Taming Ricardo, The Italian Billionaire

“Having take-out and relaxing in a living room.” He studied her for a few minutes, wondering if he should go further. Perhaps now was a good time as any to share more about himself. “My wife loved to dress up and go to the most expensive places. I always humored her.”

Her head snapped up and her gaze landed on his left hand. “Your wife?”

“She passed away,” he quickly replied.

“O-oh. I’m so sorry.”

Ricardo smile sadly. “I wasn’t happy and neither was she. We were separated when she died.”

“Was she ill?” Kyra shook her head. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to answer that if you don’t wish. I didn’t mean to pry.”

“No. She died in a fire. Our house burned down. Though we were separated, neither of us moved out. I suppose we were both attached to the place. I was planning to give her the house and move out soon, though. After the fire, I found out that she wasn’t alone in the house. She had company. A man. A smoker. A lit cigarette was the cause of the fire. I took her death hard not because I miss her but because I regret that we weren’t in a good place when she died. We did love each other deeply once. I never got the chance to tell her that I forgave her for everything and I never got to ask forgiveness for anything I may have done. After everything, I still cared about her. We had a huge fight the day I left and when I returned home two days later, she was gone, my home was gone. I took her death very hard for a while.”

She stared at him for a long while and the compassion was evident in her eyes. It became clear that one of the reasons he was so drawn to her was her caring nature. She seemed to genuinely care about others. He didn’t see much of that in his world. Everyone around him wanted what he had to offer. Kyra listened and seemed to genuinely care. “I’m sorry you had to go through that, Ricardo.” She stood up. “You know what this calls for? Something stronger than juice. I’m going to get the wine.”

He grinned. “Careful, you might get drunk, and I’m in your apartment so who are you going to drunk dial after?”

She hung her head. “I guess you’ll never let me live that down.”

“Oh, I’m planning to have fun with it for a while.”

She giggled on her way to the kitchen. The soft sound filled the apartment, making him smile. It occurred to him that he hadn’t smiled much over the years but Kyra had pulled so many smiles out of him in just a matter of a few days. Perhaps he was getting in too deep with her too quickly, but he didn’t give a damn.

She returned with a bottle of wine and two glasses. “I just remembered that you’re driving.”

“It’s fine. I have a driver.”

She cocked a brow. “Of course, you do.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know my way around New York. Having a driver is convenient.”

Setting down the glasses, she filled each of them half way. When she realized that he was watching, she pursed her lips. “What?”

“I enjoy looking at you, that’s all.”

“Well, it’s a bit disconcerting. I hate attention.”

He scooted forward on the couch and grabbed her wrist, pulling her on to his lap. She gasped. “Ricardo, let me up.”

“Not until you tell me what you’re afraid of. You mentioned that I scare you. What, do I look like a troll?”

She snorted. “Oh, trust me you don’t. You’re very good-looking,” Her eyes widened when she realized what she had just blurted out.

Ricardo grinned and reached for her glass, handing it to her. He took a sip from his own. “Now that we’ve established that it’s not my looks that frighten you, tell me what really does.”

She groaned. “Do we have to talk about it now? I’m not accustomed to discussing my feelings.”

“Neither am I and I shared something about me with you that I have never told anyone else. It’s only fair that you do the same.”

“I would feel better not expressing myself while sitting on your lap.”

Ricardo swallowed a smile. “Tough. I like having you on my lap. You’re staying.”

She rolled her eyes. “Let me start by saying your domineering ways doesn’t help your case much where I’m concerned,” she said primly.

He smirked at the annoyance on her face. “Thank you for your honesty.”

“You’re very welcome.”

“Has anyone ever told you how sexy you are when you’re annoyed?” 

“Ricardo, you’re not making it any easier to talk to you.”

“I’m sorry, bellissima. Please continue.”