And mine would be right next to hers. This was fucking bad.
I practically dragged her out of the building, not caring if she was stumbling over her own feet. Roman better have the car pulled up because I didn’t want to linger around outside with Courtney.
“You’re the best, Ciro.” She smiled, and for a moment, I saw my old friend. “I’ve missed you.” Her mouth was on mine, catching me off guard.
“No. You can’t do that,” I scolded and pushed her back.
Roman appeared beside me. “That kiss probably has a million views already.”
“Are you fucking serious?” I growled at my brother, who opened the car door.
Roman jerked his head toward a group of women, all with their phones out.
“Jesus Christ,” I seethed as I put Courtney in the backseat, secured her seatbelt, and slammed the passenger door. “I don’t need this shit.”
“No, you don’t. Neither does Isla.”
My heart stopped. Isla had never been a fan of social media. I prayed like hell she still avoided it like she had when we were together.
“Let’s get her home ASAP,” I shouted.
An hour later, Roman and I made Courtney drink water, eat a sandwich, and take a shower.
The shower was a huge challenge.
It wasn’t like I hadn’t seen her naked before, but it was different now. I was different. Courtney begged me to get in with her, but Roman stayed with me. The last thing I needed was a he-said-she-said situation, while my relationship with Isla was on thin ice.
As I helped Courtney into bed my phone rang. I glanced at my device and dread washed over me.
“Isla’s calling,” I told Roman, leaving the room. “Watch her.” I pointed at Courtney.
“Good luck.” Roman smirked.The jerk.
“Hey,” I answered, trying to sound relaxed. I really wasn’t ready to talk to Isla, but I wouldn’t ignore her calls. It could be about Pippa.
“Hey yourself. Didn’t think we’d be playing games, given the fact that we’re parents now, but I wanted to extend a little grace since being a dad is new for you.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm; a sure sign she was furious with me.
I didn’t need this right now. “Are you mad at me?”
“Yes. Yes, I am. Thanks for the heads-up about Rosa. I don’t get you, Ciro. You acted like you wanted me, told me as much, even had sex with me, then I don’t hear from you. So yes, I’m fucking mad at you!”
“Whoa! Calm down. Where’s Pippa?” I asked because she shouldn’t be talking like that in front of Pippa. Dropping anf-bomb like that shocked me. It also scared the hell out of me. She never said fuck, not even when we fought.
“Don’t try to placate me. You definitely don’t need to worry about Pippa. She’s just fine.”
“Look, I needed time to process. My emotions are all over the place.”
She laughed melodically, like the night she had left me. “Famous last words. Let me help you with your emotions. Just worry about your daughter. There isn’t, nor will there ever be, anything between us except Pippa.”
“Fuck, Isla! I need a goddamn second to adjust here. Can’t you understand that?”
“Adjust to what? Having your hand forced into fatherhood? I never asked you for a goddamn thing. Not for me and not for Pippa. Just because she’s here doesn’t mean you and I should be together. Last night was just another stupid mistake.”
“Isla, stop.”
“Stop, what? It’s the truth.”
“No, it isn’t.” My face heated. If she were here, I’d spank her juicy ass for talking this way.
