Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Chapter 14
Gabriella
When the closing credits of Safe Haven roll over the screen, I smile at Mrs. Accardi.
“I love the movie.”
“I thought we’d watch it while Adia’s out with Damiano. He doesn’t allow anything with violence near her.”
My curiosity gets the better of me. “May I ask why?”
“Damiano’s father was a bastard,” she says, but before she can continue, Carlo comes into the sitting room.
“Are you done with the movie, Ma?”
“Yes.” Her gaze rests lovingly on her son. “Why?”
“I want to spend some time with you.”
She darts up from the armchair. “I’ll never say no to that.” Waving at me, she says, “Enjoy the rest of your night, cara.”
“You too.”
Once I’m alone in the sitting room, I walk to the shelf and grab the erotic book Mrs. Accardi made me read aloud last week when she played the prank on me.
Sitting down on the armchair again, I curl my legs beneath me and open to chapter two.
My eyes dart over the words, and as I read page after page, my heartbeat speeds up. When I get to a scene where the hero grabs the female lead and kisses the hell out of her, I stop to reread it again and again.
I’ve never been kissed and wonder what my first time will be like.
If I’m forced into an arranged marriage, will my future husband even bother kissing me?
Maybe Damiano will decide to let me go.
And maybe he won’t.
Shutting the book, I let out a sigh as I climb to my feet. I place the book back on the shelf, and feeling a little restless, I walk out of the sitting room.
I haven’t explored much of the mansion. With Mrs. Falco and Mrs. Accardi spending time with their sons, I decide now’s as good a time as any.
Walking through the foyer, I head to the right side, where I find another sitting room that’s decorated with brown leather and books on construction and architecture.
It feels like a man’s space, and I quickly leave to continue exploring.
At the end of the hallway, I walk into a dome-shaped room, and my lips part. There are plants everywhere, and moonlight shines through a glass ceiling.
I don’t bother searching for a light switch because it’s not too dark in the room.
Between potted plants are sofas and walking to the nearest one, I take a seat.
Leaning back, I stare up at the ceiling, a smile spreading over my face.
A peacefulness wraps around me, and I wonder why Mrs. Falco and Mrs. Accardi prefer to read in the sitting room when they could do it here.
Slipping my heels off, I curl my legs beneath me and enjoy the silence.
My body relaxes, but then I hear footsteps, and the peaceful moment shatters.
Just as I dart off the sofa, Damiano stalks into the room.
The moment his eyes lock on me, he stops dead in his tracks.
His voice sounds aggravated as he demands, “What are you doing in here?”
“I wasn’t aware this room was off-limits,” I say.
He walks closer to me, and when he’s within reaching distance, he glances down at my bare feet.
I quickly slide my foot into my shoe, but when I try to put on the other one, I momentarily lose my balance.
My hand automatically darts out and my palm connects with Damiano’s abs. The man is solid beneath my hand, and it makes my abdomen tighten so much I gasp.
Dio. Not again.
I shove my foot into the damn shoe and yank away from him. “Sorry. It was –”
“An accident.” The words rumble from him. “You should consider wearing different shoes.”
Yeah. High heels might get me killed around this man.
But then I realize, he hasn’t lost his temper.
Yet.
“Uhm …” I tilt my head back to make eye contact. “Ah … have a good night.”
Just as I take a step, his hand wraps around my bicep. Instantly, tingles spread over my skin, and my lips part.
“This room isn’t off limits,” he says. “You can stay.”
Oh.
He lets go of me, and I watch as he unbuttons his jacket before taking a seat on the sofa. Tilting his head back, he stares at me.
I can’t make out the expression on his face, and the atmosphere feels much tenser than usual with the room bathed in moonlight.
“Sit, Gabriella,” he orders. He tips his head to the empty space beside him.
A weird mixture of apprehension and anticipation spins in my stomach as I sit down.
My spine is straight, and my body on high alert. I glance at the indoor plants before turning my head and meeting Damiano’s intense gaze.
His eyes shine like dark pools of water, and I feel too unnerved to keep eye contact.
Needing to say something to break the silence, I ask, “Did you enjoy the dinner with your mother?”
He relaxes, and lifting his arm, he rests it on the back of the sofa.