“He said I won’t leave when the time comes…”
“Because he’s not stupid. He’s got you wrapped around his finger.”
“And he’s wrapped around mine.” I knew I could ask Bosco for anything, and he would give it to me. “I made him promise he would never hurt any member of my family. I also made him promise not to threaten them either. He agreed…and even apologized for doing it in the past.”
“Then what’s next?” Vanessa asked. “The only thing to do is come clean about it.”
“I don’t see why I have to. I’ve only been with him for a few months. If I don’t want to introduce him to my family, I don’t have to. I’m not in danger, and I’m free to come and go as I please.”
“Very true,” Vanessa said. “But, secrets never stay secrets. I’m a testament to that. Even if Griffin and I stay quiet, you’ll get caught somehow. Your father will stop by your apartment and realize you’re never there. Your mom will see another text message on your phone, and that will incriminate you. You’ll get caught in one of your lies. Something will catch up to you…it’s only a matter of time.”
“Yeah…maybe. But I don’t know what to do. I’m stuck. Even without the issue of my family, I still don’t see a future with him. That tells me I should leave soon so I won’t have any regrets later down the line.”
“Why don’t you see a future with him?”
“Because I want a marriage and a family, and he’s so devoted to his work I don’t see that happening. The safest place in the world is by his side, but it can also be dangerous. I never would have met The Butcher if I weren’t exposed to that lifestyle. I don’t judge Bosco for what he does for a living, but I want nothing to do with that part of his life. He would never give that up, and he shouldn’t have to give it up either. That’s his whole life.”
Vanessa nodded in agreement. “So it sounds like it can’t work anyway.”
“No…it can’t. As much as I don’t want to say goodbye, I know I have to. If I wait too long, it’ll just be harder. It’ll take longer to get over him. It’ll take longer to find the right man, one who wants the same things I want.”
Vanessa was quiet for a long time, staring at her hands as she considered what she would say next. “I know I should keep my mouth shut, but…have you ever actually asked him?”
“Asked him what?”
“If he would want those things. If he would give up the casino to have those things.”
“No…but I don’t need to. He’s passionate about what he does. I see it written all over his face.”
Vanessa didn’t push it any further. “Then enjoy the rest of your time with him. That’s only three weeks away, so I’m sure our family won’t find out in the meantime.”
“Probably not.” My heart filled with dread as I imagined the moment when I grabbed my bags and walked out. I didn’t want to turn my back on this man, but I had no other choice. We were from different worlds, and no amount of love would change that. “You’ll keep my secret?”
She smiled. “You know I’ll always keep your secret.”
Bosco was in his boxers when I walked through the door, his muscled thighs chiseled from stone. Every single inch of his body was gorgeous, from his beautiful tanned skin to the perfect lines in the grooves between his muscles. Nothing compared to that handsome face, the hard jaw and soft eyes. He was the man of my dreams, the most beautiful man I’d ever had between my legs. Even if I found another man I loved, he still wouldn’t compare to Bosco Roth.
He left the couch and walked up to me, giving me a kiss on the mouth while his large hands cupped the feminine curves of my body. He squeezed me in different places, touching my shoulders then my hips. His mouth continued to move against mine, soft one minute then hard the next.
I wished I could be greeted that way every day for the rest of my life.
He ended the embrace then examined my swollen eye. “Vanessa didn’t think I was responsible, right?”
Actually, she did. “No. I told her what happened.”
His fingertips lightly touched the area. “It’s getting better.” He pressed his soft lips to my injury and kissed it gently, trying to heal me with his love.
I closed my eyes as I enjoyed him, the pain immediately decreasing when his love surrounded me. My fingers explored his chest, feeling his chiseled lines and hard grooves. He was warm to the touch, comforting in comparison to the winter weather outside.
His lips moved to my ear. “Hungry?”