“Boyfriend?” His tone was severe, and fury rolled off him in massive waves as he glared at me.
Retrieving a new toothbrush from the drawer, I slammed it into his chest. “Here. Blue and masculine.”
“Answer my question,” he hissed.
I ignored him and went back into the kitchen, my heart racing frantically. I wouldn’t give him the pleasure of an answer. My private life wasn’t his business. Not that I had much of a life or a boyfriend. But Ciro didn’t need to know that.
The coffee finished brewing, so I poured myself a cup and scanned my small living room. Where was the safest place to sit? I needed to keep Ciro away from me.
My apartment was tiny. There was only a small kitchen table for two and one sofa. I could stand or sit on the floor…
Why in the hell wasn’t Ciro still pissed off at me for keeping Pippa a secret? He wasn’t behaving at all the way I imagined he would after learning he had a daughter.
I turned around when I felt Ciro’s presence.
“Mind if I pour me a cup?” He appeared composed. The flirty glint in his eyes minutes ago was gone, and I hated that I missed it.
God, he was a strikingly handsome man. I throbbed down low, desperate to feel him inside me. To feel his lips on mine and hands caressing my skin. I’d always enjoyed when he overpowered me, holding my wrists above my head when he plowed into me. I might come just recalling how passionate and powerful sex had been with him.
“Isla? Coffee?” His voice jerked me out of my thoughts.
Get your head out of the gutter!
“Sure. Help yourself.” I decided to stay standing. This way, I could move away from him faster.
“Where do you want me? On the sofa or at the table?”
“Wherever you’re most comfortable.” I sipped my coffee, peering over the rim as he considered his options.
My home was miles below his standards. When we were together, he wouldn’t even stay at my mother’s house when she was out of town. Then again, he rarely let me spend the night with him—pompous jerk.
I swallowed thickly, remembering how much he had hurt me. I loved Ciro deeply. Loved every part of him, even the spoiled, self-centered parts.
Stupid Isla.Not only had you fallen for a man who would never love you, but you also had his baby.
“You’re lost in the past. Don’t go there,” he told me in a firm tone.
I swooped my eyes at him on the sofa. He held me captive like a million times before, still turning me to putty with his mesmerizing gaze.
“That’s easier said than done.” I squared my shoulders and raised my chin. “Tell me what your expectations are about Pippa.”
“Just like that?” He leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees, coffee mug in his hands.
“What?” I asked in an annoyed tone, even though I was more nervous than annoyed.
“I thought we’d talk about us first.” He set the mug on the end table as if preparing for… A battle?
“There is no us.”
“There is, and we’re going to talk aboutus.” He emphasizedusthrough gritted teeth.
I took two steps back, shaking my head.
“I’ve missed you. We’ll talk about the baby after we discuss what will happen between us.”
“Her name is Pippa.”
He sighed. “Yes, Pippa.”
