Page 46 of The Temptation

Of not being the centre of her world in that moment.

It’s an emotion I’ve never felt before. It’s completely unfamiliar to me. As a kid, I sometimes envied my friends for the things they had, but I never felt even the smallest amount of jealousy when it came to a woman.

I despise the part of me that continuously lashes out instead of speaking up. The part that keeps pushing her away when all I want to do is pull her closer.

Lucia’s books were bad enough, but at least with them, her only visual was something she had to conjure up in her head.

That movie, though …

She’s lucky I didn’t put a bullet right through the television screen, because that’s what I wanted to do.

I didn’t want her comparing me to anyone else.

Hell, I didn’t want her looking at anyone else.

That part scared me more than I’d ever admit.

I’ve never felt so possessive over anyone before and never cared this much about being someone’s …only. But with her, it’s different. It’s raw. It’s uncontrollable.

Sergio winds down the driver’s-side window as I approach. “You got what I need?”

“It’s right here,” he says, reaching over to the passenger seat and grabbing the shopping bag that is sitting there. “I never picked you as much of a reader.”

“I’m not,” I grumble.

“Ah, I see,è per la bella dentro(It’s for the beauty inside)?”

My lips form a thin line when he refers to Lucia asthe beauty. He’s not wrong, she is, but hearing it from someone else scratches at something sharp inside me.

“Do you have a fucking death wish?” I growl, snatching the bag from his hand.

My reaction has his eyebrows jumping in surprise. “You don’t think she’s a beauty?”

She’s a fucking goddess, and more importantly, she’smine, but I keep that to myself. The biggest question is how does he know she’s a beauty? My men may be calling by often, but I’ve made sure to keep her from their prying eyes.

“How do you even know what she looks like?”

My question makes him frown, as if it’s obvious. “I saw her at the Don’s house on New Year’s Eve.”

“Hmm,” I hum, remembering all theFamigliawere there. “Well, you should be more careful with your words next time. Admiration can sound a lot like intention … and I don’t take kindly to either.”

He holds up his hands defensively. “No intentions, boss. I simply have eyes; any fool can see she’s beautiful.”

My jaw ticks as I turn my face away and try to rein in my anger before I do something stupid, like knock him the fuck out for stating the obvious. “You won’t have eyes if I rip them out of your head,” I grumble.

Fuck, the way I’m feeling right now is unsettling.

“Holy shit, you like her?!” It’s a question, but it comes out more like a statement.

My murderous gaze snaps back to him because I hate that he can see straight through me. “Did you make sure you weren’t followed here?”

“Of course, boss.”

“Good, now fuck off,” I say as I turn and stalk back towards the house.

I wait until Lucia sets down our food and takes her seat at the table before reaching for the box beside me. Without a word, I slide it across to her.

She’s still pissed and hasn’t looked at me once since I entered the kitchen.