Page 111 of The Man with a Treasure

Yes, they were, but… “I—” My eyes closed. Hard. I needed to block out the sight that I wanted to see for the rest of my days. “I can’t.”

But not even closed eyes could block out what Scarlett demanded. “You can!” Soft hands suddenly had hold of my face and yanked me to her. Luscious lips slammed to mine. My stomach instantly tightened with an ache and desperate need for this creature.

“Claim your man!” practically applauded Sal from the kitchen.

I wanted her. I wanted her to know how much she already owned me, but her wellbeing was so much more important than mine. Scarlett would be crushed if this affair got me killed. So, I pulled from her kiss, yet lacked the strength to go far. I rested our foreheads together. “Your grandfather—”

“Is nothing to me.” She sounded so mature and determined.

“Is your family.” One that would never approve of this.

Since there was a pause, I thought I was finally winning. I had no idea our little Dove was about to use my own words against me. “Okay. Then let us compromise.”

Brilliant. This woman was simply brilliant.

Sal burst into laughter. “Damn, she learns quick!”

How could I stare at Scarlett and not appreciate her determination? Her excellence. I couldn’t, so, full of admiration for the woman she was becoming, I smiled. “Okay, Star, what is the trade?”

More willpower oozed from her body. “I’ll go back to Italy… if you help me fly.”

Fly. I was stunned, wondering how she knew of me wanting to touch the sky, but apparently, Sal The Pal knew. Still in the kitchen, he did a very poorly executed fake cough, then mumbled, “She means sex.”

“Oh.” Of course, I knew this, but now feared how rejecting her would affect her self-esteem. Almost able to feel the pain that I had to cause, I released her hands and took a step back.

Scarlett was not cooperating. Soft, gentle hands reached and gripped mine with fortitude. “Please, Angelo, let me feel those happy tears.”

“Star, there is no guarantee you will like it. Plus, how could I ask you to want another male body after what they did to you? How could you even trust me in bed?”

As if so smart to know me holding her face entranced me, she pulled my hands to her cheeks. “How can you not trust me to know what I need or want?”

Fuck. She was right.

She nodded. “Yes, you keep telling me to think for myself, but when I do, you tell me I am wrong.”

I recoiled, trying to find space for a clear thought. Her words and the sound of her voice were telling me I was wrong for holding back, but I wasn’t. I needed to stand strong.

Then she whispered, “I trust you.”

It was so sincere my shoulders caved. After all the torture she had experienced, she trusted me. Just another reason I needed to do right by her. “What an honor to hear such words from you. Thank you. But if I did anything wrong, in a bedroom, to you… Not that I would ever hurt you, but what if, mentally, something I did triggers you? What if I cause more harm than good?” She no longer had to force me to hold her beautiful face. I loved touching her. “That would cause me more pain than you can understand.”

Sal groaned from the kitchen, “Ah, shit.”

Not letting Scarlett go, I looked over my shoulder. “You understand me now?”

I could tell he was using the counter to hold himself up. If either of us ever caused Scarlett anguish, it would wreck our world. “Yeah, I understand now. I hadn’t thought of that.”

Scarlett, that unbelievably forgiving soul, kindly told me, “I would never want you in pain.” Her bottom lip actually trembled as tears filled her eyes.

Oh, my brave girl. I’m so sorry. If I could find a way—

“Wait.” Sal sounded like he was up to no good. “Sal may have a solution.”

Oh, shit. Now what?

A wet noodle smacked me in the face.

Sal smirked. “You be the man without hands.”