Page 54 of Capri

“I needed that reminder,” I tell her, thankful for her taking the time to offer sound advice. “It may take me a while to fully grasp it, but I needed to hear it.”

Capri smiles. “From what I can see, you seem like you’re doing a great job, Jones. You should be so proud of yourself. I know it doesn’t mean much coming from me, but I’m impressed. I’m sure your dad would be, too.”

The sinking feeling I get when talking about him will never go away, but maybe accepting the outcome of our strained relationship will help. The fact is, my father is gone, and nothing will bring him back.

I can use that to be a driving force. To make Archer Chartering something I’m even more proud of, while still giving my mother the best possible care and enjoying what I do at the same time.

I know it’s possible. I just needed someone to tell me.

“Thank you, Capri. You’ll never know how much your listening has helped me. I feel less shitty now.” I chuckle.

“Good.” She smiles brightly. “And if you ever need to talk again…in the next four days…I’m your girl.”

I grin and it’s so damn cheesy, it feels fake. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

14

JONES

My hips are sore.Hell, I think even my dick is at this point.

It’s been two days since the day in my penthouse with Capri and we’ve been fucking like rabbits everywhere since.

In the cellar room at Acri Rosso Vineyards.

Behind the little café off Cavour Street.

And multiple times with her spread across my office desk.

We can’t get enough of each other, using every waking moment to get closer.

After our cleaning and my venting, it didn’t take long before we were ready to quit the heart-to-heart and take advantage of our privacy.

I fulfilled my promise of dirtying her up—in more ways than one.

I think my dick has seen enough action to last me the next ten years.

I feel fucking invincible. Like I’ll survive the end of our arrangement perfectly fine. I did berate myself a little bit after she left because we failed to follow through with our plan to not share anything personal. She caught me at a weak moment, and I can’t find it in me to regret it.

It feels like a weight has been lifted.

Capri leaves in less than two days, our time together coming to a close.

Other than that one talk, we’ve steered clear of anything deeply personal again except for vague things here and there to keep the conversation easy.

I did my best to shift my schedule around to make room for Capri. Romeo and Luca have stepped in for me as needed. Today, however, is the one day I couldn’t escape from work, no matter how hard I tried.

My day is jam packed with supply meetings this morning and another with my financial planner, setting the business up for Romeo and Luca to run while I’m in the States for three months.

I’m in my home office, reviewing all the scheduled charters for the next couple of months. My goal is to cap us at the current amount we’re at to release any strain on the staff in my absence.

I rake my hands through my hair and take a deep breath. Underneath my chilled exposure, I’m tired and stressed.

It’s difficult to care for my mother while I’m halfway across the world. I’m constantly debating whether I should move back home and sell my father’s company or move my mother here.

Unfortunately, her disease makes it difficult to change plans. When dementia patients are already far advanced in stage, removing them from their safe environment does nothing to help them.

It only makes it more difficult and confusing.

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