“You know what we have is special and there’s no denying it, us,” I try again.
“It’s over, Gio.”
My body bends forward slightly, her words a punch to the gut.
“It’s never over until Daddy says it’s over,” I throw a Hail Mary.
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“Cut the Daddy crap right now. Okay?”
“No, because when I told you I’m your Daddy and I’m going to take care of you forever I meant it. It wasn’t just a game. It’s a way of life and my life is nothing without you.”
“Too late for that.”
“It’s never too late, and as a matter of fact I’ve got a plan.”
“Another one of your plans I don’t hear about until it’s already finished? A plan where I have no say in the outcome of my own life? That’s not a plan, that’s you, an older man manipulating what you perceive to be a naive young girl. No thanks.”
She goes to move, but I grab her by the arm. She swings her books around like a shield and looks at me and then at my hand…but says nothing.
“Everything okay here, ma’am?” a campus cop, just passing by, asks.
“Beat it,” I say, baring my teeth and he waits for one second and leaves. Honestly, I’m torn. Although I’m definitely an imposing figure he should have done his job and waited on confirmation from the woman that she’s okay. My faith in the young men in this country is fading faster and faster each and every day.
“All I have to do is yell and someone will arrest you.”
“But you don’t want to do that because I love you.”
“Don’t say that,” she says, looking away.
I grab her face making her look into my eyes. I just stare into those baby blues until suddenly she cracks, smiling at me and I can’t help but do the same. “See, there it is. We just can’t be mad at each other. And for the record, that smile…I fall in love with you all over again every single time you flash it in my direction.” I pause. “And speaking of flashing, why are you showing so much skin?”
“Oh God,” she rolls her eyes. “It’s hot and—“
“You’re mine, remember. For my eyes only.”
“Well, I haven’t seen your eyes around lately.”
“I’ve been lurking in the shadows.”
“That sounds stalkerish.”
“I do what it takes to make sure you’re safe. Little girl your needs always come before mine, remember?”
She exhales hard. “What I don’t remember is us ever discussing how this can work when…one, my dad hates your guts now…two, I’m away at college for the next four years…and three—“
“None of that matters. That’s number three,” I say moving in quickly and claiming her lips before she has time to present more of an argument.
At first, she doesn’t kiss me back, but before long she can’t resist and we’re both face-fucking right there on the sidewalk, the sound of her books hitting the cement barely audible over our moans.
I pull my face back, both my hands cupping hers.
“Come to Italy with me,” I command.
“Are you crazy? No. I’m in college.”
“I already checked and they have a study abroad program, not to mention that it’s 2020 and, hello! Almost every college in the world offers study from home these days.”