He doesn't conceal his initial hesitance, and my mood sours. Carlo doesn't want me around his sisters, and Faro doesn't want me around his wife. It's going to be a very lonely existence if I remain here.
But then, Faro surprises me by sending her number. "I think Aurora would enjoy getting to know you better." I'm smiling from ear to ear when my bodyguard turns to go again.
"Dinora, you may go, too," Carlo says, removing his suit jacket. "I'm taking my wife out for dinner."
"Where are we going?" I ask as our maid follows Faro into the elevator.
He strides toward me, my skin tingling in anticipation of having his hands on me. "Wherever you desire. I want to hear all about your first day." He gives me a slow, deep kiss that gets my engine revving. This man is temptation in the flesh.
"I'm in the mood for pizza. With lots of pineapple."
He makes a face. "Why the hell would anyone-"
"At home, just you and me," I clarify. "How long do you think it would take for them to deliver it?"
Chuckling, he pulls out his phone, promising they'll take at least a half hour.
***
Over an hour later and wearing only his robe, I'm still catching my breath from our vigorous sofa activities when we dig into cold pizza with lots of pineapple.
"This is an abomination," he grumbles, eyeing the pineapple.
"This from a man who does the things you do," I say, dryly. "You'll eat it anyway."
He does, and we discuss my day in detail. Carlo promised to come home early for this and did. There's a concerning increase of flutters in my chest lately.
"What were you playing on the piano when I arrived?" he asks.
"Nothing special. Just something I'm writing."
"Would you play it for me?"
I flush at the very thought. I can sing songs written by others easily enough, but the musicIwrite is another matter. "It's not good."
"I'd like to hear it."
"I'll consider it at some point," I say, remembering his similar words this morning in response to my suggestion.
Shaking his head, he gives me a knowing smile. "Francesca, would you like to invite my sisters over after school one day?"
I grin and nod, grabbing another slice of the pizza he doesn't like but ordered anyway.
***
"I'm having a late lunch with your wife today, Warden," I tell Faro as we're leaving school.
"I'm aware." Of course, he is. It doesn't dim my excitement about possibly making a friend here. "Dinora is making your lunch."
"But we texted about going out for-"
"Dinora is making your lunch," he repeats, firmly.
"You're not my father," I snap.
"You're goddamn right about that," he snaps back.
Heat shoots into my face, knowing he hates Da and what he did. Folding my arms over my chest, I glare out the window.
