completely eating me whole, and it seems like he’s staring at… my lips? Fuck, is my lipstick smeared? I want to pull out my pocket mirror from my purse, but it would be too obvious.
Okay, I need to take a deep breath and relax. I need to cool off. I need to remind myself he’s just another guy.
Another guy who is most likely another asshole.
Shit, a guy like him probably has women hanging all over him on a daily basis. He’s sure to be a complete heartbreaking asshole. They’re all the same, and I’m sure he’s as cocky, arrogant, and dick-headed as they all are.
I’ve had more than my share of it all, and I’m not looking for another way to get my heart broken.
I need to keep my cool and remind myself that all guys are no good. All guys are pricks only looking for one thing.
He breaks my train of thought with his next words. “Well, I don’t mean to hold you up. I’m sure you have places to be.” He pauses for a second, staring at my mouth again for a bit too long. “It was nice officially meeting you, Carissa.”
Damn, the way he said my name…
Nodding, I respond, “Likewise.”
Our eyes continue to take one another in, but something deep inside me is causing heat to form deep in my core.
Fuck, he’s hot. His smoldering look, burning into me… his sexy grin… He’s igniting a fire within me I’m not sure I can control.
Dammit, Carissa. Get your shit together. Focus…
Remember, he’s no good for you. He’s an asshole, only looking for one thing.
Okay, sure, all guys are pricks, assholes, and shitheads only looking for one thing, but something about the way he bores his gaze into me is making it really hard for me to follow the rules I set aside for myself.
Chapter Ten
Lorenzo
“Where’s Jordan?” I ask my sister as we’re sitting around the dining room table enjoying Mom’s Sunday dinner. He had finally reached out to her a few days ago and was supposed to be here with us today. It’s tradition for the family to be here on Sundays, but it’s not the first one he’s missed.
Marianna shrugs, failing to meet my gaze. “Away on business again.”
Shit. My sister’s husband is constantly away on business, or so he says. I don’t know if it’s true, and I know my sister is skeptical about it as well. It’s a touchy subject, but for his sake, it better be true. I’ll kill him if he hurts her.
“Ma, this rigatoni-and-sausage combo is amazing,” Max says, chiming in, and I’m thankful for the change in topic.
“Uncle Maxy… that’s a lot of food in your mouth.”
I look over at my five-year-old who has dropped her fork and is looking to her right. She’s staring wide-eyed at her Uncle Maxy scarfing down his plate of pasta.
I chuckle to myself and lean down to whisper in her ear. “And just think… When your uncle was your age, all he ate was mac and cheese. He never wanted to eat Grandma’s food.”
“But it’s so good,” she answers back quietly.
“What are you whispering to her?” Max looks at me, with a raised eyebrow.
“I know, right?” I say to her. Straightening back up, I take a glance at Max again. “Oh, so I guess now your mouth is empty enough to speak.” I chuckle again. “I wasn’t saying anything false. I was just telling her you used to always pass up Mom’s food when we were kids. Thankfully, she can’t believe it because she knows it’s delicious, even at her age. I have to say my five-year-old’s a whole lot smarter than you were back then… well, now too.” I snicker.
“You kids never quit,” my father says after swallowing a mouthful of red wine. Then, looking at his little granddaughter sitting to his left, he says, “It’s okay, sweetheart. Don’t pay them no mind. There are three bites left on your plate. Eat up.” He winks at her.
Gianna’s dumbfounded expression quickly changes. She smiles, picks her fork back up, and resumes stuffing another bite of pasta into her mouth. For a kid, she eats rather well and rarely complains when she’s served something she doesn’t recognize. Whenever my mother cooks for her, Gianna always cleans the plate.
“Enz was telling Gia what a moron you are,” Marianna states from the opposite side of the table, looking at Max.
“That’s enough, you guys!” Mom walks into the dining room carrying yet another plate full of food. This time