I bury my face in the crook of my arm and close my eyes. “Go away.”

His footsteps are heavy on the hardwood floor, but I don’t dare look up. He’s gutted me enough for one day. What the hell was Roger thinking, letting Angelo upstairs? He promised me he’d make sure Angelo went away.

The bed dips next to me. “Tilly.” Angelo’s voice is soft and sweet, but I know better. “Look at me, baby.”

“Don’t ‘baby’ me.” I bury my face deeper into the comforter, refusing to shed another tear. I’m too angry to be sad. I’d slap him across the face if I could look at him without bursting into tears.

“I know what you saw, but it’s not what you think.”

“I think you were touching someone who isn’t just a friend.” My voice is muffled by the blanket.

“That’s Michelle. Daphne’s best friend since elementary school. She worked at the bar up until a few weeks ago. She moved to California and just stopped in.”

Stopped in and had her hands all over my man. Not just her hands, but her lips too. There’s a difference between a hug you give to your friends and one you give to someone who’s more intimate. “She’s more than a friend, Angelo. I’m not blind. Did you sleep with her?”

“Never,” he says quickly.

“Kiss her?”

“No.”

“Touch her in a way I don’t touch Roger?”

He pauses for the first time, making my point for me.

“She’s more than a friend, then.” I swallow down the lump in my throat and take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.

“I never loved Michelle.”

“What’s that have to do with anything?”

Angelo’s eyes always express so many emotions and I want to look at him, but I can’t. I know I look like an idiot. I still have my head buried, and my eyes are puffy and swollen from crying. I’m the epitome of a hot mess.

“I made love to you. I said you’re mine. Those aren’t things I do with friends. I love you, Tilly.”

The pain in my chest shifts and is replaced by a dull ache. “Say it again,” I tell him, because hearing him say those words is everything to me.

“Sweetheart.” He touches my back so softly, I almost don’t feel his hand. “Look at me.”

“I can’t.” I sniffle. “I’m a mess.”

He slides his hand under my stomach and pulls me upright. I look down, because I know my face isn’t pretty, but he touches my chin and forces my eyes to his.

“I love you, Tilly,” he says again, gazing at me with the softest eyes.

My vision blurs again, and my stomach flips. “I love you too, Angelo,” I whisper as my bottom lip trembles.

I never thought I’d say those words again. Never thought I’d feel this way again about anybody besides Mitchell. It’s unexplainable and completely undeniable, mixed with a hint of crazy.

He slides his hand across my cheek, and my spine tingles. I melt into his touch as he cups my face. “There’s no one else in this world for me except you. I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry for causing you pain. I’m sorry for the tears on your beautiful face,” he says as he wipes my cheek with his thumb. “I never want to cause you pain.”

I blink through the tears, letting them fall. “I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions. I was just so hurt.” I grab his hand that’s resting on my knee. “I love you, Angelo.”

His head dips forward, and I close my eyes, waiting for his lips to touch mine. “Promise you’ll talk to me first before you run away.”

I open my eyes and stare into his. “Are there more women in your past?”

“There’s only you, and you’re my future,” he says before he kisses me, stealing every last bit of my breath and taking my entire heart too.

I climb into his lap as he wraps his arms around my body, holding me tight. There’s something about the way he holds me that makes me feel more protected than I ever have before.

There’s comfort in his touch and strength in his kiss, and it’s completely intoxicating.

I reach down and palm his stiff cock. “I want you,” I tell him.

His eyes widen. “Right now?”

I nod slowly and start rocking against his jeans, dry-humping him. “We can just do this too,” I tell him, teasing the fuck out of him because I know I’m going to get my way.

He lifts me into the air, placing my feet on the floor, and stands in front of me. His fingers are at his zipper, and he motions to me with his head. “Undress,” he tells me. “Now.”

I push down my skirt, wanting to climb the man like a tree and mount him. I watch in awe and amazement as he pushes his pants to the floor and that beautiful cock of his makes its glorious appearance.

As soon as my clothes are off and he’s naked enough to fuck, I use all my body weight to tackle him. “I’m not going to be gentle, and there’s going to be nothing slow about this,” I tell him as I slide my throbbing pussy against his cock.

“Condom,” he whispers.

I put my finger over his lips, needing to feel his bare skin against mine again. “I’m clean,” I say, feeding him the line he gave me last time.

In all the years I was with Mitchell, we never used birth control, and never once was my period late. The doctor said I’d need medical intervention to get pregnant, so fucking Angelo with no protection isn’t an issue.

I rear up, lifting my lower half above him using my knees. He gazes up at me as he grips my hips, stopping me. “I’m yours, Tilly,” he says before I slam my pussy down on his long, thick shaft.

He gasps, writhing underneath my weight as I buck, riding him hard and rough. I straighten my back and grind my clit against his hard flesh, driving myself closer to orgasm.

“Tell me again,” I say as I lift myself up, waiting to hear the words.

His fingers dig into my hips, trying to make me move, but I’m not budging. “I’m yours,” he repeats as he tightens his grip on me.

I ride him hard, fast, and unrelenting as I steady myself against his body, using my fingertips to balance against his ridiculously hard pecs. I gasp when he lifts his ass upward, meeting my thrust and driving his cock deeper.

“You’re mine,” he grunts, flipping the script as he pounds into me from underneath. His hands are still on my hips, controlling and directing my movements. “Always mine.”