“Numbers doubled in sales and the military just placed another order for shipment. They also requested for you to come down and show them our new toys. I had to make a stop at my sister’s to check on her and her new baby in Massachusetts. Thought it would be better to fly commercial,” she responds before taking a seat in the chair in front of me.
“And the FBI?” I look away, directing my eyes back to the computer screen.
Silence fills the air as she doesn’t respond right away. I try to let it drag out but my anxiety gets the best of me and I turn to face her. Her arms are folded across her chest and she’s giving me a knowing look. She knows how damn hard this is for me. It kills me every damn day. Even though she and I have become close, it’s so different. I thought moving her and my best friend to Italy with me would fill the void, but it doesn’t.
“I didn’t see him. I made sure to stay out of sight but even if I did see him, it’s not like I would go up to him and say hello.Maybe this was a bad idea. He loves you, you could have made this work,” she lectures me for the hundredth time.
She’s big on those love romance books. She believes that everyone has a chance to be happy ever after. Reality doesn’t work that way, at least mine doesn’t. I don’t even respond. Instead, I turn off the monitor and grab my bag. Without another word, we head out of the office and part ways. A large glass of wine and a bubble bath are calling my name.
It’s Saturday morning and the streets are filled with laughter and tourists from around the world. There’s a couple standing by the wishing fountain, standing close together as they make a wish with their coin in hand. They toss it in the fountain and hold each other waiting as if their wish is going to appear right then and there. Young love, probably wishing for many years of adventure and experiences together.
Another couple sits on the bench hand-in-hand. They have to be in their eighties and no doubt have been together for more than half their lives. The older man looks down at his wife so sweetly, brushing his fingers down her cheek. She’s beaming with so much love and passion. God, how I wish I could have that.
“Earth to Celeste!” Blakely snaps her fingers in front of my face.
I shake my head, focusing back on my best friend, who’s sitting across from me. I promised her today would be our day. We decided to visit a cute little breakfast place that neither of us have been to and then go shopping. I’ve been so busy with work, I owed her some girl time. Ella joined us today and she’s especially excited to get a new dress and a new doll from Italy.She thinks princesses live here and she needs to have a princess dress.
“Sorry! This place sucks you into a spell and you can’t help but stare at its beauty. I’ll take the omelet with a side of fruit,” I answer the waiter who was patiently standing there as I fell into a trance.
We should have picked a table inside; it would be less distracting than sitting on this beautiful patio. I shouldn’t be complaining, the weather is exceptional and we have a beautiful view.
“So, I was thinking we can go to this boutique called Brunello for some cute little summer dresses and then check out JJ’s?” Blakely suggests as she scrolls through her phone looking for different places to shop.
And this is why we're friends. She’s expensive as hell but no doubt has the best taste in clothing. To be honest, I wouldn’t be dressed the way I am today if it wasn’t for her. Who needs a stylist when you have a best friend who does it for you?
“Don’t forget my pwetty dress, Auntie! We're gonna be lookin’ like princesses.” Ella flips her hair to the side.
I can’t help but let a laugh slip at how damn cute she is and sassy as hell like her mother.
Something shifts though. I have this feeling like I’m being watched and I don’t like it. The hair on the back of my neck stands up and I’m half tempted to jump from my seat. I can’t though; it’s too public and I don’t want to freak the girls out. But I can’t shake this feeling. I see it, the shock on Blakely’s face. The breath she sucks in as her eyes look past my shoulders. I go to ask her what’s wrong but she’s already pushing her chair out and stands, grabbing Ella’s hand.
“I have to use the restroom. Ella, why don’t you come withmommy. It’s been a while since you’ve gone.” She hurries past me, not giving me a chance to respond.
The fuck was that about? Nothing makes her speechless, not even if she’s about to piss herself. I’m about to get up to check if she’s okay but that feeling gets stronger and a shadow hoovers above me.
“I can see why you love this place. It’s so mesmerizing," a deep, husky, familiar voice calls out from the shadow.
My body goes completely still despite the racing, thumping of my heart. This is only your imagination. He’s not here. He can’t be here. I can’t breathe, I can’t speak. I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping that I’m just delusional and this isn’t really happening.
The sound of the metal chair scrapes against the ground as the shadow takes its place across from me. Taking a deep breath, I slowly open my eyes and they collide with striking blue ones. They’re staring directly at me, waiting for realization to settle in.
“How did you find me, Alaric?” My voice is no more than a whisper.
The edge of his lips tip up with a mischievous grin. I can’t help but drag my gaze down his body, taking in every inch of him. He looks more than good. His bulging muscles and hard chest are outlined with his tight black shirt he has on. My mouth practically waters at how striking he looks.
“I don’t think you understood when I told you that you’re mine. No matter what the consequences will be. We ride through the darkness until we find the light. How naive of you to think that you could get away from me.” His eyes darken.
Every muscle in my body tells me to believe this man. Believe that he loves me and can’t let me go. At the end of the day, it’s for the best and he has to understand that. I have to push him away, send him back to the States where he canmove on and find someone who’s good for him. I’ll hate myself later but it has to be done.
“I don’t want you, Alaric. I left because I realized that we’re of two different worlds that will never be compatible. We had fun, but it’s over now. Go home.” I force myself to look away from him. Even as my heart breaks into a million pieces.
He leans over taking my chin, forcing it to look at him. I try to resist but his hold is too dominating. I can feel the tears start to form and I try everything to keep them at bay.
“We both know you’re full of shit. Look at you, you’re trembling under my touch. That’s not from being scared of me, you don’t get scared. Your body is longing for who it belongs to. I don’t need protection. I already made my decision and I left the force because you’re the only fucking thing I want in this world. I’ll be damned if you make that decision for me.” His hold doesn’t relent as his words cut deep.
He gave up everything to come to me. His career, his life, all to be with a criminal. How can I push him away now? He has nothing to go back to. He chose me knowing what I bring to the table. Knowing that I’m not a soft woman and will kill someone without batting an eye. No one has ever chosen me, not that I gave them the chance. If I’m being honest with myself, I don’t want him to go. I want him to stand by my side as we burn the world to ash.
I’m rendered speechless at his declaration. Before I can think of anything to spit out, his hands cup my face as his lips crash on mine. The world blurs around us as two souls bind themselves as one. His kiss is deep, longing and so full of passion. I kiss him back with every emotion inside me, letting him know how I feel. Words cannot describe how fucking content my soul finally feels. A throat clears causing us to break apart.
