I hear a rustle and the clink of china and silverware from the living room. Ah, there he is. Already up and at it before the crack of dawn. Can't even enjoy a lazy morning fuck with his legs wrapped around my waist. But I guess I should know better than to expect Darian to sleep in, no matter how thoroughly I wore him out last night.
The muscles in my back ripple with a satisfying stretch as I roll onto my side, considering my next move. Join Darian in the sitting room for a civilized morning coffee? Or lure him back to bed and put these satin sheets to scandalous use before the first emergency of the day?
Because there's alwayssomethingwith Julian, down at the Retreat. And if it's not that, then there's some problem with the Bernardis. Sandro's been bringing me into inner circle meetings lately to listen in. Pedretti tells me it's because Sandro has big plans for me. I guess the Boss really was impressed with my work during the parley, despite everything.
Or he feels guilty that I have to put up with his little brother's bullshit on a daily basis.
But even Julian is growing on me these days. He's always real polite to me despite the day to day issues down at the Retreat, and practically bends over backward to be nice to Darian.
But a leopard doesn't change its spots—not overnight, anyway—and I'm still wary of his motives.
My train of thought derails when the bedroom door cracks open and Darian appears with a loaded breakfast tray. "IthoughtI heard you stirring."
He's perfection, from the honey-blond hair to the liquid amber eyes that meet mine. "Hungry?"
"Fuckin' starving. And not only for food."
Darian ignores my second comment as he arranges the tray on the side table with a soft clink. "Well then, you're in luck. I made us a full English breakfast this morning."
I want to pounce, to rip that robe right off him and have him screaming my name before those eggs ever hit a plate. But damn, they do smell good. And breakfast in bed with Darian soundsalmostas good as sex.
"Okay. Food first. Sex after?"
"You have that meeting with Don Castellani," he reminds me.
I groan. He's right. Sandro called for a meeting this morning, and I'm pretty curious about it. Still, I hate to be pulled away from Darian too early.
He smiles, strips off his robe and climbs back into bed naked. "I suppose we could just stay in bed forever. Pretend the outside world doesn't exist?"
I chuckle, running my hand down the smooth expanse of his back. "That's so damn tempting. But we can't stay in bedforever. Maybe until next week, but then we have that trip to Oregon."
Darian's mom is expecting us for a mini-vacation. Julian agreed at once when we both asked for time off. Like I said, it's kind of nice having him feel like heowesus right now.
Darian perks up at the thought of our vacation, a smile lighting his face. "I can't wait for you to meet her, Raffi. She's going to love you."
"Well, Iampretty lovable," I tease, dodging the playful swat Darian aims at my head.
Truth is, I'm nervous. I don't know if Marina Hayes—Darian came clean to me about adding the Thornfield himself, which I thought was hilarious—is really going to be thrilled at the idea of her son dating a made man, just like she did.
But I guess if I can face down the Castellani brothers, I can handle Darian's mom.
We laze in bed for a few more minutes, trading kisses and toast, before duty really does call and we reluctantly start our day.
"Tonight," he promises as I dash out the door. "Tonight, all the sex you can handle."
"That's a whole lot," I shout over my shoulder, and I smile to hear his laughter echoing down the hallway after me.
I arrive just as Julian does for the meeting, and I even give him a cordial nod. We file in and Sandro waits until everyone's settled before speaking.
"Thank you all for coming. I'll get right to it. Nero Andretti has approached me with a request to join our Family." A murmur of surprise ripples through the room, and I feel my own eyebrows climbing towards my hairline. Nero Andretti wants to become a Castellani?
And what's more—Sandro's actually considering it?
"He claims that La Contessa—my mother—has turned against him," Sandro goes on. "He seeks my protection." He holds up a hand, quieting the chatter. "I am asking for advice on the matter, but I will make the final decision."
Montanari and Lombardo are fiercely opposed. Pedretti and Jack don't like it either, but they're more measured in their opinions. Leo looks torn. "I don't like the guy much," he says, "but I was a Bernardi, once. It'd be hypocritical for me to shit on the guy just because he's got history."
"Julian?" Sandro asks.
