Page 79 of Tainted Ties

His view on the situation was understandable and I sympathized with him, but this was nonnegotiable.

“You raised me after I lost my parents and I’ll forever be grateful for you, but don’t make me choose.”

“Why? Because you’ll choose her?”

Yes.

Taking a sip of the amber liquid in my hand, I let him answer his own question.

“I see,” he said with furrowed brows before a hint of a smile adorned his face. “You’re as stubborn as yourpapà.”

A warm sense of nostalgia seeped into my chest at the mention of my father.

Uncle Stefano stood from his chair, buttoning his suit jacket. “I love you, Roman, but I make no promises.” He walked toward my office door, his hand circling the knob, but before turning it, he glanced back at me with uncertainty. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

The door clicked shut, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Thoughts that should’ve centered around whether my uncle was going to go against my command. Instead, they centered around someone who never left my mind. Green eyes and long black hair.

You’ve fallen in love with the girl.

I could deny it all I wanted, but the way my blood pumped faster around her, the way my eyes searched for her in every room, the way I longed for her presence when she wasn’t near proved otherwise.

I was in love with Aurora Bianchi.

Chapter29

Aurora

Ididn’t know why I decided to do this.

I mean, it wouldn’t be the first time I cooked breakfast, but the knowledge that Roman would be eating something I made had me questioning my abilities.

“It’s not too late for Gianna to make breakfast, you know.”

I turned my attention away from the turkey bacon cooking on the pan and stared at Roman with narrowed eyes. “It’s not too late to put on a shirt either,” I mocked, sizing him up with my spatula.

His laugh raked along my skin in a rough caress, making me hyperaware of his naked torso. No one should bethatattractive.

He tilted his head in feigned innocence. “I don’t think so.”

I chuckled at his arrogance, turning back to flip the bacon when strong arms wrapped around my waist. “I enjoy watching your cheeks turn pink every time I catch you gawking at me.”

My knees threatened to buckle against his hold when his soft lips landed on the apple of my cheek, giving it a peck.

“I don’tgawk.”I so was.

He nuzzled the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply. “It’d be okay if you did. After all, I unashamedly do it to you.”

I cleared my throat. “Can you, uh, set up the table?” If he continued touching me, I’d eathimfor breakfast.

He squeezed my hip before moving toward the cabinet to our right, grabbing plates.

“Might want to explain the meaning behind each tattoo while you’re at it.”

“They’re all meaningless,” he answered, opening the fridge, and pulling out cranberry juice.

I opened the oven, took out the frittata, and set it on the island between the pancakes and fruit medley.

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