Page 35 of The Italian Reckoning
“Something with chocolate, I think. What’s that pink powder? I’m craving something sweet.”
Bobby rolls his eyes lightly and taps the container holding the pink powder. “Ruby hot chocolate?”
“Ooh, yes, please.”
He sets to work making my drink but keeps one eye on me as I rest against the counter. “No work?”
“Not today. Boss is forcing me to take some time off.”
Bobby pauses his whisking of the milk. “Really?”
“Yeah. Says I need a break. Maybe he’s right.” Glancing out the window, my heart sinks a little to see nothing but an empty road. Was I looking for my mystery biker? Maybe. Yesterday feels like some kind of dream, but I also had the best sleep I’ve had in weeks. I still don’t know what came over me. I’ve never exactly been impulsive, but something about that biker pinning me to the ground ignited something inside me that I didn’t know was there.
And considering how any kind of restraint usually tosses me into a full, desperate panic attack, it’s a wonder I ended up horny.
Is it because he’s faceless and that makes it easy? Because he doesn’t speak much, if at all? It was terribly stupid and reckless to fuck someone in an alleyway across the street, especially someone I don’t know. But at the same time, it was the best sex I’ve ever had. Hearing his soft breaths and moans escape that helmet while I was sucking him off was more arousing than I ever would have expected. And when he fucked me?
My pussy clenches at the thought and warm tingles rush down my arms.
Maybe his mystery is what appeals to me, and the lack of commitment from being around him. Or it’s because when I’m with him, part of my mind just shuts off and I feel like myself again in a way I don’t fully understand. I can enjoy him and I don’t have to deal with the sadness and confusion in his eyes when he sees the scars all over my body.
And if he does look sad, then it doesn’t matter because he’s nothing but a mask.
“Sarah?” Bobby’s slightly irritated voice pulls me out of my daydream.
“Hm?”
“I asked if you wanted cream.”
“Oh, yes. Sorry, I was just thinking.”
“About your case?”
“For once, no. Just some other stuff.”
“Really?” Bobby lifts a brow. “I thought your case was pretty all-consuming these days.”
“It is. I just have something else on my mind, that’s all.”
Bobby’s eyes narrow faintly. “Fine.”
Fine? What does he mean by that?
“Bobby—” Just as I’m about to ask, my phone rings and another flash of annoyance crosses Bobby’s face. Normally, I’d ignore the call since I’m on a forced holiday, but it’s not from Brant. It’s my old captain back in Montana. “I’m sorry, Bobby, I’ve got to take this.”
“Sure.” He sets the drink down in front of me. “Eight dollars.”
Unable to contest the cost since I already know his answer, I toss down enough bills to cover the drink and pick it up while mouthingthank you.
“Hello?”
“Sarah?”
“Arnold! I—wow, I never expected to hear from you again.” Flashing Bobby a smile he ignores, I hurry from the cafe and linger outside so I can hear him better. “You kicked me to New York and I thought that was the end of it.”
“Sarah, I’ve heard some troubling news.”
“Oh?”
