Buttons and Grace Read online

  He moved his arm over the back of the couch, and his hand slid into my hair, gently touching me behind the ear.

  “And then you did the unthinkable…you rescued me. I never expected you to do that. When you dropped me off, I thought that was the last time I would ever see you. I pictured your face during the most difficult times because it made things easier. When you took me away from there, I had no words to describe your heroism. You gave up everything just to free me. You killed all his men and broke the chains around my ankle. You gave me a new start when I didn’t think I’d ever have one. I thought I would die in that place, but you gave me new life. I’ll never be able to thank you for doing that for me. I’m not sure what I did to deserve your affection. I’m a victim of rape and kidnapping—”

  “You aren’t a victim. You’re a survivor. Don’t look at yourself that way—I don’t.”

  My eyes softened at the sweet words. “But still…I’m not exactly the ideal woman.”

  “I’ve never wanted ideal. I never knew what I wanted until I found you.”

  Now my heart softened, wilting like a plucked rose.

  “What do you feel now?” he pressed. “After what I’ve done to you.” It was the first time he looked away, like he was ashamed.

  “I don’t think less of you. I knew that wasn’t the real you. I’ve seen your soul before, and that wasn’t it.”

  He closed his eyes for a few seconds before he opened them again.

  “I know I’ll miss you when I leave, Cane. I know I’ll think about you all the time. But I can’t give up my life to stay here. Everything I’ve ever known has been left behind. If I do stay…Tristan wins. I was happy in South Carolina. I had my parents, friends, school…”

  He shifted his gaze to the floor.

  “I can’t give all that up when I was never meant to leave. I was supposed to have a different destiny.”

  He didn’t get angry like he did last time. He stayed exactly the same, quiet and somber. “You’re sure you don’t love me?”

  The question hung in the air between us, making me feel sick all the way to my stomach. Something was burning at me from the inside, making me feel faint and weak. My lips could barely move. I wasn’t sure if I could answer. “If I let myself love you, I’ll never go back…and I have to go back.”

  He turned back to me, his eyes narrowing. “So you do love me…you just don’t want to.”

  I refused to answer the question, to let the words fill the space between us. Once I did, there was no going back. If I stayed with Cane, I would never know what my life would have been like. Would I have met a nice guy who would be soft and gentle with me? Would I finally teach in a classroom and make an impact on young minds? If I hadn’t been taken, where would I be right now? “As comfortable as it is here, I know it’s not where I belong.”

  * * *

  I washed my face in the bathroom then retreated to my private room where all my things were. I had my own TV, a fireplace, and more space than necessary. Cane and I hadn’t spoken since our intense conversation, and I’d stayed away from him. I couldn’t tell if he was mad, hurt, or simply indifferent.

  He came down the hall and knocked on my open door. He was in just his boxers, over six feet of muscle and man. He was barefoot and bare-chested, sexy and chiseled. Sometimes I wasn’t sure if his face was more handsome than his body, or if it was the other way around. He was perfect. “You’re welcome to sleep with me…if you’d like.”

  I was sitting on the bed with my legs crossed. His baggy shirt was loose over my shoulders, and my hair was smooth because I’d just brushed it after washing my face. My makeup was gone, so my face was washed out. “Do you want me to sleep with you?”

  He leaned against the doorway, crossing his muscular arms over his chest. “Would I have asked if I didn’t?”

  “No…probably not.”

  “Then the ball is in your court.” He left the door open and walked away.

  I didn’t like sleeping alone. I’d been sleeping alone my whole life and I used to like it, but after Cane and I shared a bed for a month, it was impossible to go back. I relied on his breathing like a sleeping pill. He protected me from my nightmares with his powerful presence. He could even guard me from my own subconscious.

  It didn’t take me long to find my answer.

  I joined him in his bedroom, seeing the fire in the hearth and the beautiful man in the bed. The sheets were bunched around his waist as he looked at his phone. The light from the screen lit up his face as one of his arms was tucked beneath his head.

  I got into bed beside him and pulled the sheets to my shoulder.

  He set the phone on the nightstand then turned to me. “I was hoping you would come.”

  “I like sleeping with you.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah. I always sleep better.”

  He turned over in bed and faced me, his body staying on his side of the bed. “I sleep better too.”

  * * *

  I looked into his eyes and saw him look back at me. When it was just the two of us, his expression wasn’t so hard. He didn’t seem like the solider that killed every man in his path just to get to me. He didn’t seem like the ruthless barbarian that would do whatever he wanted until he got his way. He was just a man.

  “I never apologized to you…”

  “You don’t need to apologize, Cane.”

  “I think otherwise.”

  “You’ve done so much for me…you’ve earned a pass.”

  The corner of his mouth rose in a smile. “A pass, huh?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I wish my brother would give me one of those. Never does.”

  “Family is different. You’re always forgiven, but you’re always teased, too.”

  “True.”

  My hand slid across the sheets until I found his. My fingers explored the veins over his knuckles as they extended up his forearms. I loved the way his arms were sculpted. He was just muscle and bone, nothing else.

  “When do you want to leave?”

  The sudden question made me flinch. “I don’t know…”

  “It’s up to you. I can book your flight whenever you want.”

  “You won’t come with me?”

  “I don’t see why I would. It’s not like your parents will be thrilled to see me.”

  “They don’t hate you.”

  “They don’t like me either. And they shouldn’t like me.” He pulled his hand away and propped himself on his elbow. His hand snaked across the bed until he touched my thigh. His fingers tested my reaction, seeing if I wanted him or not.

  My legs parted, giving him access between my legs.

  His fingers slowly moved up until he reached my panties. He pulled aside my thong and pressed his thumb directly against my clitoris.

  It made me gasp quietly.

  He rubbed it gently, igniting the tenderness between my legs. The stimulation immediately made my mouth dry, made my back arch in pleasure. He touched me in just the right ways, making me shift and move.

  I pulled my thong down my legs under the sheets and kicked it away so he would have access to all of me.

  Two fingers slipped inside me, and he kept his thumb against my clitoris. He fingered me, feeling my channel become soaked from his touch. My breathing escalated, and my nipples turned hard like rocks.

  He moved closer to me on the bed then leaned down to kiss me. His kiss was soft and wet, full of the passion he used to show me. His mouth guided mine, and he breathed into me, giving me his breath and taking mine away.

  One of my hands snaked into his hair while the other wrapped around his neck. My legs were completely open to him now, so he could touch me whatever way he wanted. His thumb excited my clit further, pressing harder and harder until my hips started to buck.

  I was just about to come. All I needed were a few more minutes. But I didn’t want to come because of his hand. I wanted to come because his thick dick was inside me, making love to me like we
used to every single night. “Cane…make love to me.” I spoke between his kisses, my eyes closed and my nails digging deep.

  He kicked his boxers off then rolled his body on top of mine. My thighs were pushed back by his, and he slid inside me, pushing through my wet tightness until he was completely sheathed.

  That was all I needed. I was already going to come. After a few thrusts, I clawed at his back and exploded around his dick, coming like I never had before. It was so powerful I forgot to breathe. I forgot everything in the world. All I thought about was the unbridled passion between us.

  When I was finished, he smiled down at me. “That didn’t take long.”

  My arms hooked around his neck, and I locked my ankles behind his back. “I’m sure it won’t take long to do it again either.”

  Chapter 16

  Cane

  When I got off the phone with the soil specialist, I called Crow.

  “Yes?”

  “Uh, hi. Bitchy today?”

  “I can’t get Button in to see the doctor until tomorrow. Apparently, a hundred grand doesn’t mean shit to him.”

  “Is she okay?” I blurted. “Why does she need to see a doctor?”

  “Because she’s pregnant—idiot.”

  “And that can’t wait another day? Idiot.”

  “You know me, Cane. I’m paranoid about a lot of things.”

  “Crow, there’s nothing to be paranoid about. She’s, like, a month along. Nothing significant could happen in that amount of time.”

  “Until a doctor tells me everything is good, I’ll be thinking about it.”

  “Then why didn’t you take her sooner?”

  “In case you’ve forgotten, my ribs were broken, and I couldn’t walk.”

  “She could have gone by herself.”

  “I want to be there,” he snapped. “This is my kid. I want to be there for everything.”

  I’d probably be the same way if I were in his shoes. “Then tomorrow isn’t far away. Just chill.”

  “Why are you calling?” he blurted.

  “I heard back from the soil specialist. He said the nitrogen is perfect, and the soil contains the perfect moisture levels. It’s packed with other minerals too. So I’m going to close this deal unless you have a problem with it.”

  “What happened with Adelina?”

  I sat back against my chair in my office. “What does she have to do with this?”

  “When I tell Pearl I talked to you, she’s gonna ask me. I need this information so I have something to relay back to her. What happened?”

  “She and I are fine. Let’s move on.”

  “No, I need more than that. Are you letting the woman go?”

  I didn’t want her to leave, but it wasn’t right for me to make her stay. Maybe when she returned home, she would understand she’d outgrown the place. She wasn’t the same person, so the place would never feel like home again. “Yes.”

  “Good. I’m glad you stopped being a dictator.”

  “Again, you’re one to talk.”

  “Not the same thing.”

  “I disagree,” I said. “So, are we moving forward on this property? I just need to know you’re on board. I’ll head down and take care of everything since I know you’re busy.”

  “I think we should move forward.”

  “Awesome. I’ll let you know how it goes.” I hung up then left the office.

  Adelina was in the living room reading. She watched me grab my keys and wallet from the table. “Are you leaving?”

  “Yeah. Need to take care of business.”

  “When will you be back?”

  I shoved my phone into my pocket. “A few hours. I’m buying that piece of land Crow and I talked about.”

  “Oh…can I come along?”

  I grinned. “Why? Because you’ll miss me?”

  She smiled. “Would you judge me if I said yes?”

  “No judgments, Bellissima.”

  * * *

  We had dinner on the terrace then retired to my bedroom on the top floor. The master was big with its own living room, bedroom, and an enormous bathroom. It was too big for two people. And it was far too big for one person.

  We got into bed, and once our bodies were naked between the sheets, I was in between her legs. I was on top because I didn’t want her any other way. I loved watching her lips tremble when I touched her in just the perfect way. I loved feeling how wet she was as I ground against her. She had the most perfect tits, and I loved watching them shake as I thrust.

  I wasn’t in the mood to fuck. Just to make love.

  Making her come was the easiest thing in the world. She was receptive, sexual, and immensely attracted to me. She didn’t think about the horrible things Tristan and his men did to her. When I was buried inside her, she only thought about me.

  And she knew I would never hurt her.

  I came inside her before I rolled off her, suddenly feeling depressed once we were done. My time with her was limited. Any day now, she would ask me to buy her a one-way ticket back home. My bed would be empty, and within a few weeks, her smell would disappear from my home.

  And I would be alone.

  I’d pick up women in Florence to fight the loneliness.

  I’d think of Adelina as I fucked them.

  And once enough time passed and I finally stopped thinking about Adelina, maybe I would try to find someone that I could share my life with. Being with Adelina made me realize that was exactly what I wanted—if I found the right person.

  I wanted what Crow had.

  I wanted a woman.

  I wanted a family.

  I wanted it to be Adelina—but I might not get my way.

  A part of me believed she would return home and realize it wasn’t the same anymore. She was too different, and everyone viewed her differently. They would view her as the victim, the person who’d been raped by a gang of thugs. She believed her life would be a fairy tale and Prince Charming would sweep her off her feet. But there was no Prince Charming.

  The only man who would risk his life to save hers was me—and I already did.

  But she had to realize it on her own.

  And I had to hope that she came back to me.

  I understood her stubbornness. I hadn’t wanted to return Adelina to Tristan, but I did it anyway because I couldn’t go back on my word. If Adelina never returned home to be with her friends and family, she would be betraying them. She wasn’t selfish—and I respected that.

  Adelina lay against me, her hand on my chest. She was curled into my side, her hair all over my chest and shoulder. I loved the way she smelled, especially when she smelled like me. Her eyes were closed, and she tucked her leg in between mine.

  I looked at the ceiling as I ran my fingers through her hair. I paid attention to the way she breathed, the way her chest rose and fell at a soft rate. Her eyelashes were dark and thick, hiding those beautiful eyes when she looked down. Her tits were soft against my chest. I loved caressing them with my fingertips and my lips.

  She must have felt me staring at her because she opened her eyes and looked into my face. The gentle glow from the fire made her features visible. Without makeup and with swollen lips, she looked like the most beautiful thing in the world. “I think I should be getting home soon…”

  My fingers halted in her strands, but I kept my expression the same. I knew she was wary of my reaction—not that I could blame her. “Pick a date.”

  “The longer I wait, the more my parents will suffer…and Lizzie’s.”

  “I understand.”

  Chapter 17

  Crow

  “So, they’re both okay?” I stared at the doctor, the most revered obstetrician in Europe. I flew Button all the way to France, a two-hour plane ride, just to see him. I wasn’t letting her see anyone unless they were the best in the business. We’d have to make arrangements for when Button was ready to deliver. “Both healthy?”

  “Based off of everything I’ve seen, they’re both
in great shape.”

  Button was still lying on the table in her gown, so I rested my hand on top of her stomach and felt the relief wash over me. All the stress of the past month hadn’t harmed Little Barsetti. She’d told me she was pregnant in the middle of the storm, and all I could do was get both of them out of harm’s way. But there had been nothing I could do to limit her distress. “I’m glad to hear that.”

  The doctor shook my hand before he stepped out of the room. “You’re going to be a great father, Mr. Barsetti. I have a lot of concerned parents come into this room, but you lapped them by a mile.” He smiled before he left.

  Button was trying not to laugh. “If only he knew…”

  I lifted up her gown and pressed a kiss to her belly, which was still flat. “Now I’ve got two people to look after. Stresses me out.”

  “Nothing to stress out about, Crow. This pregnancy will be boring. I’ll get uncomfortable at the end and demand you retrieve me ice cream, but that’s the worst of it.”

  “I hope so.”

  After she got dressed, we boarded my private plane and returned to Florence. It was a short trip when we cut out security. We landed in Florence, and I drove us back to the estate we both called home.

  We walked inside and were greeted by Lars.

  “How was the trip, Your Grace?” Lars retrieved my coat and hung it up by the door.

  “Good,” Button answered. “The baby is doing great. We won’t know if it’s a boy or a girl for a while, but they’re healthy.”

  “That’s great to hear,” Lars said. “Lunch?”

  “I’m starving,” Button blurted as she rubbed her stomach.

  “I could eat,” I said simply.

  “Great. Mr. Barsetti is waiting in the dining room for you. I thought you could sit down to lunch together.” Lars gave a slight bow before he walked away.