23
ISLA
Why wasCiro messing with my head and emotions? Just being his controlling and possessive self… And sexy as hell.
Stop it. Ciro can’t give you what you want, nothing lasting anyway.
But a night of phenomenal sex would be amazing…For closure, of course.
What was I thinking? Sex would be bad.Verybad idea, Isla.
The erratic thoughts in my head were why I had taken a ride service to work, even though Ciro had insisted on Paolo driving me. He’d been relentless, while playing with Pippa. But I had held strong, which hadn’t been easy.
Ciro was not only powerful and ruthless, but he could also be quite charming and persuasive. Hence his demand that he paid for my ride. At that point, I didn’t care so long as I got time to myself, just me and my thoughts.
However, I knew time alone wasn’t what Ciro wanted. I might get ideas that would work against him. I’d learned veryearly in our relationship that he wouldn’t leave me after we’d had a fight—usually over another woman. He’d force me to talk it out to solve our problems, then we’d have mind-blowing make-up sex.
Naturally, things always went his way.
No matter what Ciro said about caring for me, I’d never been first in his life.
This past year changed me in many ways. Yes, it sucked struggling and not always having food to eat or money to pay for any extras. But I’d made the best out of a difficult situation and had grown into an independent woman without Ciro Remotti as my cushion.
I survived.
I thrived.
I proved I didn’t need Ciro or his billions.
Not that having his money wouldn’t be amazing and make my life easier, it absolutely would. But at what cost? I had no desire to go back to the way things used to be, where I didn’t know when I was welcome at his estate and brought an overnight bag with me just in case he decided I could spend the night. Or where I had to smile and bear it when women threw themselves at him. No thank you.
Except, what gave me pause was seeing him with Pippa. He’d been so gentle and in complete awe of her. The two of them together had fractured something in me. It made me think of my dad and how much I’d missed having him in my life.
I still loved Ciro and we had a daughter together. But how could I trust him not to break mine and Pippa’s hearts?
Before I left Alba’s, I could tell Ciro sensed my internal struggles. It was in his intense gaze when I kissed Pippa’s sweet head. He’d wrapped his fingers around my wrist, holding methere without saying a word. His eyes had said all that needed to be said: he wasn’t giving up.
The redhead came to mind as I entered the kitchen at West End. He’d said I had it all wrong, that she was just a friend. God, I hoped I was wrong. But why was she texting and calling him?
Stop it, Isla. Focus.
I tossed my denim jacket and purse into my locker and took out my black apron. The bistro’s kitchen was alive with activity. No one had noticed when I entered with the clinking and sizzling sounds mixed with shouts and mumbles.
“Your young Jedi is here” was whispered at the shell of my ear.Jon.
I stiffened, looking over my shoulder. “I didn’t know you were working today.”
“I am.” He smiled, putting his pearly whites on full display. “I’m looking forward to your teachings. Tell me what you need.” He leaned in closer, too close. “I’m all yours.”
Holy moly! His words were laced with innuendo. Or maybe my imagination was screwing with me like it had with Ciro. Yes! That had to be it. I wasn’t my usual self and needed to pull myself together.
“Great. I want you to find Chris and shadow him for a bit until I’m ready for you.”
“Anything you say,Isla.” My name rolled off his tongue with a delicate intent that didn’t match the glimmer in his eye. Instead, they were dark and filled with desire.
Any other time, I might’ve entertained his flirting. Maybe even flirted back. I would’ve considered Jon if Ciro hadn’t shown up. But I couldn’t engage my Jedi, not with my baby daddy in town, hovering over me andourdaughter.
I shook my head. What was I thinking?
