I bit my bottom lip. “I needed to take a year off to save up money to pay for it.”
“Jesus, Isla,” he hissed. “I gave you more than enough money.”
“I didn’t ask you for any money. I never needed your billions.” I only needed and wanted him, but like most uber rich people, he believed money would solve every problem.
“Yes, I’m well aware that you can do every goddamn thing on your own.” He tapped his hand on his knee and his breathing picked up. Clearly, he was getting frustrated with me and that was fine. I was more than frustrated with him. “But is it so awful to accept my help?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” He turned toward me and it was amusing to watch this large, refined man struggle to change positions in my little car.
Holding back my laughter, I said, “Because I don’t want you to hold it over my head. I don’t want to owe you a dime.”
“But you can sell the Bimmer and keep the money without a second thought?”
I gaped at him. “Seriously? That was a birthday gift. I should be able to do whatever I want with it.”
“And this is what you did with the money?” He fanned his hands out along the dashboard. “You bought a piece of junk that’s on its last leg.”
“Hey! Don’t insult my car. It gets me where I need to go.”
He snorted. “Barely. We saw how it took you three attempts to get it started.”
“So you admit you’re stalking me. Nice, Ciro.” I turned into the parking lot of a small Irish pub that Alba and I frequented, before Pippa was born. It was small and not too far from either of our homes.
“Not stalking. Just observing.”
“Whatever, Ciro.” I turned the car off, got out of my car and hustled to the entrance. Ciro was hot on my heels like I’d run off or something. “Only one drink.”
“You’re in charge, My-la.”
I ignored him and went inside. Scanning the room, I found a vacant high-top table. Perfect, because I didn’t want to be in a booth with him.
“Have you been here before?” he asked, taking up the stool across from me.
“Yes, many times.” My heart thundered in my chest, being alone with Ciro. It was impossible to ignore him or act indifferent when he exuded confidence and power, wrapped in a handsome, intoxicating package.
Just one drink, then you can go home.
“Who with?” he asked casually as he took in the space around him.
“My friend.” Under the table, my foot bounced on the metal bar. I wished I was immune to his lure, but all I could think about was having sex with him. This man had possessed me body and soul hundreds of times. Being with him was a sublime, transcendent experience.
The scene in his bedroom the night I ended our relationship flashed behind my eyes. He dominated me before the party while I was on my knees with him plowing into me. It was naughty and sexy.
A stirring between my legs forced me to push thoughts of sex away. I couldn’t think of such things with Ciro mere feetaway from me.
“Male or female?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Does it matter?”
“Not at all.”
Right, I didn’t believe him. He was searching for information about me, like if I had a man in my life. Of course, I would try to avoid answering any and all personal questions because it wasn’t any of his business.
“Welcome to Buckley’s. Is this your first time?” a perky redhead asked. I couldn’t help but notice her large knockers. They really stood out under her tight cropped top. She was probably a college student, in her early twenties.
Obviously, I was still insecure about my lack of boobs. Although, I had a lot more due to nursing Pippa. But this young woman outshined me in the bust area.
