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)
Reluctantly, I pull away, and when our eyes meet, I realize I was going to fuck her on her desk.
I put more space between us, and we keep staring at each other as we catch our breath.
“I might be an asshole, but you can’t deny the connection we have,” I say, my voice hoarse from all the emotions. “I felt it in your kiss, and I see it in your eyes.”
Her cheeks are pink, and her lips swollen. She looks like a fucking goddess as she glares at me, and her voice is tense with anger. “I don’t care about the connection.”
I step closer to her again. “You do, or you wouldn’t have returned my kiss.”
“We come from different worlds,” she argues.
“That doesn’t change a fucking thing, Samantha,” I snap.
She darts off the desk, and jabbing her finger at my chest, she hisses, “It changes everything. Your world is dangerous and filled with crime. You’ll get me killed.”
“I won’t.” I grab hold of her hand and yank her against me. “I’ll protect you with my last breath. I’ve proven I can keep you safe.”
Her eyebrows draw together as some of her anger fizzles away. “You’re one of the heads of the Cosa Nostra.”
“Which means no one will touch a hair on your head.” I place my hands on either side of her neck and lean down until there’s only an inch between us. “I’ll burn New York City to the ground for you. Every ounce of power I possess will belong to you. There’s nowhere safer on this planet than by my side.”
Her eyes begin to shine with unshed tears. “You deceived me.”
My voice is soft as I promise, “I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
Chapter 30
Samantha
Pulling away from Mr. Vitale, I switch off my computer.
When I grab my handbag from the bottom drawer, he asks, “Where are you going?”
“Home,” I mutter.
“It’s only ten-thirty.”
I let out a sigh as I look at him. “I’m going home so I can think about everything you said. Unless you want me to stay at work. In which case, you’ll wait longer to find out whether I’m sending you to hell or giving you a chance.”
He moves out of the way. “You can go home.”
“Thank you,” I mumble as I walk past him.
Honestly, I need to process the freaking hot kiss he laid on me. I can’t focus on work while my lips still tingle.
Leaving the building, I head to the subway, and when I reach my apartment, I can still feel Mr. Vitale’s lips on mine.
Then, a realization hits me. I didn’t have a panic attack when Mr. Vitale kissed me.
That’s a win, right?
My phone begins to ring, and I almost ignore it but change my mind because it might be my parents.
Looking at the screen, I see Jenny’s name.
“Hey,” I answer.
“Where are you? I called your desk to see if you wanted to join me for lunch and almost had a heart attack when Mr. Vitale answered.”
I walk to one of the couches and plop down on it. “I’m at home. Mr. Vitale gave me the rest of the day off.”
“Why? Are you sick?” she asks.
“No, I just have something I’m dealing with.”
“Oh? Do you want to talk about it?”
I’m quiet for a moment, then say, “I fell in love with a man, and it turned out he wasn’t who I thought he was.”
“What? Hold up,” she gasps. “You fell in love and didn’t tell me?”
“I was busy at work and then went on vacation. And you’re busy with the wedding planning. We haven’t had time,” I say in my defense.
“Mrs. Jones is in a meeting, so I have time now. Spill it.”
“Ugh. It’s all too confusing to explain.”
“Come on. Try. You can’t leave me hanging like this,” she argues.
“I met the man a month ago. He was perfect, and I fell in love, but last night, I discovered he was not who I thought he was. He wants to work through it, but I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” I let out a sigh. “So now I’m stuck in limbo.”
“What do you mean he’s not the person you thought he was? Did he suddenly grow a vagina? Ooh, is he a spy?”
“No,” I mutter. “I can’t explain it.”
“Okay, but you said he was perfect?” Suddenly, she gasps. “Shit, did he hit you?”
“No!” I sit upright and shake my head. “He would never hurt me.”
Hearing myself say the words, it sinks in.
He might’ve betrayed me, but he’d never physically hurt me.
“Oh, thank God. I was worried there for a second,” Jenny says. “What made him perfect?”
“He was gentle and caring. I could tell him anything, and he made me feel safe,” I tell her.
He made me feel safe.
Even when we were attacked, he was focused on keeping me alive.