Italian Billionaire's Black Love (BWWM Interracial Romance) by Mya Black, Nicki J. Page B

expensive gifts and last minute dates. She didn’t need that in her life and neither did her baby.
    Alessandro sighed and set down a glass of orange juice for her. “Are you ready to listen to me yet?”
    “That depends,” she said. When he looked at her, she asked, “Are you still married?”
    “You know that I am. But there’s more to the story.”
    “There always is with guys like you,” she muttered and sipped her juice.
    He crouched down until she could look deep into his dark brown eyes, holding her chin so she couldn’t look away. “You know what I think, Eve? I think you want to believe the worst about me, so then you wouldn’t have to confront how you feel about me.” His other hand grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her in for a kiss and for a moment, he was lost. Being this close to her again felt too good to be true. She tasted sweet and tangy like orange juice and as much as she wanted to fight him, she gave herself over to the kiss. To him. He pulled back. “You want me the same way I want you. The only difference is that I’m honest about it.”
    She was dazed for a minute. That kiss had rocked her, as his kisses always did. Shaking away the lust-fueled fog, she looked at him, contempt in her eyes. “You’re honest about your feelings? Well,” she sat back and crossed her arms, erecting that invisible barrier between them, “at least you’re honest about something.”
    “We were getting a divorce!” His voice was loud in the silent room, far away from the traffic of southern Los Angeles. There were no noises to fill the room other than the odd lawnmower sounding in the distance. He dragged his fingers through his hair, frustration dripping from his words. “We were getting a divorce when she got into the accident that put her in a coma!” How long would he have to pay for her sins? How long would he have to be tied to a woman he’d grown to hate long before the swelling that put her in a coma? Especially now that he’d found a woman to love – to really love.
    Eve stared at him for a long time. His thick locks stood up all around his head, evidence of his growing frustration. He seemed genuine, but he’d lied once and she was reluctant to believe him again. You want me the same way I want you . She knew that was true, she wanted Alessandro more than she’d ever wanted any man. But shit, the other woman? That was a tough pill to swallow. Just like dear old mom , she thought nastily.
    Alessandro stood and backed away. “I guess it doesn’t matter, since you’re not ready to listen. I’m going to shower, yell if you need me.”
    Eve sank back into the sofa, wishing the cushions would just open up and swallow her whole. She hated herself for still loving Alessandro – for loving a married man. But he was so good. Everything about him was good. Except the wife.
    Should she apologize to him and listen to his explanation?
    No, she couldn’t. Listening wouldn’t change anything. She’d still be the other woman.
    ***
    Twenty minutes under the hot spray of the shower had done nothing to fix Alessandro’s sour mood. He was frustrated and he was pissed off, mostly at himself and at Sabrina’s parents. Hell, he was even pissed off at Sabrina, fat lot of good that would do him right now. So he’d stood under the hot water in hopes that it would relax his muscles and his mind. His frustration with Eve had reached a fever pitch and he thought maybe it would be a good idea to get that nurse, after all.
    He went into the living room to tell her as much and found her soundly asleep with her head resting on the arm of the sofa. She was so damn beautiful it made his heart hurt. He was so in love with her and right now, it all seemed hopeless. But looking at her like that, vulnerable and soft in sleep, he knew he’d never give her up.
    Alessandro lifted Eve in his arms and walked her to the bedroom. When he tried to lay her down, her arms tightened around his neck and she groaned. “You