Page 124 of Someone Exactly Like Me (Wounded Hearts 1)
26
Nicco
I wake up before Destiny. She lies sleeping on my chest, her arm around my body, her leg slung between mine.
I’m doing work I love, my career is moving forward, I have more money in my bank account than I ever dreamed possible, and I have the most incredible woman lying by my side, in my arms. I’m so grateful for my life right now.
She stirs, squeezing me, and releases an adorable yawn. “Good morning,” she says, looking up at me.
“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
“I did. You?”
“I did.” I kiss her forehead. “For today, I was thinking I could take you out on Marco’s boat for a few hours. We can decide the rest of the day later. How does that sound?”
“Sounds like a fun way to start the day,” she says, sitting up and smiling.
“Great. Let’s eat and get showered.”
“Mmm, yes, food. I’m hungry.”
“Me too.” I roll her onto her back, climbing on top of her with my legs between hers. “You took a lot out of me last night.” Leaning down, I kiss her lips, giving her a quick little thrust of my pelvis.
She whimpers. The sound makes me want to have her again, right now.
Her stomach growls, I lift my lips from hers and raise my eyebrows. “Okay, okay. I’ll feed you.”
We laugh and get out of bed. When we go out to the kitchen, Angelia lets me know I had a delivery. Taking the small, burgundy velvet box off the island, I open it toward Destiny.
Her hands raise quickly, covering her mouth as she gasps, staring into the box. “The locket.” She looks up at me with her big blue eyes.
“Open it.”
Taking the locket out of the box, she opens it and reads the inscription. “I believe in you,” she says, whisper soft. Her gaze oscillates between me and the locket. Then she wraps her arms around my neck.
I wrap mine around her tiny body. God, I love holding her.
“Thank you,” she says softly in my ear.
“You’re welcome, mia dolce ragazza.” I don’t want to let go.
With Angelina’s eyes on us, we release each other. After breakfast, we shower, and I wait for her on the veranda.
As I’m waiting, Gigi slinks across the terracotta tiled floor, her heels clacking with each step. She’s holding a large envelope in her hands.What’s she doing here?
I stand to greet her. “Gigi, what brings you here? I wasn’t expecting you.”
Approaching me with her arms extended, she grabs my hands, leans to my left and kisses my cheek, then leans to my right for a second kiss. “If you would’ve called me last night, this wouldn’t be a surprise. Mamma said you’d come to stay with Marco for a few days.”
“Yes, I’m here with Destiny.”
“The little blonde woman?” she sneers, turning up her nose and rolling her eyes. “What’sshedoing here?”
She’s such a brat. “Gigi, what do you want?”
“I don’t like the way I look in these.” She shoves the envelope at me as she pouts like a child. “I’m sure if I talk to Silvia, she’ll approve a reshoot.” Pulling a chair out from under the table, she faces it toward the chair I was in. She sits down, crossing her long, tanned legs that are completely exposed due to the high center-slit of her black dress. “I can see if Nima is available to do the shoot.”
Sitting back down in my chair, I open the envelop and flip through the proofs. “I don’t see anything wrong with these Gigi. I think you’re being too picky.” I do my best to not sound condescending, although I think she’s being ridiculous.
