42
Karina
“What’s going on?” I ask. It’s easy to sense when something isn’t quite right.
Aurielo blew through the door. I thought he was going to take it down when he came into Ivy’s bedroom. I doubt it was about the paint job.
He opens the bedroom door, and I step in first. He shuts it behind him and begins to strip out of his clothes, heading for the dresser to find something to wear that can get paint on it.
My gaze moves over his body. He’s never been shy about the way he looks. He’s hot, there’s no reason for him to have any self-doubt, but his confidence is just as sexy as him.
“Alessandro called me into his office.”
I already knew that small tidbit. “And?” I’m waiting for the juicy parts of the story if he’s willing to divulge it to me.
“Etta is dead.”
His expression is empty. The smile from moments earlier has vanished.
“I’m sorry,” I say and step closer, pulling him in for a hug. While I didn’t like the woman, the fact that she might have been carrying his child couldn’t have been easy for him.
I don’t ask for the details. I’m not sure whether he knows them or not, but it’s none of my business. If Aurielo wants to tell me what he knows, he will when he’s ready.
He nuzzles my neck, and his arms wrap around me, clinging to my body. There’s a warmth and comfort in sharing an embrace.
“I love you,” I whisper.
I need him to know how I feel. Maybe it isn’t the best time to tell him that he’s stirred a desire locked up inside of me that I didn’t know existed, but a world without him isn’t one I want to live in.
His lips crush mine.
My fingers claw through his hair, pulling him tighter as we kiss.
There’s a wild hunger, a yearning for more that can’t be sated from just a kiss. He pulls back long enough to undo the buckle on his pants.
“Do you think they’ll miss us?” I ask.
“Who?” His brow knits in confusion.
“My sister and Ash,” I say before leaning in for another taste. The fire has been fueled, and I’m not ready to let go.