Page 28 of (UN)Bounded

“Of course. I thought you were busy, so I was planning on asking Rocco to run with me.” The smug smile I had on my face a couple of moments ago is replaced with an icy glare, and her laugh only makes me glare harder.

“Oh, you think you’re funny?” I ask.

“Hilarious,” she replies, and I just know in my veins that this woman was made for me. It doesn't matter how much older I am or who her family is—this woman is mine.

My body gets a mind of its own, and I close the space between us. She walks backward until she’s against the counter, and I cage her in, placing my arms on each side of her body. Bella’s eyes grow big, expecting my next move. I see her swallow, and all I want to do is kiss her, make her mine in this kitchen right now, throw caution to the wind, and deal with the consequences later. But all I do is lean down ever so slowly, my lips caressing her cheek. She closes her eyes and parts those pouty lips, ready for a kiss. I take a deep breath and step back, standing up straight. Her shoulders sag.

Is she disappointed I didn’t kiss her? Good. That’s good. I’m going to make it worth your wait, Bella. You’ll see.

“Okay, eat up so we can go for a hike, little miss funny.” I toss my napkins on the counter, making her chuckle at the nickname, but she continues to eat her fruit.

“Wow, and all this land is yours?” Bella asks as we get to the top of a hill that oversees all my property.

“Yes, I’ve been adding land over the years. When I first bought the villa, it was just a small parcel. But the thought of adding more land seemed right,” I answer her honestly.

“And do you have a special goal for all this land? Or is it just for pleasure?”

“I have no plans to develop this land; it would take away from the charm of the town. I just don’t want others to ruin it for the townsfolk, you know?”

“That’s very chivalrous of you. I hope people appreciate it.”

“They do. They weren’t sure of my intentions at first, but with time, they have come to know me. They accept that while I might be a billionaire, I’m not a greedy person. I actually enjoy the laid-back atmosphere the town provides me, and I sponsor a lot of the things the town needs. I also provide scholarships for kids who don’t have the resources to go to uni but do have the grades. They have taken me into their fold, and I like to repay the favor however I can.”

“That’s pretty amazing, Gabo. You are amazing,” she tells me, and her eyes shine brightly. I’ve never felt more proud of my actions than right this moment.

“You are the amazing one here.” I boop her nose, and she twitches it. I would give away all my money if it meant I could kiss the living daylights out of her right now.

The sun is shining bright but isn't too hot since it’s still early morning. There’s a light breeze that’s dancing with the trees and the bushes, creating a beautiful tune just for the two of us. I need to know for certain that she really wants this, that I’m not making things up.

Somehow, our bodies are flushed together; my arms are around her waist, and hers are against my chest.

“Gabo?”

“Yeah?”

“Are you going to kiss me?”

“I want to.”

“But?”

“I want to do this right, you know? I want to get to know you before I undress you. I want to make you fall in love with me so when we are finally together, there’s no doubt in your mind who you belong with,” I tell her honestly. I need her to understand that it’s not that I don’t want her; it’s that I want her for a long time.

Her smile falters, and now it’s my turn to frown and be confused. “Did I say something wrong?”

“Not wrong. There’s nothing more I want than to be with you and have a great summer with you, but the moment you start talking about a long time together, I will start to retreat,” she tells me with a smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

“But why? You must know I would never hurt you, at least not on purpose. Right?”

“You’re a good man, Gabo, but I don’t believe in love. Attraction, lust, desire, passion. Absolutely. But love? No, I don’t believe in that,” she tells me in a serious tone.

I know there’s way more behind her words, but I need to tread carefully here—she’s opening up to me, and I need to make her feel safe enough to tell me why she doesn’t believe in love.

“I’ll tell you what—let’s head back to the villa, freshen up, and head to the town for lunch. Maybe, afterward, if you’re in the mood, we can talk some more about this ‘love is not my thing’ deal.” This time, her smile is blinding like the sun, and right now, that’s enough for me.

When we get to town, we find the traditional farmers market in the town’s plaza. Bella does a little happy dance, and I raise my eyebrows at her.

“I’m just excited. This place is magical. I mean, look at all the little stands. The fruit looks so fresh and delicious. You think they’ll let me buy only one peach?” I smile at her enthusiasm as I pull her to my side. Once she’s in close proximity, I place my hand on the small of her back, dangerously close to her ass. She doesn’t move my hand. Instead, she puts her hand inside my jeans pocket and squeezes my ass. Damn, two peas in a pod.

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