Tristano has shown me the different facets of his personality, beginning with the cold-hearted man who judged my sister’s actions and didn’t hesitate to put the rightful blame at her feet, despite her remorse. Then that same man enveloped her in a hug and comforted her.
Now I’m getting a glimpse of another side of him, one I suspect is rarely seen by anyone. I don’t think this thoughtfulness is uncharacteristic of him, it’s more that I’ve not had a chance to witness it. And now that I am?
I’m in danger of revealing a facet of myself, a private one I’ve never shown anyone. Not even Carina.
And it’s the part of me that dreams of being in love.
“Thank you,” I whisper, battling the emotions rising in my throat. “I respect and admire you as well. And Beni too. I think his good intentions are hidden under all the outrageous things he says.”
A small laugh escapes me and his eyes widen with surprise. Right before they darken. His gaze is now similar to an eclipse, blocking out the tenderness that was shining on me seconds ago. The swift change silences my amusement and I hurry to make amends.
“I didn’t mean to be insulting.” I clutch his wrist and squeeze it to emphasize my sincerity, as well as my regret. “For me to have a positive opinion of a man is absurd and the irony of that is what amused me. You are the only one I’ve ever considered to be honorable, despite your high-handed methods, and Beni is…well, Beni.”
Tristano’s gaze resembles shards of ice and I inwardly cringe. How I managed to ruin one of the best moments in my life is beyond me, but I’ll do whatever I can to melt the frost in his eyes.
Because when he looks at me like that I die a little inside.
Almost desperate to bring back the ambience from before, when Tristano was in a pleasant mood, I release his wrist and take a step toward him. The space between us is barely there and I reduce it even more as I take his face in both my hands.
Touching him is too irresistible for me to abstain from.
I brush my thumbs up and down along the smooth expanse of his jaw and he relaxes in my hold, the muscles along his mouth less tight and his expression less severe. I take a deep, preparatory breath to offer my apology and my breasts press into his chest, my nipples instantly hardening. The sexual tension between us grows with each passing day, hour, and possibly every minute, so my body’s response doesn’t shock me.
What does surprise me is the feeling of longing that bursts from my soul; not just to be with him but to connect.
Physically. Mentally. Emotionally.
I want itall.
If there was ever a birthday present to wish for, that would be it.
“You’d think I’d be able to say the right thing after being silent for years,” I say with a small shake of my head. “It’s disappointing, but please don’t let my errant and inarticulate words ruin tonight. What you’ve done for me is nothing short of…” I purse my lips in thought, nearly speechless and grasping for the right thing to say that’ll really show what all this means to me. “I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am, Tristano.”
The muscles flush against me lose some of their rigidity and I mentally sigh in relief.
“I understand, and you don’t have to apologize,” he says. “It was a simple misunderstanding and nothing more.”
I smile up at him and let my hands fall away. He holds out his arm and I’m quick to wrap mine around it.
Maybe I have a chance of salvaging this birthday.
And it’s likely to be the most memorable, with a man who’s definitely unforgettable.
Tristano
For the millionth time since I met Violetta, I want to shoot Benito.
She said he and I were the only men she trusted and held in high esteem, but that’s not good enough for me. I want to be theonlyman she looks at with respect and admiration. I want to be theonlyone she runs to when she’s frightened, enabling me to comfort her emotionally with words and physically with my hands and body. The very idea of Violetta seeking out someone else for such things drives me to insanity.
But the idea of her searching for someone else to fulfill her desires? To touch her? To fuck her?
I nearly lost my fucking mind.
Knowing jealousy was the root cause of my thoughts only served to anger me all the more. But she doesn’t deserve that from me, and not today of all days.
Violetta brought me out of the tempest whirling in my head and back to reality by placing her hands on my face. The softness of her skin on mine, the feel of her breasts against me, and the scent of her—a natural fragrance that’s unique only to her—all around me… They were enough to pull me out of the rage I was drowning in.
Only to throw me into another pool that’s much deeper and where the waves are more tumultuous: a sea of arousal, lust, and desire. Wanting Violetta and not being able to have her just might kill me.
