A smile spreads over my face, an exhilarating feeling pumping through my blood.
Augusto comes back into the kitchen, drops a bag on the island, and stalks toward me with a determined expression.
My core clenches hard, the sharp sensation unexpected, but I have no time to inspect it.
Framing my jaw with his hands, he tilts my head back, and his mouth takes mine, picking up right where he left off before we were interrupted.
“Jesus,” he groans between kisses. “You’re dangerous.” His teeth tug at my bottom lip, another groan rumbling from his chest. “And fucking addictive.”
Augusto nips, licks, and bites until my mouth is hot from all the friction and tingles. Once he’s had his fill, he lifts his head and looks at me with a similar expression I saw on Riccardo’s face in the club.
“I think it’s safe to say the attraction is mutual.”
I nod and realize I grabbed hold of his sides during the make-out session. Remembering he got hurt, I quickly pull back and ask, “Did I touch your wound?”
“No. It’s higher.”
“Where?”
Augusto gestures at the side of his chest, and realizing how close the bullet came to hitting his heart, a ripple of shock moves through my body.
“That’s really close,” I whisper. “You could’ve died.”
“But I didn’t.” He tilts his head, the corner of his mouth lifting. “Are you worried about me?”
“Yes.” My eyebrows draw together. “You’re my husband.”
As I stare at his chest, it sinks in that in a single month, I’ve experienced an entirely different life. I love the time I spend with Samantha. I love this house and how it’s starting to feel familiar and warm. I love seeing Augusto enjoy the meals I prepare for him. I love the evenings we spend together, asking questions and getting to know each other.
And I love how he kisses me.
“I don’t want to lose all of this,” I admit as I look into his eyes.
“You won’t. If I die, you’ll still live here, and you’ll get enough money to last you the rest of your life.”
“But you won’t be here.” Fear creeps into my heart. “I don’t want to be alone again. I’ve gotten used to hearing you move around the house. I know what your footsteps sound like, what time to expect you home, how the air shifts when you enter a room.” My breaths rush over my lips. “I finally have someone I can fall in love with.”
“Shh…” He pulls me against his chest and presses a kiss to the top of my head. “I’m not going to die.”
“I don’t care about money.” Completely overwhelmed, I continue to spiral as a sob bursts from me. “I don’t want my life to change, and if you die, it will change everything. I want us.” I wrap my arms around his waist and cling to him. “I want a future with you so I can feel what it’s like to be loved.”
He presses another kiss to my hair. “You’ll get everything you want.”
“From you,” I whimper, pressing even closer to him.
“From me.” He places his hands on either side of my head and forces me to look up at him. When I see the promise in his eyes, it calms the storm in me. “I’m not going anywhere. Okay?”
“Okay.”
His eyes soften on me, and the seedling of hope I’ve been nurturing blossoms, filling every inch of my heart, and I begin to believe that with a little effort, we can have a happy, normal marriage.
Chapter 20
Augusto
I’ve come to the realization that I’m fucked.
Kissing Yuki changed everything between us. I instantly went from a passive roommate who wanted what’s best for her, to a possessive husband who wants everything from her.
