Page 11 of The Billionaire's Pact

He raised his frozen hand, and I waved goodbye before the screen went dark.

I turned off the lights and let the tears roll down my cheek.

I woke early the next morning and already had a message from Mr. Marini.

M: When should I feed the birds?

I wrote back.

Adelina: 11 a.m. Run. Rest at beach.

I left for the run a few hours later. Once out the patio door, I stretched, then headed down to the bottom of the hill. Mr. Marini wasn’t there, but I hoped he’d show up on my way back.

There was a paved path that ran along the reservoir. The mist over the water rose as the light and dawn spread over the sky. The smell of the river intermixed with flowers and plants that bloomed with the spring. It was the one thing I most enjoyed when I visited, as it allowed time to myself and gave me peace.

Stopping to catch my breath and enjoy the view, registered footfalls behind me. My heartbeat quickened, and I turned, ready to move out of the way of whatever was approaching. But what showed up had me frozen as a pair of long, tanned, muscular legs slowed to stop in front of me.

The man wore dark shorts and a fitted T-shirt that hugged his defined chest and abs. His arms were solid and sinewy. I lifted my eyes higher over his broad shoulders to his face —whoa. He had one of those rare, beautiful faces, chiseled by God’s hands. Undeniably gorgeous. From his smug expression on his full lips, he seemed pleased with the powerful effect his looks had on us meager mortals. His blue eyes burrowed in just like they’d done eight years ago. There was a spark of recognition in them as he remembered me. Rocco Marini.

A flicker of delight blossomed and spread through me at a pace as fast as my pulse. He’d caught me off guard. I hadn’t expected to see him or had time to mask my expressions.

“This isn’t the spot where you feed the birds,” his voice was deep with a hint of amusement. But hearing him say what Mr. Marini had texted me broke his spell, and I thankfully came to my senses.

Recovering, I stepped back. “What do you know about it, rich boy?”

Rocco let out a chuckle. “You remember me?” He folded his arms, and I couldn’t help but look at how they flexed. Shit. “I apologize for the way I treated you back then. It was rude.”

I waved my hand dismissively. “It was a long time ago.” He had been impolite, but looking back on it, it was also kind of funny. He had barged into the conversation between his grandfather and me, demanding he come in for dinner. Bygones. Water under the bridge.

His smile wilted. “After you left that night, I asked my grandpa to do something.”

I grimaced, remembering that awful night. I’d been a poor, beat-down kid. Cold and hungry. Everything I hated, but that had been eight years ago. In my head, I’d become a new person that didn’t need pity. I worked hard in college, and no one ever brought up my past. However, in only a few seconds, Rocco had brought it all back. “I’m over it, but thank you, Mr. Marini.”

“Rocco,” he said. “You can call me Rocco, Adelina.”

I instantly hated how much I liked hearing his deep voice say my name. But what did he mean, I could call him Rocco? Like I’d ever see him again?

I shifted my legs and glanced around. “Is your grandfather here? I thought he’d come feed the birds today.”

“He told me to come in his place. He’s not at the house, by the way.”

I held my elbow across my chest to try and stop my chest from rising and falling. And to prevent him from seeing my nipples tighten through my shirt. “Oh, I didn’t know.”

It irked me that Mr. Marini had told Rocco he talked to me. But my family still didn’t know about it, so Rocco must have kept it a secret.

“Grandpa meant no harm. He thinks very highly of you. He often tells us about you.”

“Oh? Hmmm. That’s nice,” I murmured, bobbing my head and touching my warm neck.

“He thought I’d like to see you again. He was right.”

Thud. Thud. Thud. My heart pounded. I wanted to ask why he’d want to see me, but I didn’t. I looked at him again and Rocco stared intensely at me. What should I say? I had no idea. But gaping at him wasn’t it. I rocked on my heels and was about to go when he said, “Congratulations on graduating. You were top of your class?”

My cheeks warmed. “I did all right. It’s not like going to space.”

He squinted. “Space?”

“Well, I’m sure it won’t be too hard to find the picture of you out in outer space.” I did a quick search on my phone and showed him the image.

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