Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 84219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
It didn’t even cross my mind the two men might be one and the same person, because they were worlds apart.
Sure, at times, it felt like there was something familiar about him, but it never stuck.
“This was not a game to me,” Mr. Vitale says with a pleading look. “When I had to step in because your partner fucked up, I took over because you’re my assistant. I couldn’t let some idiot upset you. I wanted to help you, Samantha.”
I cross my arms over my chest and lower my eyes to the floor.
His voice sounds a little hoarse as he continues, “That first night we spent together made me see how strong you are. I was amazed and wanted more time with you.”
At my expense.
“You started making progress, and I didn’t want to ruin that.” He pauses for a moment, and I hear him take a deep breath. “I fell so fucking hard and fast for you. I couldn’t risk losing you, so I continued being an asshole at work so you wouldn’t catch on.”
Silence falls between us, and I know he’s waiting for me to say something, but I can’t bring myself to speak.
“Close your eyes,” he whispers.
I shake my head hard.
“Please,” he begs, sounding like my mystery man.
My eyebrows draw together, and I struggle not to cry as I shut my eyes.
I hear him move closer, and my body tenses.
He’s a couple of inches away from me when he whispers, “You’re safe with me.”
My throat constricts, and I shake my head.
When his fingers brush over the curve of my jaw, I flinch.
“I’m so fucking sorry.” His tone is gentle and caring, and it screws with my mind.
I’m torn between my love for my mystery man and my hatred for my boss.
The two emotions war in my chest, shredding my heart to pieces.
His palm cups my cheek, and I gasp at the storm it causes inside me.
“I love you.”
I hear the truth in his words, but I can’t equate them with something Mr. Vitale would say.
My heart keeps breaking, and unable to stop a sob from escaping, it bursts over my lips as I cry, “Why couldn’t you be Quasimodo? Why did you have to be the man who’s given me so much hell at work? Why do you have to be a mafia boss?” My breaths quiver over my lips, and my chest shudders. “I want my mystery man back.”
His arms wrap around me, and he gently pulls me into a hug. “I’m still your mystery man.”
I shake my head against his chest.
His touch is soft as he takes hold of my chin. He nudges my face up, and when I feel his breath fan over my lips, he says, “I’m still here, baby.”
His mouth brushes against mine, and a sob sputters from me.
With my eyes closed, he’s the man I’ve fallen in love with.
“I don’t want to lose you,” I whimper against his lips.
“You won’t.” The words sound like a promise.
He kisses me tenderly, and I feel the strong connection between us.
Lifting his head an inch, he whispers, “Look at me, baby.”
“No,” I sob. “You’ll disappear.”
“I’m right here. You can feel me.”
Another sob ripples over my lips as I slowly open my eyes.
The moment my gaze focuses on Mr. Vitale, everything feels wrong.
The corner of his mouth lifts slightly, then he says, “I’m the mystery man you fell for.”
My eyes search his dark brown irises, and I don’t see the annoyance I’ve gotten used to in the office. Instead, his gaze is filled with affection.
I lower my eyes to his shirt as I try to process my boss and my mystery man being the same person.
My boss – my arrogant, rude, head-of-a-crime-family, dangerous asshole boss – is my mystery man.
Pulling away from him, I cross my arms over my chest again, then admit, “I don’t know how to process this, Mr. Vitale.”
“Franco,” he murmurs. “My name is Franco, Samantha.”
This is insane.
I fear him, yet I can’t stop this insane attraction I have for him. I can’t just magically flip a switch and erase my feelings for him.
The hate and love keep warring in my chest, and right now, I have no idea which emotion will prevail.
Lifting a hand, I wipe my palm over my forehead before saying, “I need time to wrap my mind around everything.”
“I understand.”
My anger surfaces again, and my eyes snap to his stupidly handsome face as I exclaim, “Do you? Really?”
“I know this is a shock for you, but we can work through it.”
I let out an incredulous burst of laughter while shaking my head. “Yeah, I’m not so sure about that.”
His features tighten, and I watch him change from my mystery man to my boss. His tone is determined as he says, “I won’t lose you.”
Throwing my arms open, I yell, “You never had me!”