Page 31 of (UN)Bounded

“I’m sorry, you’re what?” I ask Karina, even though Luca is the one who called.

“Surprise! We didn’t want to say anything until we passed the first trimester. Then life just got busy, so only Mom and Dad know.” I look at Bella to see if she knows, but she’s as flabbergasted as I am.

“Fuck, I’m going to be an uncle and I didn’t know? You guys suck.”

“Yeah, what Gabo said. I’m the only auntie this baby will have, and I didn’t know? I need to go tomorrow and buy out the entire Versace baby store for this kid.”

Karina is howling in laughter in the background as Luca continues to talk. “So that answers my question. You two are together.”

Bella rolls her eyes almost comically, and I have to cough to cover my laugh.

“Yes, brother dearest. I’m with Gabo, my host. What a crazy thought, huh?” Bella retorts, which only makes Karina laugh harder.

“I’m sorry, Isa. I just worry about you. That’s all.”

“And you know I love you for it, Luca. But you need to chill. I’m an adult who can make her own decisions.”

“I know, I know. It’s just Gio said maybe he saw something between the two of you. I just wanted to make sure you’re not fooling around with each other. You guys know that would be fucked up, right?.”

I don’t even have time to react as Bella grabs the phone from my hand and shuts off the speaker.

“Enough is enough, Luca Bianchi. I love you. I’m forever grateful for everything you’ve done for me, but if you ever think, even for a second, that you have a say in who I date or who I fuck, you’re sorely mistaken. It’s none of your business, or Gio’s, or anyone else’s if I decide to have a one-night stand, a fling, or whatever with Gabo or any other mortal on this earth. If you think you have a say in my life because you gave me money, I’m sorry to break it to you, but you don’t. I’ll be depositing your money and Gio’s money back into your accounts tomorrow morning. And until you can accept that I’m an adult who can make my own choices, don’t contact me again.”

Bella hangs up, not waiting for Luca to say anything back. I don’t think—I just kiss her. Holy fuck, where has this woman been my entire life? The way she stood up for herself is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.

The kiss isn’t gentle or measured. It’s bruising and passionate and all-consuming. I hold her by her waist and lift her to the kitchen counter, just like I’ve been dreaming of doing all day long. The way she responds to me, letting me explore her body with my hands while she explores mine, it’s like she was made for me.

She must like what she feels because she pulls me flush against her. The moment she starts lifting my shirt, I know we need to stop. I don’t want to, my dick for sure doesn’t want to, but we still need to talk.

“Fuck, Bella. You drive me out of my mind. The way you handled your brother was so sexy,” I say against her lips, and she bites my lip. Damn. “But we need to make dinner, and then we have to talk. Remember?” I bite the pout that forms on her lips before trying to busy myself by setting out the ingredients to start the pasta.

“I hope I didn’t get you in trouble with him. I know you guys are close, but the man is about to become a dad, and he still gives me shit about my life. I just couldn’t take it anymore,” she says as she starts prepping the produce we bought earlier today to make the sauce.

“As I said, what you did was incredibly sexy. Don’t worry about getting me into trouble with him. We’re just two adults trying to figure out this pull between us. It doesn’t concern anyone else.”

She stands behind me and hugs me against her. It’s cute to see this petite woman trying to embrace me.

“By the way, any chance you know of a job I can get this summer? Since I’m returning the money, my funds will decrease considerably.”

“You don’t need to work, I can provide for your every need,” I tell her honestly—there’s nothing I want more than to spoil her.

“I know you can, but I still want to pay for my things, you know? It’s a pride thing now. Besides, without that money, I won’t be able to open my gallery as fast as I thought I would. Every little bit of money I can start making now would help.”

And this right here is one of the things that attracts me to her the most: she’s resilient, determined, and brave.

“I’ll tell you what—let’s enjoy the rest of the weekend, and on Monday, I’ll see if we can create an extra intern position at the design firm. I’m sure we can work around your uni schedule.”

“Thank you, G.” She spanks my ass as she goes back to her chopping board, and I chuckle at her antics.

After dinner, we decided to eat the coffee gelato directly from the tub instead of making the tiramisu and sit down by the pool in a huge lounge chair that comfortably fits both of us.

“What a beautiful night. The only thing that would make it better would be to have a telescope to see the stars,” Bella muses, and I make a mental note to buy a telescope for the next time we’re at the villa.

“It is a beautiful night. It’s actually perfect for talking.” I smile at her as she groans.

“Ugh, I forgot we still have to have this conversation. Okay, what do you want to know?” she asks, squaring her shoulders.

“Well, first of all, why does the idea of a relationship make you want to run away?”

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