Antonio kissed me last night.
I hadn’t expected him to, but it thrilled me that he did. It was an impulsive surge of need and want. I could tell he wasn’t used to it, which only made it better. Hotter.
He wasn’t trying to seduce me or impress me.
He just really wanted to kiss me.
It was, without question, the most innocent and hottest kiss I’ve ever had.
I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.
More than I thought possible.
But our date revealed something to me.
Antonio is inexperienced and fragile. Passionate. Impulsive.
He’s extraordinary.
That means I need to keep my cool. Because out of us two, Antonio di Scotti won’t be the one to pace us.
I arrive at Cole’s house an hour early.
Armed with warm cinnamon rolls and his favorite latte, I open the door—only to be met with pure chaos.
A loud crash is followed by a banshee-like shriek.
“I DON’T WANNA!”
A blur of limbs rockets down the hallway toward me. Noah collides into me at full speed.
“DADDY’S BEING MEAN!”
He holds up his T-Rex like it’s a witness to the travesty.
Cole appears in the living room doorway, blond curls in disarray.
“Noah, you can’t leave without breakfast.”
I give the rolls and the coffee to Cole and scoop Noah up. Then I flip him upside-down.
“T-Rex’s daddy is being mean?”
“No! MY daddy!” he shrieks, pointing at Cole for emphasis.
“I offered him oatmeal,” Cole explains.
“I’M NOT HUNGRY!” Noah insists, still upside-down.
I press my ear to his chest.
“Then why is your tummy roaring? Did you swallow Rex?”
Noah giggles. “NO! He’s right here!” He thrusts the dinosaur in my face.
“Then the roar must be hunger.”
Noah gives a world-weary sigh.
