Just Tell Me You Love Me (Book 1 in the Just Series) *under editing*

Chapter 15

Massimo

Ever since the kiss we shared in the garden, I could tell that Arabella has been avoiding me. She made sure that she was only around me when someone else was around.

I've been trying to talk to her alone, but I can't seem to figure out how to talk to her...and when I do, what would I say?

For the past week, all we have shared are a few words. Aside from the hi's and hello's, we only ever talk about Lia. It doesn't help, that every time she's around, she looks so beautiful, I can't keep my eyes off of her. I've been coming home early, just to see them both, sprawled on the floor, either reading, watching TV, playing, or asleep. I look forward everyday to seeing that, and hearing them laugh and giggle. Sometimes I would stand there just watching them together. They don't even know, I'm there.

Today is no different. I'm standing here by the entry way of the family room, watching them curled up together, asleep. They must have fallen asleep while watching TV.

Lia is so taken with her. She had fallen for this wonderful woman. Just looking at how she is cuddled close to the warmth of Arabella's embrace, and the way she is hugging her back, brings such warmth, joy, and happiness to me. I don't know how Lia could ever survive, if ever Arabella leaves us. I have to make sure, I keep her. For my daughter's sake.

There's no denying it. There is definitely something special about Arabella.

Tonight.... I'll talk to her tonight.

I close my eyes. "I found her sweetheart. I found the person who loves Lia like her own. This is for Lia inamorata. I'm going to do this for her," I quietly thought to to myself.

I just hope that she loves Lia enough to agree to marry.

I hope and pray that wherever Cassie is, she is happy. This is all I am capable. She asked me to find someone I could love, and will love Lia, like her own daughter. I've fulfilled a part of that. I found a woman who loves Lia as if she was her own. I care for Arabella, and that is all I'm capable of giving. I just don't have it in me to love another, the way I loved my Cassie.

***

Where is she?

I knocked on her door, and there was no answer. I thought she was already sleeping, so I opened her door, to find her bed empty.

I checked the library.

She's not there either.

Where the hell is she?

I decided to walk to Lia's room maybe she's in there. As I was making my way to my daughter's room, I walk past the balcony, and find the French door ajar. Then she walked into my line of view. There she was standing by the balcony, looking up into the dark sky. I can imagine her with her eyes closed, as she breathes in the beauty of the night.

As my eyes fixated on Arabella, I felt a shot of of desire, and warmth wash over me. Her firm buttocks, slim hips, narrow waist, along with her long and sleek legs, made me hot and heavy. Her body is perfection. Not too skinny, just right. She had curves. She's soft in all the right places. God, remembering the way she felt in my arms, during the times we kissed, can make me hard in seconds. This woman is a fucking temptation. She is a walking dream.

I'd like to think, that the only reason I'm reacting to her this way is because I haven't been with anyone since my wife died, but I know it's not. There has been quite a few women who was very forthcoming about wanting to be with me, but none of them ignited the fire inside of me. No one has ever made me feel the way Arabella does. Not even Cassie. I felt a sense of betrayal, for feeling this way. I had never felt an overpowering hunger for Cassie. Don't get me wrong though, even though Cassie was a shy lover, making love with her had been satisfying. She was different from all the women, I've been with. We may not have reached a deeper level of passion, but I loved her. I loved being with her. I loved the fact, that she was different. I loved that about her.