Page 81 of Nicoli

Nicoli slides a security card through the door lock, and a beep sounds before the door clicks open.

His large frame towers in front of me, and I try to peek past him. “Are there people here?”

“Just one.”

He turns to face me, and I can feel the intensity ripple off him. He’s nervous, every muscle tight.

“Nicoli, what’s wrong?”

His brows are furrowed, his lips pulled tight like he’s biting the inside of his cheek. “Give me your hand.”

“What? Why?”

“Will you shut up and just give me your hand? Please.”

Nicoli hardly ever says please, and when he does, it usually scares the crap out of me because that means we’re about to cross over to deep and emotional territory.

I swallow and give him my hand, his palm warm against my skin.

I watch intently as he reaches into his pants pocket, pulling out the white ribbon.Ourwhite ribbon.

We’re both silent as he wraps it around my wedding finger, tying the bow on the top. “I need you to wear this tonight.”

“Why?”

“Because I need to see it on your finger, or I might lose my fucking mind.”

“What is happening right now?”

His gaze cuts to mine, and his blue eyes floor me, crystal swirls that always manage to take my breath away.

His shoulders rise as he takes a breath. “I love you, Hummingbird. I always have. But I have hurt you so many times, too many times, and it kills me.”

“Nicoli—”

“Shhh. Let me finish.”

“I don’t like—”

“Woman, I will duct tape your mouth shut. Don’t test me.”

I zip my lip.

He shifts from one leg to the other, his thumb delicately brushing along the ribbon around my finger. “I was a dick to you, Mira. I robbed you of so many things because I was all fucked up over you. I couldn’t stand the thought of you being with anyone else even though I didn’t have the balls to take you for myself.”

“Are you referring to the guys who somehow magically ended up in the ER before my dates with them?”

He grimaces. “Among other things.”

“Nicoli!”

“My point is, I played God when it came to you, and you had to go all the way to Tuscany to have a taste of life because I didn’t allow you to have it here.”

My gut clenches.

“And tonight is me trying to make up for it.” Something dark gleams in his gaze.

“What’s happening tonight?” Now I’m nervous, and my palm is getting all sweaty.

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