LOGINShare
Chapter 22
Last Updated:
2021-07-02 10:37:59Emiliana
It was a week before Christmas and only a few days since I had last spoken to Luciano. I could feel the space that had drifted between us in the last couple of days, I wasn’t sure if it was because of the terrible meeting that took place or Giovanni constantly lingering in my thoughts. Whatever it was, I felt myself sinking in the overwhelming sea of emotions.
I watched as couples waltzed in carefree circles on the dance floor behind a golden backdrop. Swaying to the gentle Christmas music. Everyone was in their own bubbles of Christmas spirit and joy and I felt slightly envious of them. Chatter could be heard from the far reaches of the room and laughter was chasing it closely behind.
Long rows of tables adorned the main section of the room, rose vines entwined the chandeliers hangi
Related chapters
Mr Cruz [BOOK 1] Chapter 23
Emiliana “So do you.” It was the first time he had ever spoken directly to me and I froze. I had no words. I had never anticipated him to reply or respond at all. His syrup smooth voice ignited a fire within me. The butterflies no longer danced but stirred into a disturbed frenzy. It was like auditory caramel, my ears longed to listen to his words over and over again. My mother had interrupted any chances of me finally having a conversation with Giovanni and I felt despondence radiate through me and immediately cast down the flurry of wings. She had hurried me back into the venue to listen to speeches before I had time to protest. After the Christmas ball, the immense silence that enveloped his company was even more prominent. No o
Last Updated : 2021-07-03Mr Cruz [BOOK 1] Chapter 24
EmilianaI took a moment to calm myself, as I watched everyone open presents. Tie pins and cufflinks were the main themes for the males of the family, and each received a matching set, purely by coincidence. Twenty four carat gold and platinum adorned with diamonds and engraved with initials and sweet sentimental quotes.Giovanni sat silent, as usual but my gut twisted with guilt that he hadn’t received anything. He didn’t look phased by it, but it didn’t sit well with me. He knew everyone in the room, yet he hadn’t received one gift.My mother placed a wrapped up box in front of me. I tore the paper away like a little child, only to find a wooden box in my hands. I paused for a moment, before I opened the clasp carefully and lifted the lid.
Last Updated : 2021-07-04Mr Cruz [BOOK 1] Chapter 25
GiovanniI stood in the arctic darkness, listening to the soft crunch of Emiliana’s feet across the snow as she walked away.The Empire State Building keychain she had gifted me turned in my hand. She had felt bad for me, something I wasn’t used to. I didn’t want her to pity me, and the more I thought about it, I realised it wasn’t pity. She had bought this last week, this was thought out - to a certain extent.It was a cute gesture, one that had me stumped as I lay in bed that night.The Christmas Ball earlier in the week was something I hadn’t anticipated. I had let myself down, unable to contain my resolve when I had spoken to her. But damn she looked exquisite in that red gown and it wasn’t a lie that she had th
Last Updated : 2021-07-05Mr Cruz [BOOK 1] Chapter 26
EmilianaGiovanni was on my mind ever since he kissed me on Christmas Day. I still remembered how his soft lips caressed my cheek before his syrupy voice whispered in my ears.I tingled at the thought of his breath fanning across my cheek, the subtle wetness of where his lips had pressed sent a red hot flush of emotions through my body.I wasn’t sure if he had done it out of pity for my solemn state or something more. Whatever his reasons were, we had refused to discuss it and I happily accepted the fact. I wouldn’t have known how to bring it up without causing an awkward silence so we both did what we did best. We didn’t talk at all.My mind was reeling with possibilities as we approached The NoMad Hotel in South Central
Last Updated : 2021-07-06Mr Cruz [BOOK 1] Chapter 27
EmilianaI felt the bed dip beside my weak and hungover body. Last night became a blur of alcohol and emotions after the New Year countdown and I couldn’t quite remember how I had got into bed, naked. Only noticing my thin underwear against the silky covers as I lay slumped and motionless in my bed.My hair was swept across my face by a delicate finger. I groaned into my pillow at the invasion of space, feebly swatting my hand in the air.“Em,” a smooth voice called out to me in the abyss of my mind. It was dreamlike and I didn’t want the apparition to stop. “Em,” the voice was more urgent this time.“Ugh.” I responded to my tormentor. Whoever was breaking up my sleep, better have a good explanation.
Last Updated : 2021-07-07Mr Cruz [BOOK 1] Chapter 28
EmilianaI stared at my avocado and toast in front of me, my fork playing piggy in the middle with the thick chunks. Nausea had wiped me and saturated all of my energy. I couldn’t think of anything worse than finishing my breakfast.“You don’t have to finish it.” Luciano waved his fork in the air as he wiped his face with the napkin. His blue eyes crinkled at the corners as his smile travelled across the table.I pushed the plate away, unable to look at it anymore. “I’m sorry.” I mumbled softly to him. I felt bad that it was Luciano’s first day back in the city and he had chosen to spend it with me. I was ruining it for us both with my incapacitating hangover.“Don’t be sorry.” He
Last Updated : 2021-07-08Mr Cruz [BOOK 1] Chapter 29
Giovanni It killed me seeing Luciano all over Emiliana as they left the apartment. I sat on the kitchen stool, mulling things over in my brain, overthinking the slightest thought. I loved the fact she dared me to kiss her. It was her way of telling me she wanted it just as much as I did. In The way she felt against my lips, how she melted into my arms. Every time I thought about her was another kick to my stomach. She was dating Luciano, a total slimeball, a typical New York bachelor, and it pissed me off that she was so infatuated with him. Yet, I could see the way she looked at me. It wasn’t the same as how she looked at Luciano. I nursed the cup of coffee in my hands, smirking at the thought of Emiliana’s conflictions. She couldn’t deny
Last Updated : 2021-07-09Mr Cruz [BOOK 1] Chapter 30
EmilianaConcentration usually came easy to me, but so did distraction. When I was tormented by so many thoughts and feelings, I couldn’t focus. I was caught up in a tornado of conflict.Giovanni’s signature scent wafted past me, my eyes lifted excitedly at his presence. It was a brief and disappointing appearance. After hearing his sultry voice, I wanted nothing more than to hear it again.My eyes drifted back to my iPad, before a large mug of coffee was placed in front of me and I watched as Giovanni carefully lowered himself to the seat opposite me. Lust enveloped us both, I could feel that much. But there was something bothering Giovanni and he refused to tell me.I stared down at the figures in my lap. The numbers I had pr
Last Updated : 2021-07-10
Latest chapter
Mr Cruz [BOOK 1] Teaser
In one effortless swoop, Giovanni scooped me up in his arms, carrying me bridal style to the super king sized bed at the other side of the room. He lowered me to the floor, spinning me round to undo the laced back. His adept fingers made light work and in moments my wedding dress was nothing more than a pool of material at my feet. Giovanni stepped back, drinking in my figure, the way my corset squeezed at my waist and pushed my breasts up. Gazing over every inch of my creamy skin and my lacey underwear left little to his imagination. He licked his lips hungrily, green eyes landing on the white garter gripping at my thigh. Giovanni dropped to his knees, tugging the garter down with his teeth until it fell from my foot. “It’s going to be a long night
Mr Cruz [BOOK 1] Chapter 85
Emiliana I could have stayed like that for hours. Even if my eyes closed as I relaxed in Giovanni’s arms, there was nowhere else I wanted to be. I felt my body being lifted from the ground, but my eyes were too heavy to open. The gentle sway of my body lulled me further into my slumber and it wasn’t until I felt my body pressed into soft sheets that I eventually stirred. Giovanni slid in beside me, wrapping me in his arms and never letting go. His breath skated over my neck, soft puffs that caught in my hair. My cheek pressed against his warm bare chest and moved with each inhale and exhale. “I’m getting you home, Emiliana.” Giovanni’s gentle whispers lapped at my ears like a soothing melody, his hands combing through my hair like it was a
Mr Cruz [BOOK 1] Chapter 84
Giovanni The doors were weightless compared to the guilt that tore shreds from my chest. I could almost hear my heart breaking under the strain of what I was about to do. My palms were clammy as I turned to my grandfather, every part of me was in conflict. “Abuelo.” (Grandfather.) I cleared my throat. I had no speech prepared or memorised, this was all about to roll off my tongue, freefalling. “¿Qué necesitas?” (What do you need?) He sighed, resting his elbows on his desk. If he wasn’t family, I would have been intimidated by the way he glared at me, peering over his glasses like I was in trouble. “No es para mí,” (It’s not for me,) My voice mumbled, I shuffled my feet hesitantly. “Es para Emil
Mr Cruz [BOOK 1] Chapter 83
Emiliana “Are you hurt, Chiquita?” Vinnie crouched down in front of me, his eyes studying me carefully. I didn’t bother to conceal my emotions as the tears fell from my eyes. It was both shock and relief that washed over me like a waterfall, releasing into my tears. I shook my head and in one swift motion Vinnie had me in his arms, carrying me to the car on the other side of the road and placing me in it. Smoke billowed from the hood of the SUV now abandoned in the ditch, the smell of burning rubber permeated my senses and drowned out any other sensation. I fixated on that one smell, the deep charred stench that prevented me from drifting off into my thoughts. Vinnie’s large form paced over to where Giovanni was slumped against a tree, his
Mr Cruz [BOOK 1] Chapter 82
Emiliana Giovanni gripped the strangers head, pressing their foreheads together while smiling widely. I had never seen so much relief plaster his face before. “¿Cuánto tiempo ha pasado?” (How long has it been?) The stranger clutched Giovanni in a brotherly embrace. “Demasiado tiempo.” (Too long.) Giovanni answered, his voice muffled by the leather that pressed against his cheek. “You’ve caused quite a stir.” The man glanced at me before releasing Giovanni. They both took a step back, but they were now shaking hands and patting each other on the back. “This one causing trouble?” He nodded in my direction. Giovanni turned to me, now I had two sets of eyes staring me down.
Mr Cruz [BOOK 1] Chapter 81
“We need food.” I called as I searched through the empty cupboards on my tiptoes. There was nothing in them, bar from a few crusty packets of noodles and a take out menu. I knew Giovanni was still attempting to conceal his pain from me and maybe that’s why we hadn’t left the apartment in two days but it was almost ridiculous that Giovanni had described this as a safe place when there were no provisions supplied for our stay. I padded through to the bedroom, catching a glimpse of Giovanni zipping up a black duffel bag. My interest piqued, mostly because Giovanni was looking more shifty and less inconspicuous. “What’s that for?” My eyes investigated the outside of the suspicious looking bag before my hand reached for the zipper. Giovanni rested his hand on top, shaking his head. “Principessa,” he warned me with a raised brow.
Mr Cruz [BOOK 1] Chapter 80
Emiliana “Who are you?” I took a step back and Giovanni could probably sense my trepidation. The room fell silent as his jaw rolled side to side. “It’s a long story.” He huffed aloud, not attempting to hide the irritation in his voice. He rubbed the back of his neck, a nervous habit I had noticed about him. “Then shorten it.” Giovanni heaved another sigh and I could feel the tether of patience stretching to the point of snapping. I could see the muscles working overtime in his jaw as he thought over his words. “How many more secrets are you hiding from me?” I seethed through gritted teeth, that tether tore away from me like an elastic band. Snapping back into my face.
Mr Cruz [BOOK 1] Chapter 79
EmilianaThe gentle whirring of the ceiling fan that I had been so hypnotized to earlier, brought me back from the land of nod. Blinking back the sleep, I rolled over. The bed was empty and cold, and judging by the crisp sheets beside me I sensed Giovanni probably hadn’t even joined me.I peeled back the fluffy blanket that was draped over me and stepped onto the cool floor. I was surrounded by safe calmness as I wandered around the room, taking in the simple decor.The room was sparse, apart from the clean white wardrobes that sat against the far wall and the lamp atop of a small table to the side of the bed. Just like Giovanni, this room told me nothing about the man.A loud smash caught me off guard and I flung the bedroom door open. Gi
Mr Cruz [BOOK 1] Chapter 78
Emiliana Three hours had passed since I had replaced his bandage. As soon as we were nearing the border of Spain, I could physically feel the heat difference. My nerves that were once a wreck had calmed somewhat. I glanced at the dashboard to see the time was almost six in the morning. We had been driving for over five hours and we still had two more to go. I had opened the window, blasting my face with cool air to keep myself awake for the last two hours while Giovanni remained sleeping. I couldn’t risk falling asleep and crashing after getting this far. I spotted an area further up the road to pull over just as the sun began to rise.
