Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Getting hot, I take off my sweater and fold it neatly before placing it on a stool. I adjust my T-shirt and clean the kitchen as much as possible while making sure the food doesn’t burn.
Movement catches my eye, and the instant my sight lands on Augusto, I freeze.
For an intense moment, we stare at each other, then he says, “Something smells nice.”
“Dinner,” I whisper as I look at the man I married three weeks ago.
Slowly, he comes into the kitchen, his eyes drifting over the length of my body. “How do you feel?”
“Better.” I swallow hard when he stops close enough to touch me.
Nervous, I glance at the simmering meatballs, and not able to keep an eye on them, I switch off the stove.
“You look good, Yuki,” Augusto says, and my eyes fly back to his face.
My breaths begin to speed up as I whisper, “Thank you.”
He tilts his head, and it feels as if he’s trying to look deep into my soul. “Are you going to have dinner with me?”
I nod, and unable to stand still for a second longer, I dart past him to get to the cupboard containing the plates. It’s a bit high, and as I stand on my tiptoes, Augusto’s arm suddenly appears next to me. I yank away and dart to the side to put some distance between us.
With his eyes on me, he takes two plates out and sets them down on the counter. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Everything feels tense as I nod and reach for the plates. I’m constantly aware of Augusto as I dish up some of the spaghetti and meatballs.
Remembering the Parmesan cheese, I hurry to the fridge, and when I don’t find any, my teeth worry my bottom lip.
“What are you looking for?” Augusto asks as he takes a seat at the island.
“Parmesan. I was taught it always goes over spaghetti and meatballs.”
“I’ll make sure to get some.” He looks at the tea set in the middle of the island and asks, “Do you like it?”
“Very much. Thank you.”
I watch as Augusto pulls my plate closer to where he’s seated before gesturing at the stool beside him.
There’s a sinking feeling in my stomach when I take a seat, my body tensing from being so close to him.
“Thank you for making dinner,” he says, taking a bite.
This will be the first time I’m allowed to eat the food I prepared. Cutting into a meatball, my gaze flits to Augusto, and when I see satisfaction on his face, there’s a weird sensation in my chest.
Pride?
I take a bite, and as the flavors burst over my tongue, my eyes widen. It tastes so good, I can’t stop a smile from tugging at my lips.
“The food is delicious,” Augusto says, then his eyes lock on my face, and his features tighten with surprise. “Jesus, Yuki. You’re beautiful when you smile.”
For the first time in my life, a man looks at me with admiration, and I don’t know how to react. Yutaro never taught me how to respond in this situation.
Even though I’m apprehensive around Augusto and unsure of what to do, I can’t help feeling flattered, and it has my face warming.
The corner of his mouth lifts, and his eyes soften on me as if my cheeks turning pink is pleasing to him.
“Eat your food, Yuki. It’s getting cold,” he murmurs, his tone gentle.
Doing as I’m told, I continue to eat while wondering about this gentle side of Augusto. I’ve seen how well he treats his mother.
Before I can stop it, a tiny seed of hope sprouts in my heart.
Maybe if I keep pleasing Augusto, he won’t hurt me.
Chapter 16
Augusto
Even though Yuki is still tense around me, I’m taking the beautiful smile as one hell of a win.
I’ve been busy with work and training Riccardo. Right now, he’s working at Vitale Health as the acting CEO. The company mainly supplies medical equipment.
I’m dealing with the money laundering and counterfeit notes side of the business, as well as transporting weapons for the Cosa Nostra.
Mom’s been keeping me up to date with everything concerning Yuki, and now that she’s better, I feel it’s time for her to meet the guards.
I have six stationed around the house at all times, but I’ve told them to stay out of Yuki’s way so they don’t frighten her.
Once we’re done with the meal, I tell her, “Thank you for having dinner with me. I enjoyed it.”
As she clears the plates, she mentions, “Your mom gave me a list of dishes you like. I’ll show them to you, and if you want to add anything, just let me know.” She sounds nervous as she flutters around the kitchen. “Also, tell me what you don’t like to eat.”
“I’ll eat anything but fish and broccoli.”
She nods, and when she’s done loading the dishwasher, she asks, “Can I get you anything to drink?”