Page 38 of Always You
He exhales, ignoring my protest. “I fucked up big time, hurting you at the restaurant and at the studio. I’m sorry, baby. I thought you left me. It hurt, so I wanted to hurt you, wanted to make you jealous. It was a dick move. What you heard about me not wanting kids? I said it to her because I didn’t want kids with her. Only with you, Mila, I want to be a father to our son. I want to be in his life.” His voice is hoarse and pleading.
I lean back against the brick wall of my townhouse, knitting my brows into a scowl, confused. He broke up with her. He doesn’t love her. He wants Dante in his life. It’s been five years. Closing my eyes, I draw in a lungful of air. He’s watching me with pure adoration, melting every wall I build.
“I don't recognize you anymore, it's been five years. You’ve changed.”
He sets the bag of food down on the porch, then steps closer. His thumb grazes my lips as I take in his spicy, masculine scent. His biceps bulge as I feel my heart quicken. His presence, powerful and commanding, clouds my mind. My pulse speeds at a carnal rate.
“Living this life without you has changed me, Angel; how could it not? I’m not the same person, but my love for you will never change. Any amount of time that has gone by can’t change what I feel.” He leans in, kissing my cheek down to my neck.
Startled, not expecting him to be so sudden, I jolt away from him. This makes him growl with frustration.
He says, “Is it because of him?” A hot surge of jealousy rips across his face. He’s talking about Brian.
“No, Dominic, it has nothing to do with him. You can’t expect to knock on my door and inform me you left the woman you’ve been in a relationship with for who knows how long and expect me to throw myself on you. I’ve spent years thinking you were dead. My son thinks his dad is dead. How am I supposed to explain that to a four-year-old? If you want to be in Dante’s life, I need to be able to trust you. I can’t have you appear in his life only to disappear.” My voice shakes with the violent emotions churning in me.
He runs his hands through his thick, brown hair before slipping them into the pockets of his faded jeans. He tilts his head slightly to the side, revealing a strong jawline and high cheekbones.
I can’t tear my gaze away, the image of him is permanently etched into my mind after all these years. I never thought I’d see him again.
“First off, I only dated Samantha for a year.”
“Only.” I snort.
“Mila, I never lived with her, and she never stayed at my place. I never allowed her to. It wasn’t a normal relationship. It wasn’t like what we had. My heart only belongs to you, beats only for you, always you. Second, I would never disappear from Dante’s life. I will never be like my father.” He runs his finger down my cheek. “Give me a second chance, baby.” He interwinds his fingers with my mine.
I let out a sigh, letting go of his hand to massage my temples.
“Have lunch or dinner with me. Let’s talk and we can catch up; we can do this until you feel comfortable telling Dante about me. I understand you want to protect him.”
I stay silent, thinking if it would be a good idea. I know Dante would love to have him in his life, of course, he would, after all, Dominic is his father.
“Angel, do you still love me?”
My brain fizzles. When lifting my head to glance at him, his eyes are on me. The glare in his eyes sparks like a fire dancing on a dark night. I want to lie so we can move on from each other. The distance between us has been too long, but I can’t do that.
“Yes, I love you. I never stopped loving you. It feels like a dream to know you’re alive.”
He smiles beautifully.
At the same time, I want to choke him until he turns blue.
“I’m sorry, Mila, I’m, fucking sorry, baby, for being such a bastard to you. My bitterness got the best of me. Baby, I’m so goddamn fucking in love with you. I’m wholly unconditionally in love with you,” he rasps, his voice full of emotion.
I choke on a lump lodged in my throat with his confession. When there’s a squeak at the door.
“Mommy, is it the pizza man?” The door cracks open, and Dante’s small nose peeks through.
“No, baby, it’s not. I’ll be right there, okay.”
“Mommy, can you play Spiderman with me?”
“Sure, give me a sec.”
He shuts the door.
I turn to look at Dominic. He raises his chiseled stubbly chin up. With a sly smile. He scratches the back of his neck nervously.
“Baby, you’ve done an amazing job of raising him. He’s lucky to have you as a mother.”
