“You’re incorrigible. The baby can hear you.”
“She doesn’t understand what we say.” He waggled his dark eyebrows.
“Not yet, but she will soon enough.”
“You’re right, My-la.” He kissed my temple, then Pippa’s head. “I’ll do better.”
I stared at him, wholly stunned. “Why are you so agreeable?”
“Finish feeding her so we can go.” He released us and the emptiness I felt was acute. Ciro was chipping away at my walls and would soon break through, and I’d crumble at his feet.
Give him another chance, Isla. He’s trying. Meet him halfway.
I shouldn’t hold onto the hurt. I should try to help mend our broken relationship for our daughter’s sake. My lovebugdeserved to have both her parents in her life and have a whole family.
I’ll lower my guard a little.
After feeding Pippa and getting both of us ready for the day, we went to Ciro’s five-star hotel.
I’d forgotten what living in the lap of luxury felt like. Even though I didn’t live with Ciro when we were together, I was treated to the finer things in life: luxurious hotels, the finest restaurants, shopping without a budget, and the best seats at any event.
As I stared out at the breathtaking view of the Golden Gate Bridge, I knew Pippa would be well taken care of from here on out. Ciro would make sure she had the best that money could buy.
“Ciro,” I called to him after the shower had been turned off for a bit. I was in his bedroom, not wanting to be alone with Paolo. His judgmental stare made me uncomfortable. I was confident I’d get plenty of salty glares from Ciro’s family when I took Pippa to meet them for the first time. I wasn’t looking forward to that meeting.
He appeared in only a towel wrapped around his waist. “Yeah?”
I turned away quickly. “Honestly.” I wanted to climb him like a tree and grind out an orgasm. I’d been painfully horny all morning and could tell he knew how much he affected me.
He laughed. “What, baby?Youcalled me.”
“Well, I thought you would be dressed by now.” He continued toward me with a wicked grin. His rich-brown eyes fixed on me. Dammit, if I didn’t soak my panties. “What do you need, My-la?” He rubbed his hands up and down my sides.
“Behave yourself in front of the baby.”
“Just in front of the baby? Looks to me like she’s enjoying Mommy and Daddy being happy and playful together.” He kissed the side of Pippa’s head and kissed my forehead, holding his lips in place for several beats of my heart.
“When did you want your family to meet Pippa?”
He pulled back, smiling. “I’m glad you brought it up. How about next weekend?”
“So soon? I usually work weekends.”
“No, baby. You don’t. I told you to quit so you can give Pippa all your attention… and me.” He winked. “You know you want to.”
Yes, more than anything, but… “I can’t just quit. And we aren’t back together. We’re trying to see if we’ll work together.”
“I know we’ll work together. And I’m pretty sure you know it too. Last night was proof.”
I didn’t know anything and had lost my mind when I allowed him into my bed. He had seduced me, and he wasn’t about to let me forget he’d gotten between my legs.
Could we work as a couple?
I hoped and prayed we could for Pippa, but Ciro was a complex man with sometimes irrational emotions. Right now, he was in a calm, content place after having sex.
What would happen if memories of his mom hit out of nowhere and he pushed Pippa and me away like he had many times before?
I couldn’t be foolish. I had my daughter to consider.
