Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Liv

Vinny and I left off in an odd place yesterday. I’d given him time to cool off, thinking he’d come around and realize that, although he’s probably right telling me I didn’t understand his relationship with his mom, I was only trying to help. But I never heard from him last night, and this morning I knew he’d be at the gym early for the first half of his two-part workout.

My stomach growls, reminding me it’s almost noon, although just the thought of walking to lunch alone makes me almost forget my appetite. The memory of Senator Knight grabbing me is still fresh in my head. The man scares me. Desperation makes good people do bad things. I don’t even want to think what it does to bad people. I skipped dinner last night, my hunger waned as I reflected on my argument with Vinny, my own guilt always guiding my thoughts, spiraling my emotions out of control.

Walking through the glass turnstile on my way to lunch, I catch a glimpse of something that makes my heart stop. Parked at the curb, leaning against his motorcycle, ankles crossed casually, a big bouquet of brightly colored flowers held up in his hand, waits Vinny. Every female head turns at the sight of him, some of the males even stopping to stare too.

The man’s just so damn ridiculously sexy. He’s wearing nothing but a white t-shirt and jeans that hang perfectly on his narrow waist, his hair a natural mess that people pay big money just to look like a knock off of the real thing. Standing a few yards away from me is the real thing. The one that others try to copy. Day old scrub, a shit eating grin with playful, deep creviced dimples, complete with sparkling blue eyes that pin you in place.

“Looking for someone?” I ask. He grins cheekily as I approach.

“Yeah, my girlfriend. She’s probably pissed at me for being an asshole. You seen her around?”

Pointing down the block, I play along. “I think she went that way.”

Vinny grabs my extended arm and pulls me to him, taking both my hands in one of his and holding it behind my back. “Forgive me?” He kisses me sweetly on the lips.

Smiling wryly, I respond, “You think I’m easy. A sexy smile and some flowers?”

“You think my smile’s sexy?” The dimples grow deeper.

Rolling my eyes, I reply, “You only hear the parts that you want to hear.”

Pulling me closer, he arches his eyebrows. “I want to hear you moan my name when we have makeup sex,” he says too loudly.

“Shhhhhh!” I look around and see a few heads turn.

“You don’t like when I say sex in public?” He practically yells the word sex. The streets are filled in Downtown Chicago at lunchtime. I feel my skin blush as more people look on.

“Okay, okay. I forgive you. Now please be quiet.”

He smiles triumphantly and pulls my hand to take me to lunch, carrying the flowers that gets him even more attention than usual the whole time.

***

Walking me to the entrance of my building after lunch, he makes me feel like a teenager being walked to the door of their house with her dad watching on after the end of a date. He kisses me, uncaring that the world goes on around us, likely gawking and feeling uncomfortable at the passionate private display made public. Handing me the flowers he’s been carrying for the last hour, he smiles as he smacks me on the ass as I walk away.

“Hi Summer.” Vinny winks at me as I turn back when I hear him greet her. At first I think he’s kidding, but there’s no mistaking the unhappy face that whips past me, flustered from his smile.