Page 7 of Promise Maker

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I head straight for the office bar the second wearrive. Pouring a glass of Disaronno, I throw the liquor back and fill another.

Fuck.

Seeing Solari in person after so long almost mademe lose it. I never anticipated the overwhelming surge of hunger.

My god. She has truly blossomed.

Curvy. Beautiful as ever, and those auburn eyesare even more intriguing. Sunkissed brown skin is still so radiant andsmooth-looking.

Her pictures online don’t do her enough justice.

Santocazzo!

Holy fuck!

When she stormed up to me, chest rising andfalling fast, I had the desire to throw her over my shoulder, run for thehills, and claim every hole. The urge grew to impeccable heights.

I pour another drink and chug.

“I knew she was the reason why you accompanied meto Bishop’s,” my father remarks, coming over to fill a glass. “No matter hownonchalant you acted.”

“I haven’t thought about her in a while,” I lie tohim. Meanwhile, I stare at her pictures every night.

“You’re a terrible liar,” he rumbles under hisbreath. “Ask your sister for lessons. She’s great at it.”

“Having drinks without me,” Francesca utters,entering the office.

“Speak of the devil, and it shall appear,” Fatherjokes.

She playfully eyeballs him as she struts over topour a glass of wine. “What was that about lessons?”

Father relaxes in his leather chair. “Your brotherneeds them to hide his desire for Solari Brigham.”

“Ah!” She sips a little, then turns to me. “Soyou saw her again at last. How was it?”

“He ignored her. She chased after him. She seemedvery upset.”

I lower to the sofa after pouring more liquor.“She thinks Iplayedher.”

“Well, did you tell her what happened?” my sisterasks, leaning against the bar.

“No.”

She huffs. “Let me help you see it fromSolari’spoint of view,fratellino.You made a promise to her sixteen-year-old heart that she believed and carriedinto adulthood. You made no contact, then showed up after eight years andpretended she doesn’t exist. Well, of course, she’s upset.”

“I thought she would have forgotten by now,” Igrumble, knowing damn well I prayed Solari would never forget me. I hope I’mrooted in her soul, haunting her the way she haunts me.

Francesca tilts her head back and curses inItalian. “Why didn’t you just explain?”

“Because it wouldn’t have mattered.” I down thewhiskey and set the empty glass on the coffee table. “It’s not like I can bewith her. Right, Padre?” I throw him a glare.

He points his index at me. “That wasn’t my wish.Besides, it’s long overdue for you to move on. Angelo has a lovely daughter.Give her a chance.”

“Nograzie.” Annoyed, Ipush from the sofa. “I’m not interested in that ditz.” I walk to the window to lookout at the massive backyard, wishing I could be with Solari right now.

“You have to start thinking about your future,”Father persists. “You’ll take over one day, and you’ll need a wife to carry onthe Martelli legacy.”

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