Realizing I don’t have his number, I ask Faro for it before sending a text to my husband for the first time –
It’s beautiful. What’s it going to cost me?
He doesn’t reply right away so I go up to the bedroom, hoping to find something appropriate for the theater tonight. In the bathroom, I spy his aftershave by the sink. On impulse, I apply a tiny bit. The effect is immediate, heat licking up my spine and settling between my legs. His barely-there kiss before he left has left me wanting more. Sucking in a deep breath, I know one way I’d like to thank him for my gift.
An answer to my text bounces back as I turn toward my lingerie drawer –
Wear something sexy for me tonight, and we’ll call it even.
Oh, I will.
24
Carlo
From a young age, I only expected marriage to be another duty to fulfill in a life devoted to the Trio. Spending an entire day simplythinkingabout my wife when there's business to conduct has never been part of the plan. Hell, I couldn't stop staring at my phone today, reassuring myself she was exactly where I expect her to be and not about to disappear on me like a precious pearl washed away by the waves.
Perhaps it is a sickness that plagues most newlyweds to some degree. Perhaps in time, I won’t think of her so much when we’re apart.
Yet, as I enter the penthouse at six o’clock sharp to find Francesca playing her new piano with her cascade of red curls pulled up so that her slender neck beckons my mouth, I know I will never tire of this.
Her fingers still when she spies me, the pink bow of her lips parting into a wide smile I cannot help but return. “Did you get tickets?” she asks, excitedly.
“I did.”
She squeals, jumping up from the bench before seeming to remember something. Her girlish grin turns sultry in a heartbeat, and her hips swing enticingly as she slowly paces toward me. “Welcome home, Mr. Vicini. You requested sexy. Do you approve?”
She spins so I may admire her dress, a deep forest green silk slip of a thing, and my mouth waters seeing so much of her creamy skin on display. The skirt falls to her knees, but the tiny straps over her smoothshoulders would be so easy to nudge aside. “You aced the assignment, but I may kill a few unfortunate fuckers for staring tonight.”
She laughs as if I’m joking. "It wasridiculouslyexpensive."
"You're worth every penny." She looks down self-consciously. Ah, she's been treated as a dependent relative for too long. It's my mission to cure her of that. "Our dinner reservations are for after the performance. Have you eaten anything?”
“I had a late lunch with Dinora,” she answers, stepping closer and running her hands over my chest. I hadn’t expected her to touch me so freely, but her hands still when she feels my gun holster.
“I don’t go anywhere unarmed.” Especially now that I have her to protect. “Shall we go?” I murmur, staring down at her soft lips. I want to kiss her so fucking bad. I don't want to stop at kissing either.
But there’s a flicker of uncertainty dancing in those blue eyes when she nods, so I wrap my arm around her waist and escort her to the elevator.
***
She was entranced during the performance – and I, in turn, was entranced by her – but that flicker of anxiety returns as we're seated at the French restaurant. She's observing the staff with a concerned look when it hits me. “No one here would know or care who your father was if that’s what’s troubling you.”
She exhales. “Okay, good. I don’t know what half this stuff is,” she adds, scanning the menu.
“That would be the wine list.” She flushes with embarrassment which isn’t what I want. “Would you prefer I choose a bottle for us?”
“Sure but…” She glances around again before whispering, “They might card me.”
“No, they won’t.”
“This is one ofyourrestaurants, isn’t it?”
“Technically,I’mnot in the restaurant business, but they know who I am.” I don’t add that they pay us for protection.
“Could you choose a white wine? The red wine the other night had a funny aftertaste and gave me an awful headache.”
Nodding, I silently regret the sedative caused her discomfort. “We’ll limit ourselves to a glass or two and switch to water so you may enjoy your entrée, alright?”
