Page 69 of Someone Exactly Like Me (Wounded Hearts 1)
15
Nicco
The drive along Pacific Coast Highway is magnificent. Though I don’t want to leave early, I’m glad to have these last two days with Destiny.
We check in and go to our suite. The instant we step into it, we both marvel at the luxury surrounding us. Each room we walk into is more lavish than the last.
“This place is bigger than my entire house.” Her excitement is that of a child, making me smile. I’m so happy she came with me.
We both have king-size beds and fireplaces in our rooms, at opposite ends of the suite. Mine even has a sofa in it. The kitchen and living area separate our bedrooms. With all the windows and glass doors, it feels like we’re outside. And the view is spectacular. We go out to the balcony and the ocean spreads for miles below us. The hot tub is deeper than any I’ve ever seen. There’s even a cozy spot for her to sit and write if she wants.
“Are you hungry?” I ask.
“So hungry.”
“Okay. Let’s unpack our things and meet back in the living room. We’ll get a bite to eat and then we can go exploring for a few hours until we’re ready for dinner.”
“Perfect.”
We spend the day enjoying the outdoors and head back to our suite when we’re both hungry again. Being sweaty from our hiking and adventures, we get showers. I’m ready before her and stand on the balcony, smoking a cigarette, soaking in the view.
From behind me, I hear the clicking of heels and turn around. She’s fucking breathtaking. I have to consciously not let my jaw drop open. For a few seconds, I’m speechless, scanning her from head to toe. Her classy black dress hugs her slender frame, accentuating her delicate curves. At the base of her long neck rests a string of diamonds that wraps fully around her neck.
I approach her and stop in front of her. “You’re beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she says quietly, glancing down toward her feet, then back up at me. “You look very handsome.”
“Thank you.” I’ve gone with my signature black suit, black vest, and white shirt. I’m usually told I’m hot. I like the sound of handsome, especially the way she says it.
At the restaurant, we’re seated at a table with another impressive view of the ocean. I order a bottle of Prosecco and we look through the menu. When the waiter comes back with our wine, we place our orders.
I outline the profile of her face as she looks over the water. “Destiny.”
She returns her gaze to me.
“You’re good with words. I’m not as much, especially with English.” I smile. “I don’t know the right words, strong enough words, to thank you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Two weeks ago, I didn’t know you and now, you’ve helped me on the path of making my dreams come true. And you’ve given me so much of your time to show me around. Thank you can’t even begin to express how grateful I am for you.”
The way she smiles at me makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. “You’re so welcome, Nicco. I’m happy I could help you.”
I lift my glass toward her, “Sarai sempre nel mio cuore, mia dolce ragazza.”
“I don’t know what that means.”
“It’s okay, I do.” I nod.
Without pressing me for a translation, she raises her glass toward me. “Cheers.” We clink our glasses together. “I hope you get everything you desire.”
Together we sip our wine and take in the view.
As soon as I speak, her gaze returns to me. “The other day at the beach, you asked me what scares me about being in a relationship and I didn’t want to answer your question.” Still not wanting to answer it, I feel like she deserves an answer. An answer she may not want to hear, but an answer that may help her understand. “I’ll answer it for you, but I don’t want it in the book.”
Intently focused on me, she agrees. “Of course.” She shakes her head.
“What scares me is that I know I’ll never be a good husband or a good dad. So, I don’t bother getting involved in relationships and wasting anyone’s time. It’s not fair to the other person to invest their time, their effort, their heart in something that has no chance of becoming anything.”
Sorrow coats her beautiful eyes as they roam my face. “Why would you say that?”
“Why, isn’t important. It doesn’t matter. It’s what’s true and it’s something I thought you should know.” I look out the window and she doesn’t push me for more.
