Page 86 of Maddest Temptation

When I entered her, Francesca moaned and dug her nails into my back just how I liked it. I knew she wanted me to fuck her hard and fast, but I didn’t, I took it slow. Her moans turned into sobs and tears began to flow down her cheeks.

I stopped.

“I’m sorry,” she tried to hide her face from me. “Ignore me, please just keep going.”

I pulled out and threw the condom away, I picked her up into my arms, cradling her like a child. Francesca tucked her head into the crook of my neck and began to cry. My heart squeezed painfully in my chest, hearing her cry was worse than being shot.

“I’ve got you, Principessa.” She held me tightly, and I kissed the crown of her head, soothing her. “I’ll always be here for you,” I promised.

Even when we were nothing but dust, I would come for her, I would be there to protect her, to hold her and love her.

I sucked in a deep breath as I realized the truth. I loved Francesca, probably never stopped loving her. It was the one thing that would never change. The only constant in my chaotic life.

I was learning how to love again, to lose my fears. She was teaching me how to listen. That the beating of my heart was more than a simple action and reaction. It was a language that she understood.

]Loving her was a gift, and I would do anything in my power to cherish her as she deserved. Even if she one day woke up and realized she no longer wanted me. I would still love her.

24

FRANCESCA

Okay. I was freaking out.

I searched through the pile of clothes on top of the bed and couldn’t find what I was looking for, I knew I should have kept it somewhere safer. As I searched for his birthday present, my phone rang.

“Marie?” I picked up before it went to voicemail.

“Are you okay? You seem upbeat,” she remarked, and I was starting to think maybe I was different.

“Where are you?” I changed the subject before she came up with any more ideas.

“Vitelli and I are going out for dinner.” I heard Vitelli’s voice as he was forced to greet me, and I laughed. Then it hit me.

“Just the two of you?”

“Yeah, why? You always refuse to join us.” True, I did but I was quite busy myself.

“Aren’t you guys celebrating Cassio’s birthday?”

“What…it’s your brother’s birthday?” She pulled the phone away and I imagined she asked Vitelli. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Marie complained. There were a few mumblings and then she was back. “Vitelli says his brother hasn’t celebrated his birthday in years and hates to do so. So, we’re going to get dinner ourselves.”

“Hey, Marie, I have to go, I’m kind of late.”

I heard her say something, but I had already ended the call. I looked at all the clothes on my bed and on the floor and picked them up shoving them in the closet. It had been a week now since I had moved—or rather been forced—to Cassio’s place. I wasn’t going to lie, going back to my apartment to grab some extra clothes and basic necessities had been daunting. Thankfully, he had been by my side the entire time.

Ever since that night and my move to Cassio’s, things had shifted between us. Despite having my stuff in his guest bedroom, I hadn’t slept there once. Not that there was much sleeping being done in his room either.

I woke up with him every day for the past week—at an ungodly hour—and cooked him his favorite pancakes. It was beautiful to watch him savor my food and not criticize me for doing the help’s work. Then he’d drive me to the hospital where I spent my day, and Vince would bring me back. I’d cook for Cassio again and we’d eat dinner together, all very mundane, natural as if we’ve been doing this for a lifetime.

“Damn it.” I sat on the bed, fell back, and glared at the ceiling.

How could I have lost his present? The small box was right there where I had put it this morning and now it was gone. I looked at Reginald who was chewing on a toy I’d bought for him so he wouldn’t chew on Cassio’s shoes—yes, he did that.

Now it was too late to find another gift for him. I’d have to think about something else.

As I recalled, Cassio had never enjoyed celebrating his birthday, he disliked parties and crowded places. He preferred spending it with family. It was sad to know he hadn’t done so in years. He deserved to be celebrated.

I shot up from the bed as an idea came to mind. “Come on, Reggie, we have work to do.” I picked him up from the floor and headed downstairs.

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