Short hair,mom-hair, was so much easier to deal with than long hair. I spritzed it into place with hairspray and got dressed.
My breasts suddenly ached, reminding me I needed to feed Pippa. I could pump and fill a couple of bottles for later. I shook my head. Pumping would just keep us here longer. Instead, I expressed some milk into the sink for a bit of relief. What choice did I have with Ciro in the other room?
“Isla.” Ciro knocked on the door. “I’m sorry if I upset you.”
I rolled my eyes as I squirted my liquid gold into the sink, then switched to the other side. Such waste hurt my heart.
Ciro wasn’t sorry. He knew exactly how to make me flustered. After a few more squirts, I clasped my bra cup and pulled my black V-neck shirt down.
“Can I come in?” He knocked again.
“I’m finished.” I swung the door open and stepped out, eager to get away from him. I didn’t get far when he grabbed my elbow. I gasped in surprise, being reeled against his body.
We stared into each other’s eyes for a long beat.
“Breathe,” he whispered.
I sucked in a deep breath, my eyes wide. He knew me too damn well.
“Good morning.” Those smoldering-brown eyes twinkled. What the hell?
“Whatever.” I pulled my arm away from him and rushed into the kitchen, then braced myself against the counter as I trembled from his touch.
Ciro always could get me flustered. Since the first day he talked to me, he had thrown me off balance, but in a good way. He kept me on my toes, and I’d like to believe I’d done the same to him. I never fell at his feet to worship him like other women. He had to pursue me, not the other way around
No other man had paid so much attention to me like Ciro. Honestly, his acute awareness of me when we were together or in the same space was what made leaving him so difficult.
Ciro knew me inside and out. He could read my expressions and body language as if he’d studied a how-to manual on me, Isla Martin.
He was my person, but sadly, I hadn’t been his.
Girl, stop it! Put on your armor and be ready for battle. He’ll be ruthless. Won’t make things easy. He’ll do anything to get his child.
My stomach churned as I filled the carafe with water to make a pot of strong coffee. Caffeine would help wake me up, but it might make me nauseous. I pushed the start button anyway and grabbed my favorite mug off the shelf on the wall. I couldn’t worry about a queasy stomach. I needed to be alert.
“Hey, do you have an extra toothbrush?” he called from the bathroom.
“Didn’t you bring one?” I grumbled, walking into the hallway. I smacked into Ciro’s firm chest. “Ah!”
He smirked, clearly amused by my clumsiness. “Yes, I brought my own, but it’s at my hotel.”
“Then go get it.” I held my stance firmly.
“And risk you not letting me back in?” He arched his dark eyebrow, staring down at me. “I’ll just use that pretty pink one on the counter.”
“No, that’s mine.”
“Not like we haven’t exchanged cooties thousands of times before.” He raked his eyes up and down my body.
I saw it. The look he always got when he wanted to ravage me. The one that guaranteed I was about to go soaring on an extended orgasmic trip.
Warmth gathered between my thighs.
My heart rate kicked up a thousand notches.
But no. No. No. No.
“Don’t be a jerk. I have a spare for when my boyfriend forgets his.” I tittered, pleased with my reply, and went into the bathroom.
