Page 199 of Steamy Ever After

“It’s a decent job.”

“There are other decent jobs. And what about standup? You’re just going to give up after all the work you put into it?”

He stood and carried their plates into the kitchen, not bothering to answer. She grabbed their glasses and followed him.

“Giovanni—”

“What? Don’t you get it? I don’t want to discuss this!”

She drew back, her heart jolting in her chest, a nauseating fear swilling in her stomach. Countless times in her life, she’d been yelled at and worse, but never by him. The shock startled her fight or flight response into action and tears sprung to her eyes.

He winced as if equally surprised by his temper. Softening his voice, he apologized, “Sorry. I just really don’t want to talk about this.”

Not wanting to upset him anymore, she nodded tightly and watched him leave the kitchen. She clutched the glasses protectively to her chest as the wall pressed into her back. She let out a shaky breath and walked the cups to the sink, turning on the water and bracing her hands on the counter, waiting for a sense of balance to return.

Her throat constricted and the familiar instinct to run somewhere safe burned in her chest. But where would she go? This was her home.

As the water heated, so did her temper. She understood he was upset, but she had only been trying to help. She brought the subject up out of concern.

For the first time in her entire life, she felt safe in her house and didn’t like the idea that anyone could take that sense of security away from her—even Giovanni.

She shut off the faucet and returned to the living room. “Get out.”

“What?” He wore a startled expression.

“I want you to leave.”

He scowled at her. “What are you talking about?”

“You don’t get to yell at me—in my house—and then act like nothing happened. You’ve been in this mood for days and I’ve been trying to be patient, but you…” Her heart stuttered out of beat. “You never even told me when you got home.”

“So you’re throwing me out?”

Was she overreacting? “You haven’t even touched me since you’ve been back from Atlantic City.”

“So this is about sex?”

“No.”

“Well, I know it’s not about intimacy.”

She staggered back as if he slapped her.

“Shit, Erin, I didn’t mean?—”

“Shut up!” Her eyes welled with tears.

How could he throw that in her face? She tried her best and she’d given him more than she’d ever given anyone.

“Erin…” He crossed the room and hugged her, but she pushed him off, no longer wanting the weight of his arms around her.

“No.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

Her body chilled and her mind disconnected as he kissed her forehead and her cheek. He lifted her chin, angling her face so his lips could reach her mouth, but she just stood there.

“Forgive me.” He kissed her throat, holding her close. “I don’t want to leave.”

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