“Always a glass-half-full kind of girl.”
“Optimism makes life better.” She smiled brightly.
“You make life better.” Cheesy much? Damn straight I was, because I loved this woman with my whole heart. I was tired as fuck holding back from her. Tired of not living life to the fullest and of letting my inner fears control me.
“I’m not sure what changed with you, but I like this new side.”
I quirked up an eyebrow. “Only like?”
“Maybe more than like. I’m just cautious. It’s like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
I cradled her face. “Not gonna happen.” If I managed to fuck things up with Isla for a second time, I didn’t deserve her. It wasn’t just Isla I stood to lose. There was also my daughter. No chance I’d let that happen.
“I hope you’re right.”
I lowered my lips to hers and sealed them with a kiss. In the past, I’d been unpredictable. When I felt like I was getting too close to Isla, I pulled back. She’d put up with my shit until she’d had enough. I wouldn’t put her through that again.
It didn’t mean I no longer had issues. I sure as hell did. But I was motivated on a new level to work past them once and for all.
I had everything to lose if I didn’t do right by Isla.
29
CIRO
I leftmy heart in San Francisco. Was that a song? If not, it should have been. An angsty, bluesy song. The kind that squeezed the air out of your lungs with every strum of a guitar. Where you’d find yourself lost in the words and the melody, transporting you back to a moment in time.
I could almost imagine the tune and the scene in San Francisco, when I was pushing my daughter in the stroller and Isla was in perfect step with me, her hand curled around my arm.
What I wouldn’t do to be back in California with them right now. It’d only been a few hours since I left them, and I felt bereft without them.
The driver pulled up to the security gate at the estate and spoke to the guard, then we drove in front of the five-car garage. I sat in my seat for a moment as I read the text Isla sent me.
Isla: Alba is thrilled with her room. She says, thank you.
Isla: I hope your flight was good. I think Pippa keeps looking for you. I know I do.
She misses me. It was like I could hear her saccharine voice. Damn, if it didn’t make me miss her even more.
I typed out a quick reply.
Ciro: Tell Alba it’s my pleasure. At the estate now. Kiss Pippa for me.
Ciro: Next time, I want a lot more kissing and sex.
Why hide the truth? We had a lot of time to make up for. Intimacy had been a huge part of our relationship. When we were naked and vulnerable, we were our true selves together.
I waited for a reply, noting it was Pippa’s bath time. After a few seconds, I inhaled a deep breath, exited the car, and stared at the black matte Lamborghini I enjoyed riding in. It was bulletproof and had many custom modifications. It would never suffice. I needed a family car. Tomorrow, I’d order a new SUV to have delivered before I brought my girls home to Canada.
Homeblared like a neon sign as I made my way to the staff’s door. My hands started to sweat, and my heart raced.
Why did this have to happen now?
I’d just spent two nights with Isla. My home was where she and Pippa were. They would be safe with me. I wouldn’t let anything happen to them.
Inhaling a deep breath, I fought to calm my anxiety, anxiety that was linked to the past. My phone vibrated in my pocket.Isla. Just seeing her name steadied my heart.
Isla: I might be open to more kissing and sex.
