Page 107 of An Inconvenient Marriage
“I still don’t know how that fucking piece of shit stole her from my father.”
I’d caught glimpses of his hurt when he’d told me about his mother, but the emotions flitting over his beautiful face right now ran so much deeper than the hurt because of a loss of a parent. He was furious.
And if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was ready to commit murder.
This time, it was my turn to invade his space. Stepping forward, I wrapped my arms around him and pressed the side of my face into his chest. “I’m sorry you lost him, too.”
My heart squeezed when he immediately dragged me even closer to him and held me tight. He blew out a long breath, then rested his chin on top of my head.
“He couldn’t live without her. His heart gave in not even a year later. The death certificate says it was a heart attack, but I believe he died of a broken heart.”
Drawing back, I stared into his eyes. “I know it sounds stupid, but I want to cry for the young boys who lost so much. It’s not fair.”
“Mi diosa.” The endearment came out strained. “Your heart is so big, so pure.” His thumb grazed over my bottom lip. “I wish I could keep you.”
He’d said it so softly I didn’t think I was supposed to hear it.
But I did.
My already frazzled mind spun in circles, around and around until I didn’t know where was up and where was down. Dazed and confused, I barely registered the feel of his mouth on mine.
And when he grabbed my hand and said, “Let’s go home,” I followed him like a puppy followed its owner.
I wish I could keep you. The words rolled around inside my head from the casino to the car and on the entire drive over to Zach’s place. It was only when we stopped in front of a black wrought-iron gate that I somewhat snapped out of my daze.
My gaze flicked to his side of the car just in time to see him open his visor. He pressed a button, and the gates immediately creaked apart and welcomed us in. His driveway was long, and the slow ascent to the main house gave me some time to look around.
And although the place was scarcely lit up, it was impossible not to appreciate its beauty.
A carpet of green stretched as far as the eye could see with enormous trees shadowing the pebble stone driveway that led to the house. Unlike the Castilla which was like something out of the past, this building was sleek and modern.
From what I could see, the entire front was made up of floor-to-ceiling windows with slender white pillars connecting them. And exactly like the one in Spain, no one from the outside could see in.
Zach had magnificent taste and a love for fountains, I thought, when I spotted yet another one next to the door. This one was of a naked Aphrodite tipping out the contents of her vase.
I turned around and wasn’t at all surprised to find Zach leaning against a pillar, already watching me.
Lifting my lips into a smile, I jerked my head toward Aphrodite.
“You have a thing for fountains.”
He straightened and shoved his hands into his pockets. Slow determined strides brought him closer until he was right in front of me. “Fuente means fountain.”
“Ah.”
He rolled his lip over his teeth, and his gaze bored into mine. “Ready to go inside?”
“Yes.” Goodness, why did I sound so breathy suddenly?
Those dark eyes stayed on me for a few more seconds before he finally gave me room to breathe and opened the door. With a slight tilt of his head, he motioned for me to go in front of him.
“Welcome home.”
His murmured words rolled over my skin and took up residence inside my stupid heart. And because I couldn’t afford to dwell on it for even a second, I focused on the interior instead.
Which, of course, looked like something straight out of a design magazine.
The space was all open plan with modern, clean lines and walls of glass that offered views to the outside from every direction. And yet it was so simplistic, too. The living room held one white L-shaped couch with different shades of gray scatter cushions.
