in my arms. There isn’t a word in the dictionary to express the love I have for him. Which is why I won’t sit back and ignore my instincts.
Roni would make the perfect hitter. Not this security guard or whatever they are training her to be. What is it John wants to do with her? Humph, I will train her to her full potential.
“Vita, your papa has no idea the lengths I’ll go to, to protect this family. You will never know the losses of my past. He wants to play Don. I will play Donna Suprema,” I say and kiss my daughter’s nose as she coos up at me. “La rabbia della morte is just the beginning. This will be our new way.”
Chapter 37
No PDA
John
I thought I knew Roni, but I’m learning so much more about her with each hour we spend together. Like now, we’re walking through the streets of Manhattan and I have a smile on my face as she eyes my hot pretzel. Normally, I would hold it to her lips and let her bite it, but that’s not a Roni thing.
“You have no problem with me putting my mouth all over your body, but you won’t eat from me,” I say, trying not to laugh.
She shrugs. “It’s different.”
“Why’d you say you didn’t want one when clearly you do?”
“It didn’t look good until you got one.”
“Brat.”
“Whatever.”
I break a piece of the pretzel that I haven’t bitten off of and hand it to her in a napkin. She takes it with a smile that lights up her entire face. A smile that I want to consume with my own lips.
I lean in to kiss her, but she ducks me. I wrinkle my brows and watch her closely. “What?”
She looks up through her lashes and bites down on her lip. I drop my eyes to her mouth, and she frowns, those lip lines becoming more pronounced. Licking my own lips, I meet her gaze again.
“I’m not into PDA.”
My brain farts for a moment because she can’t mean what I think she does. With the right person, I can be very affectionate. With her I crave it.
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t do public displays of affection,” she replies.
My expression turns to shock. “You’re serious?”
I watch as she searches her feelings. She lifts her shoulders, a nervous look in her eyes. However, I don’t press her. I’m willing to adjust.
“John, I’m trying, okay. This just isn’t in my comfort zone. It feels like something that never has been for me.”
Bumping her with my shoulder, I wink at her. “I’m not complaining. I can adapt. Maybe someday you’ll be okay with me mauling you anywhere.”
“You sure it’s okay?”
“Once your little visitor is gone are you willing to let me cuff you to my bed and fuck you all night?”
“Dude, for real?” She barks out a laugh and tosses a napkin at me.
I laugh with her. “You’re laughing, I’m serious as a heart attack.”
“I know you are, with your nasty ass,” she smirks at me. “I’m afraid to find out all the shit you’re into.”
Leaning into her ear, I whisper. “We. All the shit we’re into. It’s you and me now.”
Roni
His words make butterflies take off in my belly. Again, I curse my period and it’s shitty timing. Today, I’m more pissed off than embarrassed.
It’s you and me now.
Why do those words make me feel so giddy inside? His eyes say so much as he looks down at me. I want to let my guard down and be cool with this, but there’s a nagging voice in the back of my head telling me not to get too close.
I know it’s crazy. This man went to get me pads, he washed my clothes and give me one of his shirts to wear today. Although he hasn’t said the word boyfriend, I’m pretty sure that’s who he’s become.
“So, what else should I know, Angel?” he says breaking into my thoughts.
“What do you mean?”
It’s like a lightbulb goes off and his eyes light up. “Tell me you will let me spoil you at least.”
“Huh?”
“I want to take you somewhere. You can’t tell me no once we’re there. I can buy you whatever I want. You game?”
“Isn’t there supposed to be a safe word between us?” He roars with laughter, causing people around us to turn and stare.
“We can discuss that later, but you should be thinking about it,” he says through his laughter.
“Come on you,” I say grabbing the front of his T-shirt to