Rio stalled for a bit, trying to separate what he wanted to say versus what he felt. That’s all he did these days—hold his feelings close to his heart and portray himself as a direct contradiction of what the truth was.
“It’s cool. Different but cool.”
In actuality, this was strange for Rio. Not having his wife at home waiting for him was torture. A part of Rio wished he could’ve called Cali and demanded her whereabouts like he used to. He felt insane for that. She was a cheater. She had put him in harm’s way, and she couldn’t be trusted. Still, Rio’s heart wouldn’t release Cali even if he presented a pardon. She was there, dwelling deep in the nook of his mind, tormenting him.
“It’s cool,” she mocked. “That’s it? What about it being freeing? Or you didn’t expect it to be like this? Give me something, DuRio.”
Ever since she’d learned of his real name, Rozalin insisted on calling him that. He kind of liked it.
Sitting back in the booth, he gazed at her. “Why you always wanna be in my head?”
Grinning, she propped her chin on her open palm. “Because you're a mystery to me. I wanna know what you're thinking about.”
“You wanna know what I’m thinking in general or how I’m feeling about you?”
She motioned uncertainty with her shoulders. “I guess the latter, yeah.”
“Yo’ frontin’ ass.”
They both laughed.
“I like you, though.” His gaze started at her face then fell to her heavy breasts that spilled from her corset. “You wore that for me?”
“Maybe,” she flirted.
Rozalin was good at flirting. Batting her long lashes and swiping her hand down the back of her pixie, she played the innocent card well.
“When Cali said you were a good guy, it’s not that I didn’t believe her. I just didn’t think there were any good guys left. But she knew what she was talking about.”
What the fuck you bringing her up for?
Rio quickly gulped his shot in an effort to calm his nerves. Cali’s name still provoked rage to come to the forefront of his mind. He may have missed her but on top of that were layers of hatred that was reserved for her.
“I ain't no good guy,” he confessed. “My ex ruined all that shit.”
Rozalin angled her head. “I beg to differ. I think you're amazing.”
Rio chuckled before locking eye contact with the bartender and pointing at his empty glass. There were stars in Rozalin’s eyes when she peered at him. The admiration was flattering but she had to know that there were certain qualities he would be unable to give her right now. Cali had stolen the very essence of him, and he didn’t think he would ever get it back.
“I gotta be honest with you, Rozalin. If you're looking for this stand-up guy that’s going to honor you and give you the very best of him, I’m not that guy, baby. Shit, I’m not even supposed to be doing this kind of shit after what I went through.”
Rio had so much he hadn’t dealt with. He’d pushed the demise of his marriage under the bed like a kid who didn’t want to clean their room. It hadn’t settled in his mind that he survived a near-fatal crash. He still had remnants of headaches and breathing problems from his accident. All of that transpiringwithin a six-month span took a mental toll on Rio. Coming to terms with his alternate life hadn’t been a priority and he didn’t think it would be any time soon.
Rozalin reached for his hand just as the bartender sat his drink on the table.
“I understand. You’ve been through a lot. I’m not looking for anything serious at this moment. In the future…” She seesawed her head. “Yes, I would like a commitment but I’m not saying I want that right now. I just want us to enjoy each other.”
“You sure?”
She nodded, flashing her perfect teeth. “Yes, I’m sure, DuRio. I’m a big girl. You don't have to spoon feed me anything. We’re both consenting adults who have no reason to lie to each other. If you keep it real with me, I’ll do the same. Deal?” She held her glass up.
There was something about her that had Rio’s attention. She may not get all that he could offer but he wanted to stick around.
Rio tapped her glass with his. “Cool.”
She eyed him before taking a sip of her wine. “So, I wanted to extend an invitation to stay the night with me.”
His brows hiked as a broad grin spread across his lips. “Spend the night, huh?”
