforting me. I wanted to let my head drop back and close my eyes. Somehow, I knew that if I were with him, being held by him, I’d sleep better than I had since the accident.
Val pulled into the underground garage of an apartment building that was way fancier than any place I ever imagined living. He keyed into the elevator, and we rode up to the top floor. When he opened the door and we stepped inside, I sucked in my breath. The view of the city from the floor-to-ceiling windows in his living room was stunning. The apartment was modern, but not cold or sterile. It was filled with warm colors and a mishmash of antique furniture. It fit Val somehow, even though I wasn’t expecting it any more than I had the apron or the friendship with Father Nick.
I walked toward the window as I heard Val slide the lock in place, then he began to move toward me. I was looking out at the city, but I was aware of every step he took. He reached for my arm and turned me to face him. I shivered as he brushed my hair from my face and tapped my cheek.
“This isn’t about what you owe me. This is about what you want,” he said. “What do you want right now?”
My heartbeat echoed in my ears. The world seemed to have shrunk down to me and Val and the space we took up. Nothing else mattered. Only the two of us were real.
“I want you.” I knew I could be honest then, even if this was just one night, one chance to be with him with nothing else between us.