Sweet Temptation by Cora Reilly

Wasn’t that what everyone called it, even though I couldn’t see the magic in
squeezing something that big out of my vagina.
“I have a busy morning on Friday, but I want us to head out to my beach
house in the afternoon, so we’ll have all of Saturday to enjoy our time there.”
“Why won’t you talk to me about the past?” I said softly.
Cassio shifted, his mouth hot against my ear. “Stop prying, Giulia. You won’t
like what you’ll find. Now sleep.”
His words stung. I began to roll over to give him space so he could sleep,
which obviously wasn’t going to happen with me close, but his arm around my
waist tightened. He lodged me against his body once more. I swallowed.
“You’re young,” he said. “I worry about all the ways I’ll hurt you before
you’ve grown into a jaded adult to survive in our world and at my side.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“I know, but eventually you will.”
I hadn’t been to my beach house in three months. The last time I went, I’d
longed for peace and quiet after Gaia’s funeral. I’d come alone without Simona
and Daniele because every look at them reminded me of the woman I wanted to
forget.
Giulia’s eyes widened in awe when we pulled up in front of the splendid
white bungalow on the beach. Mia owned the house beside it, but we rarely
visited this place at the same time, even if she’d been insisting on a family
vacation for a while. Simona had fallen asleep in her seat, but Daniele’s face
flashed with recognition. He’d loved this place in the past. I worried even that
had changed.
The wind nipped at our clothes. November wasn’t the best time to spend
time outside around here, but I wanted to show Giulia this house. I wasn’t even
sure why. It would have been more impressive in spring or summer.
Another gust tore Giulia’s black cowboy hat from her head. My hand lashed
out, snatching the thing out of the air.
Giulia let out an astonished laugh. “That’s an impressive show of reflexes.”