Claiming What's Mine

years

me.” My sister cranes her

et to spend as much time with her as I’d like. Since we’re two years apart, and she’s my only siste

north to spend the weekend at our cottage in Door County, Wisconsin. Escaping the frenetic energy of the city is always a welcome change. I could spend days wandering aro

e focused. I already know what-or who-has captured her attention

” I tell her, ignoring the nerves

.” Still staring at him, she states

my lips curl into a smile. Clearing my throat, I admon

other since they were children. I can’t imagine my sister with anyone other than Dante, who has mastered the art of reining her in when necessary while allowing h

. “I can appreciate a good-l

odily harm whenever she catches him looking at other women. “Can

enjoys ha

hing to worry about. Dante loves her bey

I not en

led with courtships that fizzled out around the six-month mark. Of course, being

to the yard from the basement gym where my father’s men work out. I’ve unintentionally memorized his schedule. Every day like

sence. Then I can look at him as much as I want

why he does

blind not to notice his disgust

r has only intensified those feelings. I’m not sure what I did to ca

give him a wide berth. And yet, knowing his feelings, I still gravitat

these fleeting glimpses of him. I file them away in the

oes. I’ve racked my brain to come up with a rational explanation for his behavior, bu

give a damn and that

sn’t th

ht, may

t I can’t lie to myself. I have a sick obsession

eme. At least toward me, he is. Every time he glowers at me, my breath catches, and my pulse r

usions that Roman wou

m to be a gentle

s his surroundings to look for threats. I’ve never seen him k

cent. His body is hard. Strong. Honed for violence. A thin veneer of civ

the sight of his muscles contracting and lengthening. Since he hasn’t glanced in our direction, I

with mine, and I realize that he’s been aware of us

arms rise as h

murmurs, her voice full of amu

oosely around lean hips, his sun-kissed skin is gloriously bare. His muscular chest glistens with perspiration in the

one in my appreciation. I’ve seen the way other women watch him. He

ing out on me? Is there some kind of illicit flirtat

is stare. Air rushes from my lungs, and my legs turn to jelly as he takes off at a fast clip toward

thoughts that have accumulated. “Of course

-songs teasingly, letting me know t

rises three-fourths of the property, my heart rate retur

kie.” The bitter truth of the words rings har

together. “Why d

my breath, “You saw the w

ea

adept at silently communicating with one another. It’s a childhood

If she looks too closely, she might see the feelings I have for Roman. And I’m

ys looks at me that way. It’s like he’s ang

ps together in a thoughtf

ade me feel uncomfortable or unwelc

than a month. I’ll return to my apartment in the city, where I c

a wh

pend their summer breaks living at home with their parents, but Mama and Papa are overprotective. They worry about my s

mind spending

ver minded before Roman b

being polite and friendly. Not overly so, but enough to pass

of muttered words that barely passed for conversation. I now go to great lengths to s

infinitely female in me. My senses go haywire whenever he’s in the vicinity. I don’t underst

snapping me out of my musings. “I

ike me.” My heart clenches as I add, “And fo