“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me,” I whisper, my voice wrecked. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Nothing.”
A snowflake lands on her lashes. She blinks it away, still looking at me like I’m something worth choosing. I take her face in my hands and kiss away all the snowflakes on her skin, mumbling between kisses. “I love you—so—so—much,” I sink my mouth into hers, “so much—it hurts.”
For the first time since I can remember, the first day of snow doesn’t feel like the last day with my mom. It feels like the first day of my life with my Kiara.
Kiara
Present
I wake up on the sofa in the main living room, finding myself alone, covered with a blanket. When I look around, a cloudy sky is visible through the glass walls. The strong wind bends the trees, their branches tapping against the glass.
This house is so stunning.
I find Bruce sitting at the table behind the sofa, sipping coffee. There’s a clock on the TV stand—it’s ten a.m., and my chest tightens with something both warm and painful.
They are gone.
Whatever we had yesterday, it had to end. I was waiting for one of them to send me back to my suite, to cut me off, but none of that happened. We stayed together. The corners of my mouth lift unintentionally when I think about everything that happened.
Then I turn back to Bruce.
“Morning, Bruce.” I give him a cocky smile.
He definitely hates me. He just nods and keeps sipping his coffee.
“Where are the guys?” I don’t expect to get a real answer, but at least he can tell me if they’re here at the manor.
“They had to leave early,” he says flatly.
My eyes fall on the coffee table in front of the sofa—glasses, popcorn, a controller and a gaming console scattered there. Then something hits me.
“By the way,” I start, trying to catch his attention. “That curly bastard, what’s his last name?”
Bruce gives me one deeply judgy look.
“Moretti,” he says dryly.
I frown.Moretti?
Of course. That would explain the Italian tattoos. However, I’ve never come across that name during my investigation.
Then Bruce continues, “I was instructed to get you back to your suite, and in two hours you’re expected to be in the gym.”
“What for?” I ask him as I furrow my brows.
“Kasien strongly recommends that you learn the basics of self-defense.”
Oh really? I scoff. That prick thinks I can’t defend myself?
Well. He’s right.
“Theresa will be waiting for you. She’s very good,” he explains.
Oh God, he sent me a tutor? I feel quite embarrassed. But I guess I don’t have a choice.
I get up and head to my suite to take a shower. My body is sore, given what happened yesterday morning, but it feels nice.
I feel nice.
