by Jade, Ella
Too late. “That’s a hard request. He’s good to me.”
“I don’t want you to get hurt. He may disappoint you and it probably won’t be his fault.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve built him up in your head for years. Whether you were aware of it or not, you turned down a ton of guys because they weren’t Gianni. What if he can’t live up to your expectations?”
I couldn't deny that. I wasn’t sure why I had held out. It wasn’t as if I ever thought I’d have a chance with him but now that I did, I would make the most of it.
“I’m not saying it can’t work. Take your time and get to know one another. Enjoy the fun stuff.”
“I will.” I hugged her. “But now I have to go to bed.”
“I’ve already packed your lunch.”
“Erica, you don’t have to do that every day.” She did make the best chicken salad. And her avocado toast was to die for.
“What else would I do?” She got up and headed for the door. “I’ll make sure you have a hot breakfast when you come down.”
“Lots of coffee?”
“You’re going to need it.”
“Coffee and a good eye concealer.”
“Good night.”
She blew me a kiss before closing the door behind her. I realized how lucky I was to have her in my life. I loved our talks and always took her advice to heart. She was wrong though. The man I had created in my head for all those years was nothing compared to who Gianni really was. He’d already exceeded all of my expectations.
As I was about to get undressed my phone dinged with a text. I rummaged through my bag to find it. The message was from Gianni.
Angels appear when we least expect it. Now I have my very own.
There was only one way to respond.
Always.
Chapter Ten
GIANNI
Are You Prepared To Be Mine?
Sitting in my father’s study, I tried to concentrate on what he and Dominick discussed. It was Friday afternoon and Angelique was in the kitchen making ravioli. I hadn’t seen her yet but knowing she was in the same house, no matter how large that house was, distracted me.
I’d picked her up from work a few times this week. One night we went to the city for dinner. The other two times she wanted to go to my house and order in. I obliged her but I made the bedroom off-limits. As much as I liked her in my bed, it was too hard when she got out of it and went home. The next time she was in my bed, she’d be staying the night.
“Is that doable, Gianni?” my father asked.
“What?” I cleared my throat. “I’m sorry. I zoned out.”
“I wonder who you were thinking about?” Dominick grinned. “Could it be the cute homemaker in the kitchen?”
“No, I was thinking about a contract I need to get Vincenzo to draw up. I forgot to ask him this morning.”
“You’re pretty taken by Bruno’s daughter,” my dad said. “She’s a beautiful woman. A little shy around the family but she’s not used to us.”
“I’m sure mom and Stella are taking care of that.” Dominick checked his phone. “If the work calendar is up to date, we can break ground for Vincenzo and Nadia’s house after Christmas.”
“Vincenzo agreed to build?” I asked. “He hasn’t set a wedding date.”
“He hasn’t picked his lot either but I want to make sure he’s on the schedule. Your mother is busy planning the engagement party. She has poor Sal twisted in every direction. The house is their wedding present. I want to make sure we have it done in time.”
My father was nothing if not proactive.
“Consider it done.” I glanced at my phone to find a picture of Nadia and Angelique making pasta. They were both covered in flour. The smile on Angelique’s face said it all. She was practically glowing. “Anything else?”
My dad and Dominick laughed.
“What?” I put my hands up. “It’s Friday. I have emails to answer so I can start my weekend.”
“Fine,” my dad said. “I might need you to oversee a shipment tomorrow afternoon at the docks. It’s for the Castorina family. They asked for one of us to be there for extra security.”
“Okay.”
“Go see your girl.” My dad pointed to the door. “You’re useless to me here anyway.”
“I can stay.” I got up and headed for the door before he changed his mind. “If you need me to.”
“Get out.” Dominick pushed me out of the room. “I’m guessing we’re not playing pool tonight?
“Vincenzo’s coming to meet Nadia. He can take my place.” I have a date with a flour-covered girl. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Have fun.” Dominick shut the door as I made my way down the hall, following the sound of Angelique’s seductive voice. When I got to the entryway of the kitchen, she sat on the stool in the center island, mixing something in a bowl. Her hair was pulled off her face. She wore yoga pants and a tight-fitting t-shirt. My grandmother adorned her in an apron that was now covered in food. I glanced down and admired her sneakers. I’d never seen her in them before. They suited her tiny feet.
“Bellissimo,” Mama Stella proclaimed. As she continued to speak in her native language my mother cut her off.
“English, Mama,” she said. “The girls don’t understand Italian.”
“They know beautiful.” She threw her hands in the air. “If they don’t, I teach them. Like I teach them to cook for my boys.” She tapped the counter. “Cook!”
Nadia and Angelique smiled at one another but they did what Mama Stella told them to do. My grandmother could be a drill sergeant. It wasn’t often she allowed people or outsiders, as she would call them, into her kitchen. Sal was her choice out of the five brothers. When we were outside playing football or swimming, Sal would take solace in the kitchen. That was probably why he ran such a successful business at the winery. He’d been learning from his Italian grandmother.
“Gianni.” My mother spotted me staring. “Are you joining us?”
“No.” Mama Stella mumbled as she turned her sauce. “No, no.”
“It’s okay, Mama.” I smiled at Angelique. “I won’t bother you.”
“Not me I’m worried about.” She shook her finger. “Give her a kiss and then leave.”
Everyone laughed but I did as I was told as the other’s went about their business.
“Hi.” I trapped her between my hips and the counter.
Hi.” She bit her lip. “I’m cooking.”
“I see.” I swiped my finger over her nose, wiping the flour from it.
“It can be messy.”
“Are we having ravioli for dinner?” I asked. “It smells delicious.”
“I’ll send some over,” my mother said. “Vincenzo is coming if you want to join us.”
“I think Angelique and I will eat at my place. We’re going to watch a movie.”
“Can Vincenzo and I join you?” Nadia smirked. “We like a good movie.”
“Maybe next time.” I winked at my soon-to-be sister. “We’ll go out and celebrate your engagement.”
“That would be fun,” Angelique said.
“I’ll pack up dinner for you.” My mom rolled the meatballs. “Do you have wine?”
“Sal dropped off some the other day.” I took Angelique’s hand in mine. “Are you having fun?”
“The time of my life,” she responded. “I didn’t know I liked cooking this much.”
“Gianni.” My grandmother clapped her hands. “Partire.”
“What does that mean?” Angelique asked.
“She wants me to leave you alone.” I kept one of her hands in mine as I placed my other on her cheek. “Not before I steal a kiss.”
“Okay,” she shyly whispered. “A quick one.”
“Are you telling me how to kiss you?”
“Yes! I have to cook.”
“Good girl,” my mom encouraged her.
“I can’t win in here.” I gently pressed my lips to
Angelique’s, kissing her slowly, keeping my palm on her warm face, craving so much more.
“Gianni!” my grandmother yelled.
“I’m going.” Tough crowd. “I’ll see you at my place in a bit. I’ll leave the garage open. You can park your car in there.”
“Thanks.” She kissed my cheek. “See you soon.”
I gazed into her eyes for a few moments, trying to decide if I should stay here and answer my emails in the living room. I’d be close to her. When she went back to mixing the ricotta cheese in the bowl, I decided I’d be too distracted if I stayed here.
“Bye.” I kissed her again but when I turned around I saw my grandmother standing in the doorway. She curled her finger and motioned for me to come to her. We all did what Mama Stella wanted.
“Lei e bella.” She looked at Angelique.
“She is beautiful,” I agreed. “Very beautiful.”
“Lei e la tua.”
My one? “Puo’ essere.” I nodded. “Maybe,” repeating my thought in English.
She pinched my cheek and then went back to cooking. If Mama Stella thought Angelique was my one, I must be doing something right.
ANGELIQUE
Two hours later, I parked in Gianni’s garage. He came out, dressed in nothing but a pair of faded jeans. No shirt, no shoes... definitely not required. When he reached into the car to grab all the bags, I took in his crisp, fresh scent. He was freshly showered and more appetizing than any of the food in my car. His back muscles flexed when he effortlessly lifted the bags, causing his shoulders to bulge. I wanted him tonight and I wasn’t leaving until I got him.
“They kept you busy.” He headed into the house, holding the door open for me. “We can put these in the kitchen.”
Before I followed him, I removed my sneakers by the garage door. As I walked down the hall, I admired the shiny hardwood floors and pristine floor-length windows. His house was absolutely amazing. It was as inviting as the main house. Warm, welcoming, and comfortable.
“I’ll put the food in the warming drawer and we can unwind with a glass of wine. We’ll start with the salad if you’re really hungry.” He unpacked the bags, placing the hot food in the drawer. “What’s this?” He held up a white cardboard box tied with a string.
“Cheesecake.” I moved to stand next to him. “Some guy delivered a bunch of pastries to the kitchen. He said Santino helped him with something and he wanted to offer his thanks. I guess he owns the bakery.”
“Probably.” He shrugged as he placed the box in the refrigerator. “People are always showing their gratitude toward my family.”
“I haven’t properly expressed my gratitude toward you.” I ran my hands along his muscular chest.
“For what?”
“Being half-naked.” I slid my hands along his biceps and down his forearms. “It’s very pleasing.”
“You like what you see?”
“You could say that.”
“I could say a lot of things.” He nipped at my bottom lip. “I’d rather kiss you the way I wanted to in my mother’s kitchen.”
“Go for it.” My lips craved his as he pressed his to mine, kissing me softly, building the anticipation and igniting that fire inside me. The one I couldn’t seem to extinguish all week. I smoothed my hands along his hot torso, taking my time to explore his hard chest and defined stomach. The man had abs of steel.
Breaking the kiss, he created some distance between us but I didn’t want that. I moved closer. “I wasn’t finished.”
“Hmm...” He took my hands in his. “Maybe we should have a glass of wine.”
“We could but...” I’d already had two glasses of wine while cooking. It helped relax me but it did nothing to distract me from what I wanted. “I want to go to your bedroom and pick up where we left off.”
“Do you?” He lifted me onto the counter and stepped between my legs. “I liked having you in my bed but it requires copious amounts of control on my part.”
“You did a really good job the other night.” He didn’t need all that control.
“I would never do anything you didn’t want me to.” He rested his hands on my thighs. “I’ll always take care of you.”
“What if I wanted you to.”
“Wanted me to what?”
Be bold. Be brave. Tell him. “We’re spending so much time together. We’re getting closer every day.”
“These past few weeks have been special for me too.”
“You’re all I think about. You’re the last thought as I drift to sleep and the first thought when I open my eyes. I immediately check my phone every morning to see if there’s a message from you and you never disappoint.”
“I don’t ever want to disappoint you.” He took my face between his hands, his signature move, staring at me with an intensity I hadn’t seen in his eyes before. “I want to continue to get to know you. To grow as a couple.”
“We could be closer.”
“What are you asking?”
“I’m ready for us to take the next step. I want to be with you tonight.”
“It sounds like you’ve given this some thought.”
“It’s all I think about.”
“Why don’t I get you a glass of wine, and we can chill out on the couch? Watch a movie.” Kiss. Touch. “Revisit this idea in a bit?”
“No, I want you to be my first. I want you to make love to me.” I caressed his lips with mine. “Tonight, please.”
“Why are you so perfect?”
“I’m not perfect.” I closed my eyes, trying to make him understand. “Most of the time, I’m unsure if I’m doing the right thing. I don’t have much life experience but when I’m with you, I finally feel like I’m living. I don’t ever want to lose this... us.”
“Here’s the thing, Angel. I’ve given us some thought too. There’s a powerful force between us.”
“That’s why I want to be with you.”
“I’ve never wanted anything more but if I’m your first, I’m going to have to be your only. Are you prepared to be mine?”
“Don’t you know that’s all I’ve ever wanted?”
“That’s all I needed to hear.” He lifted me off the counter, took my hand, and led me up the back staircase.
Once we reached his bedroom, a strange calmness came over me. I would have thought I’d be nervous, scared, or clumsy but when I looked into his eyes any anxiety I had was replaced with trust, admiration, and care.
“I’ll only go as far as you want.” He took my hands in his. “We don’t have to go all the way.”
I nodded but I already knew how far I wanted him to go. “When I went away to college, I went on the pill.” I glanced down at the floor, remembering that I wanted to be bold. It was difficult when I was this close to him. “I’m not sure why. Maybe I wanted to be proactive and in control of my own body.”
“That was a good idea but what are you telling me?” He tilted my chin so I had to look into his blazing depths. “We have to be clear.”
“I’m trying.”
“Relax.” He kissed me. “I told you the truth when I said I hadn’t been with anyone in a while. I donate blood two times a year.”
“So do I.” I smiled but then I realized what he was saying. “Oh, you’re telling me that because you’re good.” Why did I have to be awkward around him? “Okay.” Did I come off as stupid as I sounded?
“Come on.” He led me to his bed. “Let’s see what happens.”
He dimmed the lamp by the bed and used his phone to stream soft music around the room. He set his phone on the nightstand before facing me. “I can’t get you out of my mind.” He kissed my jaw. “I used the pillow that you slept on the last time you were here all week because it smelled of you.”
I pressed my lips to his chest as I ran my hands over his arms, taking in his warmth, acclimating myself to his flesh. “I’ve thought about you too. What it would be like when we...”
“Did this?” He lifted my shirt over my head and tossed i
t behind him. “I like when you’re naked.” He trailed his fingers down the nape of my neck, along my spine, stopping at my bra. Without removing his lips from mine, he undid the clasp and took it from my trembling shoulders.
Stepping back, he took in my exposed breasts, his eyes darkening with lust. My nipples peaked in the wake of his stare. Reaching behind my head, I slipped off the band that held my hair, shaking it out and letting the curls cascade over my breasts.
“For a woman who has never seduced a man before, you’ve definitely got me under some wicked spell.”
“Who knew innocence could be so enticing?”
He dropped to his knees, gripping my pants at either side of my hips, drawing them down. His gaze never left mine. When my pants pooled around my ankles, he extended his hand to steady me as he removed them with his other. Resting on his knees, he slithered his palms up my thighs and to my waist.
“The other night I left these on.” When he pressed his lips to my mound, the heat of his breath caused my legs to twitch. “I wanted to maintain control.”
“I trust you completely.” I placed my hands on his, helping to slide my panties down. “We should take them off tonight.”
“Have you been scamming me?” He helped me step out of my panties. “You’re not as nervous as I thought you’d be.”
“You have a way of calming me.”
“This was very unexpected.” He slipped his fingers between my legs. “Waxed.” He smirked in that sexy way of his. “On the pill.” He gazed up at me. “You’re an anomaly.”
“Your big words turn me on.” I sucked in a breath when he pushed his fingers inside me. “I’m a contemporary girl. I read Cosmo.”
“You’re my girl now.” He kissed my stomach as he moved his fingers in slow, torturous circles. “There isn’t a magazine on this planet that can teach you what I’m about to.”
My insides pulsated when his stubble scraped against my hip. “Let’s get you comfortable.” Nudging me onto the bed, he spread my legs as he knelt between them. “Lay back.”
I did what he said, closing my eyes, and grasping the comforter. His tongue danced along my thighs while his fingers went deeper. I clenched around them, trying to adjust to the intrusion. Relax, I willed myself. This was what I had waited for. I saved myself for him. This wasn’t a dream. I was his. He wanted me the way I’d always hoped he would.