I know the book’s location because I’ve used it before, so it should be in the same spot. As I’m scanning the shelf for the spine, I sense someone watching me.
I glance to my left and see Miguel standing there, leaning against the shelf.
“You are so beautiful,” he says. “How are you so beautiful and fiery and passionate and unlike any woman I’ve ever met?”
I blush this time and shake my head. “You’re being ridiculous. Compliments won’t win you points.”
“What will?” he asks, and I realize he’s moving toward me.
I turn to face him. “Well, being unique and treating me like I’m worthwhile will definitely help.”
“You are so worthwhile. More than.” He is a few inches from me, and I glance down. He uses the tip of his finger to tilt my face to look at him and gives me a warm smile. “So much more.”
He leans down and kisses me softly. At first, I want to resist, but he tastes so damn good. I try to stifle the little moan making its way out of me, but I can’t stop it.
Miguel turns me so my back is against the shelf and kisses me passionately. I melt into the kiss, sliding my arms around his neck as his arms slide up and down my curves. He presses us together, and I can feel the rather large, rather hard erection trapped in his pants. It’s enough to bring me back to my senses.
I gently push him away, and he doesn’t resist. He steps away and clears his throat.
I blush and say, “I should get back to my books. The one I’m looking for isn’t here.”
“Yeah.” His voice sounds strained.
I walk back to the table and sit down. After a while, he emerges from the stacks, adjusting his pants. We both settle back into our studies, but I struggle to concentrate as I can’t shake the feeling of his lips against mine.
Present day
After having a good cry, mostly because I miss Raphael, I steel myself and have a shower. I dress in the red dress they bought and the black pumps. It fits me perfectly and hugs my curves wonderfully. I would actually be excited for wearing this outfit under different circumstances. I leave my hair down as it’ll curl by itself. I knock on the door submissively, and Jarred opens it. He eyes my dress and nods. “Good idea. The food here is delicious.”
I don’t say anything, but he steps away from the door so that I can come out. He leads me down to the dining room, where Miguel is tucking into a steak. There’s a covered plate on the opposite side of the table. I sit down, and Miguel looks up. “Eat.”
A butler removes the cover. Steak, egg, mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn. A very American dinner. I pick up my cutlery and begin to eat. I’m only about a quarter into my food when I realize Miguel is just staring at me as he eats. I meet his gaze, but before I can look away, he asks, “So, where have you been?”
“Excuse me?” I ask with a frown.
“Where have you been the last thirteen years, Kira?” he asks, cutting up another piece of steak.
I don’t answer him. I can’t tell him about Raphael. I look down at my plate for a moment but look up sharply as his fist hits the table. “Did you decide to just whore around as much as you could?” he shouts. “Decide to see how many people you could use.”
“I never fucking used you, Miguel,” I raise my voice to him as well.
“Then where did you go?” he stands. “Tell me where the fuck you disappeared after you promised me everything.”
I glare at him. “It’s none of your fucking business where I went. I don’t answer to you. I am a Sorvino, not a Rossi.”
He sweeps his dishes off the table into the wall to my left and storms out of the room. I quickly return to my food because I don’t know if they’re going to let me eat again or finish what I’ve been given.
Chapter 14 - Miguel
My patience is wearing thin with Kira.
Is it really hard to tell someone where you’ve been for thirteen years? Probably, if you have something, you’re trying to hide. The thought of her being with other loves over these years sends me into a blind rage.
Without a word, she just upped and left me to go fuck whomever she wanted. I hadn’t thought her capable of that. I thought her father had married her off, but I couldn’t find a trace of her in New York. She’s clearly not married. There’s no ring.
I need to take a walk. I need to clear my head. It’s six in the morning, and I’ve had an even more restless night than usual.
I get dressed and walk out into the garden, taking a slow stroll around it. I modeled this garden after the Dean’s garden at the campus, where we had our first of many dates. We sneaked into there a few times while we saw each other. There was just more privacy there. We felt like we were in our own magical world, away from all the demands and pressures of living a mob life.