I let out a breath and rubbed my temples. “This is worse than I thought.”
He pulled me into his arms. “I wasn’t trying to make you feel like a charity case.”
“I know you weren’t.” I looked up at him. “But I still have to draw a line. I want this relationship to feel like a partnership.”
“Okay,” he said. “So what can you take over,Amore mio?”
I thought for a moment. “I’ll cover my water bill.”
He smiled. “Deal. Should I cancel the credit card I got you?”
“You got me a credit card?”
“Yeah.”
I stared at him. “Jesus, Theo.”
“I just wanted you to have something in case you ever needed it.”
I hesitated. “I mean…if you already got it…”
He laughed, and just like that, all my earlier resolve—the righteous speech about independence and not being taken care of—completely melted.
“Maybe I’ll still take care of you,” he murmured, kissing my forehead. “Just a little.”
I rolled my eyes, fighting back a smile. “Shut up, Theodore.”
Souled Out.
Day Eleven.
There were worse places to be than floating on a yacht in the middle of Lake Como with a woman who was still half-mad at you.
I shaded my eyes against the sun as the boat sliced through glistening water, a soft breeze brushing my shoulders. Carmen stood at the bow, one hand holding that little camcorder, the other a glass of something golden and cold. She spoke into the camera, but her voice was too low for me to catch the words.
The mountains towered around us. The lake rocked the yacht gently. And all I could think was—who could stay mad at someone in a place like this?
That was my logic, at least.
The yacht had been my idea. I booked it after she fell asleep on my chest last night. When I woke her this morning, I told her I had a surprise—told her to dress light, pack an overnight bag, and bring her camera.
No details. Just, “Trust me.”
Ironic, really.
She didn’t say much, but I saw the excitement on her face. She followed, slow and sore, her legs probably still aching from everything we’d…resolved last night.
And honestly?I think I’ve had enough makeup sex for now.
What I really wanted wasI love yousex.
I need yousex.
I’ll-miss-you-when-you’re-ten-thousand-miles-awaysex.
But I didn’t know how to get us back to that place yet.
She turned and glanced over her shoulder at me, eyes narrowed against the sun. “You okay?”
