by Jade, Ella
“What?”
“Maybe a glass of wine will help settle your nerves.”
“Did you hear what I said?” I told the sexiest man I know, the only man I wanted to have sex with, that I was a virgin and he wanted me to have wine?
“Yeah.” He nodded. “I’m trying to process it. I suspected but hearing you say it—”
“Is a major turn off.” Would it have been better to let him keep going? I wanted him to make love to me but I thought I should tell him. I should have kept quiet. He would have figured it out.
“Not at all.” He inched closer to me, tucking my hair behind my ear. “I’m glad you told me.”
“You are?”
“Now I know why you don’t want to be alone with me.”
“But I do want to be alone with you and that scares me.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve never had sex and I’m sure you’ve had plenty of it. I’m not at all what you’re used to.”
“That’s why you’re so mesmerizing to me.” He turned my face toward him. So delicate, always so gentle with me. “As for me having plenty of sex...”
“I didn’t mean to offend you, it’s just that I’m pretty certain you’re not a virgin.”
“No, I’m not. It’s been a long time since I could say I was but wouldn’t that be something?”
I put my hand over my face, trying to hide my awkwardness but being around him only made me clumsier with my words and actions. “I shouldn’t have said anything at all. Maybe then I wouldn’t still be a virgin.”
“I would have regretted not knowing.” He removed my hand from my face and kissed my knuckles.
“Because you don’t do virgins?”
“Pun intended?”
I giggled because he had a way of putting me at ease even when my nerves wanted to fight him every step of the way. “I wish I were that witty.”
“You’re adorable.” He stroked my cheek. “Don’t ever change.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“The one about me doing virgins?”
“You’re not going to let that go, are you?”
“Probably not.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “I’m sure there was one or two back in the day. High school.” When he thought for a moment, I lost myself in his warm eyes. “Maybe college. It’s not something I really keep track of. Certainly not something I run around boasting about.”
“You’re an adult now.” I’d given this some thought after he took me home last night. Probably too much thought. “What if you’re not interested in an inexperienced woman?”
“Do I look like I’m not interested? You’re all I’ve thought about these past few days. When we’re not together, I wonder how I can rectify that. When you didn’t show up for dinner, I thought I was too forward last night. That I’d offended you.”
“I thought I offended you by turning you down.”
“I wasn’t offended. Confused is a better word. The evening had gone so well but now I understand.” He brought me to his chest, wrapping his arm around me, making me feel warm and comforted. It reminded me of the hayride when I was cold. Was that really just two days ago? “We can take this slow.”
“I’m not sure that’s what I want.”
“It is.” He twisted his fingers in my hair. “You want to be sure. That’s why you’ve waited as long as you have. You want to know you’re with the right guy.”
I know I am. “I feel like I’ve known you forever.” I snuggled into his embrace. “You’ve been around almost my whole life but we didn’t really know one another. Now that I’m spending time with you, I don’t know... I’m babbling again. I tend to do that when I’m with you.”
“I like when you babble.” He kissed the top of my head. “Last night you asked me to tell you something about me you didn’t know. I’m a private person. I’m not really into sharing stuff about me.”
“Is that why you kept bringing the conversation back to me?”
“You’re far more interesting than I am.”
“Not from where I’m sitting.” I wiggled out of his hold, crossed my legs on the sofa, and waited for him to speak.
“I haven’t been on a date in months,” he admitted. “I haven’t slept with anyone in over a year. It was a one-night stand. Before that, I don’t know how long it’s been.”
“Really?” I didn’t expect that from him. He was rich, powerful, sexy, and dangerous. He had all the characteristics of a perfect man. My perfect man. “How come?”
“I could ask you why you’re still a virgin.”
“Then you’d be bringing the conversation back to me and I’d much rather talk about you.”
“Fair enough.” When his lips curved into a half smile, my body ached for more of what we were doing before I blurted out my status. “Don’t get me wrong, I had fun when I was younger. That carried into my late twenties but then Dominick and I started focusing on the construction company and my social life took a backseat. Most of my evenings are spent here answering emails and going over contracts. Some weeks I see Vincenzo five out of the seven nights. Now that he’s with Nadia, it’s less frequent.”
“Your company seems to be doing well.”
“Dominick and I are very dedicated.”
“To your company and your family. That’s what I’ve always remembered most about the Marchellis. Your loyalty and dedication to one another is impressive. I bet there isn’t anything you wouldn’t do for one of them.”
“My father instilled that in each of us. We protect one another. No matter the cost, no matter the sacrifice. It’s what we do.”
“It’s admirable. Your mother must be proud of all of you. She did a fantastic job raising you.”
“There are some people who might not agree with that.”
“Like who?”
“The D.A., the police chief.” He laughed. “But that’s a story for another day.”
“Would you tell me those stories if I asked?”
“I’d probably bring the conversation back to you.”
“Fair enough.” When I repeated his words from earlier, he smiled, making me feel less anxious. “Thank you for being so open with me tonight.”
“You’ve trusted me with some important information about you too.”
“I have a feeling you were going to find out eventually.” I climbed into his lap. “Kiss me.”
He took my face between his hands, tilted his head, dropping his gaze to my mouth. I sucked in a quick breath when he brushed his lips along mine.
“You’re shaking.” He gently kissed me. “How are we going to fix that?”
“Like this.” I kissed him harder, thrusting my tongue into his mouth, deepening our connection. It was the build-up that frightened me. Once the anticipation faded and the real action began, my nerves settled. That one kiss turned into a long, slow, burning torture. When I shifted my position in his lap, he groaned.
“Okay.” He released my face. “We have to stop.”
“We don’t.” I placed his hands on my hips. “I want more.”
“I do too but not tonight.” He kissed me. “There’s no need to rush any of this.”
“This has been the best weekend of my life. I don’t want it to end.”
“I’m not going anywhere. There will be other weekends.”
“Promise.”
“I promise.”
I rested my head on his shoulder, breathing in his scent, holding him tight. I’d waited years to be this close to him. I didn’t ever want to let go.
Chapter Eight
ANGELIQUE
Right to the Source
The bottles of champagne popped around the Marchelli family room as if it were New Year’s Eve. Vincenzo had asked Nadia to marry him right after we finished Sunday dinner. He declared his love and gave her the biggest ring I’d ever seen. In front of the entire family. Aunts, uncles, cousins all included. I’d never seen this kind of excitement before. Kissing, hugging, flutes clinking
, champagne flowing. The positive energy filled the room in the most infectious way.
As I hugged Nadia and Vincenzo, I couldn’t help but cry tears of joy for them. I didn’t know them that well but their love was obvious. Everyone in the room could feel it when he slipped that ring onto her finger.
“Congratulations,” I said to the glowing couple.
“Thank you.” Vincenzo held Nadia close to his side.
“I hear we’re learning how to make ravioli next week,” Nadia said. “I’m thrilled you’ll be here with me. Being in the kitchen with Stella and Jennie intimidates me.”
“Me too.”
“You’ll be fine.” Vincenzo glanced at Gianni. “Won’t they?”
“I’m not getting involved.” Gianni held up his hands. “If you two survive an afternoon in the kitchen with our mother and grandmother, you’ll deserve an extravagant night out.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.” Nadia sipped her drink. “I guess we need to hug the rest of your family.”
“All I want to do is take you home and celebrate.” He kissed her cheek. “Alone.”
“Then maybe you shouldn’t have proposed in front of an audience,” Gianni suggested. “You know mom is going to make this the first of many celebrations.”
“God love her.” Vince nodded. “I’m fully prepared.”
“Tomorrow she’ll have me and Dominick breaking ground on your house.” Gianni patted his brother’s back. “Make sure you pick out the lot you want or we’ll have to do it for you.”
“One thing at a time,” Vince said. “We got engaged ten minutes ago.”
“I’m learning this family moves fast.” Nadia kissed Vince. “I love every second of it.”
“See you two later.” Vince guided Nadia over to the next group of people waiting to wish them well.
“Is it too crazy in here for you?” Gianni placed his hand on the small of my back and led me out to the cozy patio with the rustic stone fireplace. “You’re not use to such a large family.”
“It’s fantastic.” I sipped my champagne. “That was such a romantic proposal. Vincenzo did a wonderful job. Nadia is very lucky.”
“I’m glad they found one another.”
“I can’t believe I was here to see it.”
It had been a week since I had blurted out my sexual inexperience. We had dinner twice during the week, went into the city on Friday evening to see a show, and last night he brought take-out to my house and insisted Erica join us. I didn’t mind but I was beginning to think he didn’t want to be alone with me. It was as if we had switched roles. He did everything he could to occupy me, court me, and really make me want him.
“That’s why you have to attend all Sunday dinners. You never know what will happen.” He sat on the oversized couch with the comfy throw pillows. “Come sit with me.”
I gladly obliged. I plopped down next to him. Actually, if I sat any closer, I’d be in his lap.
“Did you enjoy your first Marchelli dinner?” He took my glass and placed it on the table next to him. “I liked having you here.”
“Did you forget?” I turned to face him. “I’ve eaten here before. When I was younger.”
“Oh, I remember but I’m asking if you enjoyed your first dinner as my girlfriend.”
His girlfriend?
“If I’m being honest, I’ve never had a serious girlfriend before but I’m hoping you’ll want the job.”
“If this past week is any indication, it’s not a job at all.” I cuddled next to him. “I had a wonderful time at my first dinner as your girlfriend. I hope there will be many more.”
“I can guarantee that.” He cupped the side of my face in his hand, resting his palm on my cheek as he moved in for a slow, sexy kiss. A Gianni special.
“They probably won’t all be as exciting as tonight. It’s not every day one of us gets engaged but there’s never a dull moment around here.”
He ran his finger across my lips and just as I thought he would kiss me again, a high-pitched voice ruined the moment.
“Gianni.” Maria stood in the doorway of the enclosed patio, staring at Gianni as if I wasn’t even there. “There you are.”
I remembered her from years ago. The prima donna with the thick Brooklyn accent, red nails, and long jet black hair. Even with the dim lighting of the fireplace, I could see how much makeup she had on. Her eyelash extensions made her look like a cartoon character. I wondered how long it took to put that face on every day? She was a beautiful woman but it was hard to tell under all that stuff.
“Maria,” Gianni said. “What are you doing here?”
“Vincenzo got engaged.” She spoke like he wasn’t aware.
“And?” he asked.
“It’s all over social media. A Marchelli prince got engaged to a rival’s daughter. The media is waiting for an all-out war.”
“Antonio is not my father’s enemy and none of that explains why you’re here.”
“Franco is. That’s her brother.”
“You’re getting sidetracked.”
“I told you, it’s all over social media. Your mother put out an open invitation to anyone who wanted to come and celebrate with the happy couple.”
“Lovely.” Gianni sighed. “Well, I’m glad you could make it here on such short notice.” His voice dripped with sarcasm. “Why don’t you go and get yourself a glass of champagne? Maybe find Sal?”
“Not until you introduce me to your friend.” She squeezed herself on the couch next to me.
“You already know Angelique,” he reminded her. “But in case Angelique doesn’t remember you...”
“Of course I do.” I took Gianni’s hand in mine because I couldn’t get the image of the two of them together, last week when I arrived at the party, out of my head. She had been all over him. “How have you been, Maria?”
“Good.” She gazed at my hand in Gianni’s. “No soup kitchens for you this weekend?”
“Soup kitchens?” I thought for a moment. “Oh, I used to volunteer a few times a month when I was in college. How did you know that?”
“We’re friends on social media.” Her tone sounded as if she was stating the obvious. Like there was something wrong with me for not knowing we were insignificant friends on platforms that I hardly used anymore. “We have been for years.”
“Really.” I vaguely remembered her following me but she rarely showed up in my feed. “I had no idea.”
“What?” Maria shrieked in shock as Gianni snickered. “You’re missing out on some fascinating posts.”
“I’m sure.” I inched closer to Gianni, trying to put some distance between Maria and myself but there wasn’t room on the couch for all three of us.
“Where have you been all week?” Maria asked Gianni. “You haven’t answered any of my texts. Again. You can’t be that busy.”
“You’d be surprised.” When he smiled at me, I thought about all the long glances we’d exchanged over the week, the quiet hand holding, the passionate kisses we shared, and how many times I thought about sleeping in his bed. Only I didn’t want to sleep...
“Are you two a thing?” she asked.
“Gianni.” Dominick joined us on the porch. “Dad needs us in the study.”
“Now?” Gianni let go of my hand.
“Seriously?” Dominick responded. “Now.”
“Sorry.” Gianni kissed my cheek. “Do you want to go back inside? Santino would love to entertain you.”
“We’ll be fine out here,” Maria said. “I’d like to get to know your new friend better. You know, make sure she is up to standard and all.”
“Why are you here?” Dominick asked.
“What’s with you Marchelli men tonight? You’re usually not this rude.” Maria rolled her eyes. “You better go.” She pointed inside. “Isn’t Daddy waiting?”
“Watch it,” Dominick said.
“I’ll be back soon.” He kissed me softly before whispering into my ear. “Don’t pay attention to her.”
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“Whatever.” Maria took her vape pen from her bag. “I’ve been around here my whole life. They act like I’m an intruder.”
I wonder why? I waved as Gianni went back into the house. Maybe I should have gone inside too. Catching up with Santino was far more appealing than subjecting myself to Gianni’s ex.
“You should get used to that.” She nodded toward the house. “When Dante summons them they go, no questions asked. It doesn’t matter what time of the day or night it is. Doesn’t matter what he’s doing or who he’s doing it with either.”
“It doesn’t bother me.”
“Good because being with a Marchelli isn’t easy.”
“How would you know?”
“I’m the closest thing Gianni has ever had to a girlfriend.” A proud smile graced her lips. “We have so much history. I consider him a really good friend. I’d do anything for him.”
“You were the closest thing he’s ever had to a girlfriend.” The sweat pooled in my palms and the heat rose in my face. I’d never been confrontational and I always stayed away from the mean girls but if I didn’t put her in her place now, she’d probably cause trouble later. “We’re seeing one another.”
“Oh, really.” She laughed. “I hadn’t noticed.”
“You and Gianni haven’t been together in a few years.”
“He told you that?”
“He said it was best to ask him about his life if I had questions.”
“He’s afraid I’ll tell you too much.” She exhaled the bubble gum flavored cloud right into my face. “I’m surprised he talked about me at all. Isn’t that an awkward conversation for a new romance?”
“When I saw the two of you together last week, I asked him what was going on. I didn’t want to be in the middle of anything.”
“Then I’m sure he told you nothing was going on.”
“He did but is that what you would say?” I trusted Gianni but I wanted to know what I was up against when it came to her. Was she going to back down? Was she going to lie? Would she fight for him?
“It’s always what Gianni says.” She tossed up her hands. “He’s a total alpha. You play his way or you don’t play at all.”
That didn’t seem like the man I was getting to know at all.