Page 122 of King of Obsession

‘You’re one of a kind man,’ I whispered. ‘Rare,’ I added as if not quite believing it.

‘Why do you say so?’

I turned to lock eyes with Alessio. ‘Because most men I’ve encountered have been monsters. They’ve suffered no consequences for the horrible things they’ve perpetrated on women. Despite their behavior, I’ve had to retain hope andkeep fucking trucking, no matter what they’d done to me, or I’d have been too angry to live.’

My voice rose, the bitterness within me welling up. ‘From my father to Franco and his sons, my lifetime has been spent witnessing others manipulating, lying, bullying, misleading, and freakin’ forcing marriage on me — all consequence-free.’

‘You’ve earned your anger,’ Alessio rasped, his finger stroking my cheek.

‘Damn right I have,’ I growled. ‘But I’ve worked hard not to let it poison me by isolating myself to heal.’

‘And have you healed?’ He murmured.

‘I’m getting close,’ I told him, facing him. ‘You need to know, baby, that for me to love and trust you means you need to see me for everything I am. To recognize the façade of quiet calm I put on for the world is nothing more than a mask. The question is: Will you want to know and love it all? My flaws, my past, my shit?’

I raised my face in defiance, daring him, my heart pounding as his eyes narrowed in contemplation, never leaving my face.’

His hand moved to cradle my chin. ‘Here’s a question for you: Will you love me all with my kinks, my resting badass face, my morally gray sins, and my gruffness?’

He had a point.

‘Cara, we’re both broken to some degree,’ he rumbled in his deep timbre. ‘We both, unfortunately, or fortunately, carry the bullshit of our fucked up past. This means we understand each other more than anyone else would, making us each other’s haven, our safe space. Will you trust that united and on the same team, we’ll make sure Franco pays for everything he’s done to you and countless others?’

I gave him a long look. ‘Only if we do it by the book. Nomore secrets, no more going it alone.’

‘Fuck yeah, we’re doing it together, and secret-free,’ he grunted, pulling me into his arms and holding me close once more.

Chapter 25

CLEO

We drove back to the cabin with hands entwined.

Sunset serenaded us all the way home.

We arrived ready to call it a day, yet we still needed to unpack my truck and put away all the shopping and supplies.

Half an hour later, Alessio glanced at me as he closed the door of the supply shed.

‘I don’t know about you,’ he rasped, ‘but I need a shower.’

Sweat trickled between my boobs, and I nodded. ‘I’m with you.’

‘Is that right, bella, with me?

His eyes twinkled at his deliberate misunderstanding.

Gazing at him, the day’s emotion overwhelmed me.

I reached a hand for his cheek, thumbing and stroking his beard and jawline, which I adored. ‘Si, baby, with you.’

His eyes glittered as he got the memo.

‘You’re on protection?’ he growled.

I assented. ‘I’m on the pill. It’s the best way to manage here on the farm as I can’t have much downtime and I’ve got a history of bad cramps.’

‘Scusa, bella, sorry to hear.’

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