“Look at me. I’m exhausted.” I wiped away the tears on my face. “I worked a double shift today. It’s not easy being a single mom. I’m doing the best I can.” A sob ripped from my chest.
“Shh, don’t cry,” he whispered.
“I’m doing the best I can to give my baby everything she needs and deserves. Please… Just leave. We can figure this out tomorrow.” It was very late and I wasn’t mentally clear. Now that he knew about Pippa, there was a lot for us to figure out… tomorrow.
“I already said I’m not going anywhere.” Ciro closed the door and bolted it.
Before I could protest, he swept me off my feet and carried me toward my bedroom.
“What are you doing?” I wiggled in his arms to be set free, but it was useless, because he was bigger and stronger than me.
“I’m taking you to your room.”
“Are you insane? I’m not having sex with you.”
“Sex is the first thing that popped into your head.” He chuckled and the sound of his amusement melted me. Not to mention how wonderful it felt being in his arms and smelling his cologne. “I like that, but no.”
“Good, because I’d never willingly have sex with you.” I was ashamed of myself for being disappointed. But if he had found his person and loved her, I would never try to get him to cheat on her.
“Yes, you would, My-la.” He laid me in bed, pulled the covers up to my neck the way I liked, and stared at me with sad eyes.
“God you’re incorrigible.” I tucked the blanks under my chin and held on to them tightly so he couldn’t see my body. It was silly, considering he’d thoroughly discovered my body hundreds of times.
“You have it all wrong about the redhead and what you saw online.”
“Whatever,” I murmured. “Just get out of my apartment.”
“I’m not leaving. I’ll sleep on the couch so we can talk in the morning.” He stared down at me. I knew the look. There was no changing his mind. “I’m fucking pissed at you for not telling me aboutPippa.”
I had no words as his piercing dark eyes appeared angry and sad simultaneously.
“I like her nickname.” He smiled softly and ran the pad of his thumb down my jawline. “Christ, I’m so hurt you didn’t tell me about her. But we’ll discuss it more tomorrow. I want to see her first thing in the morning.”
“I have to be at work at one.”
“Call in. Or better yet just quit. You don’t need a job that takes you away from our daughter all damned day.” He scanned the room. “And it doesn’t pay you enough to live in a decent place.”
Our daughter.My mind was reeling hearing him call herour daughter.
“Not everyone is a billionaire. I’m providing for her. She’s never gone without anything! She’s happy. Healthy. I did that. I?—”
“Shh.” He put two fingers on my lips to silence me. “Let’s not do this now. You get some sleep.” He went to the door, turned out the lights, and closed it.
If I wasn’t so exhausted, I would have argued. But I was emotionally drained, too. Sleep would take me quickly.
But before it did, I prayed Ciro wouldn’t take my baby from me. Nothing would destroy me more than losing my lovebug.
18
CIRO
Exhaling,I dropped onto the sofa, placing my elbows on my thighs and grabbing my head. It literally took every ounce of strength I had not to roar into the small room. Furious didn’t even scrape the top of how I was feeling.
I was angry at Isla, no question, but I was angrier at myself.
The entire flight to San Francisco I’d cursed my ex for betraying me. I was planning to barge into her dinky apartment and go ballistic on her. Yes, I hadn’t been thinking clearly and Paolo had said as much, but of course, I had ignored him.
But then she’d mentioned seeing me with Courtney, my former fuck buddy. Guilt and shame hit me hard and defused my rage.
