Page 101 of Ricardo

I react to that on two levels. The words themselves are like an epiphany to me, but it’s more than that. I’ve heard that kind of anger before where Harrison is concerned.

At this moment, Ricardo reminds me so much of Dante, it leaves me breathless.

I now see where Dante gets it from, and I know that if Ricardo knew the full extent of Harrison’s cruelty and what he really did, the anger Dante showed would pale in comparison to Ricardo’s.

No, I can’t think of that right now. I’ve already allowed Harrison to occupy too much space between us. Maybe irreparably.

Ricardo’s jaw tightens. He’s not done.

“And if he could not bear your desire,” he says, “then that is because he had no idea how to handle a woman like you.”

Something in my chest breaks open.

A woman like you.

He says it like there is nothing wrong with me. That maybe the problem was Harrison all along.

My fingers loosen where they are clutching the dress to my chest.

“What does that mean?” I ask, barely above a whisper.

“It means…” Ricardo’s voice goes low and seductive. “I don’t have that problem, tesoro mio.”

My treasure.

“You are wrong, Julia,” he continues. “He is not in this room with us.”

“I-I know that, rationally,” I stutter.

“I want to make sure you know that actually,” he says. “Will you let me?”

I stare at him, half-dressed and humiliated and aching for him, and he looks back at me as if none of this has made me less desirable.

As if stopping has not cost me a damn thing.

“How?” I whisper.

A slow, seductive smile crosses his face. “I think it would be better if I showed you.”

“I… I am a visual learner,” I say, breathless.

“I need one word from you, cuore mio,” he murmurs. “One word to show you exactly how wrong he was.”

My breath catches.

The shame is still there, but it is so much smaller now. Suddenly less significant. Pushed back by the heat in Ricardo’s eyes and the low murmur of his words caressing my skin.

“Yes,” I whisper.

Chapter Twelve

Ricardo

That one word is all I need. For now anyway.

I lean in and kiss her.

This kiss is different from the others. This is not just a kiss now. It's an eraser.