“I can’t leave Falina high and dry. It’s a busy time at the bistro. We have a lot of catering events. She needs me.”
He groaned, stalking back to the bathroom. “Then you tell me when, and I’ll arrange it,” he hollered from the bathroom. “But I want you both with me. Permanently.”
That I figured.
“Another thing…” He strutted out of the bathroom in his dark denim jeans but shirtless. Mercy. He could be on the cover of a romance novel. “I don’t want you in that apartment.”
“Ciro—”
“Hear me on this. Stay here in my suite. You and Pippa will be more comfortable and so will Paolo.”
“You’re leaving him here?”
“Did you think I wouldn’t?” he asked incredulously.
“I hoped he would return with you to Canada.”
“Not happening.”
I groaned in frustration. “We’ve been just fine all these months, you know?”
“Don’t remind me,” he hissed. “Just do this for me. You can order room service, and it’s not far from the bistro. It’s perfect. Plus, you won’t have to drive your crappy car. You can walk to work or call a cab.”
I shook my head as he grinned. “You make it sound like it’s so simple.”
“Baby, it is so simple.” He cradled my face. His gaze dropped to my lips, and I inhaled when butterflies scrambled in my belly. “We’ll bring over what you need this evening before I leave.”
“I don’t know.” This felt like old times when Ciro had an answer for everything, and I always crumbled under pressure to please him.
“Please, Isla. I’d feel better if I knew you were both safe.”
See? How could I argue with him? Last night’s incident with Elsie and Roy scared me more than any other time. I was grateful Ciro had been there to help, but I hadn’t anticipatedbeing intimate. I’d thought allowing him into my bed would defuse his anger.
Stop it. You were trying to distract him just as much as he was trying to get between your legs.
Guilty.
“There’s Alba to think about too.”
“Ask her to drive into the city to watch Pippa. Or better yet, I’ll get her a room.”
“Really?” Alba would be delighted to stay at the five-star hotel at Ciro’s expense. Like me, she couldn’t afford anything luxurious.
“Of course. It can be like a mini vacation for her. She can use the spa downstairs, order room service, and you girls can hang out. It’s just for a few days. I’ll be back by Thursday evening at the latest.”
“You’re coming back so soon?” I felt my face light up.
“Yes, My-la.” He ran his finger over the apple of my cheek. “But baby, it’s not soon enough. I don’t want to leave tonight.”
Melting, melting, melting…
Every word, touch, and look Ciro gave me turned me into liquid.
I only hoped I wasn’t headed for a world of hurt and more heartache.
28
CIRO
