We eat in companionable silence after that, and the salmon, baby potatoes, and green vegetable medley Ana prepared is delicious.
“It’s so peaceful here,” Valentina says, finishing before me. Her gaze roams beyond the patio to the gardens below and the dock below that. “The only sounds are the birds chirping in the trees and the gentle roll of the water. I’ve always lived in cities or places with lots of noise. This is idyllic.”
“I’m glad you like it. I feel the same way, and I come out here as often as I can. I don’t like the bustle of the city. This place soothes my soul.”
“How long have you lived here?”
“Almost seventeen years. I bought it shortly after Massimo and I moved back to the US.”
She lifts her wineglass as her brows climb to her hairline. “You lived overseas?”
I swallow the last bite of food and dab my mouth with my napkin before turning to give her my full attention. Perhaps if I open up to her, she’ll open up to me. “Let’s move to the couch, and I’ll tell you all about it.” I pull back her chair and help her to her feet, grabbing the wine cooler and my own wineglass. We settle in one of the soft outdoor couches to the left of my patio. I top off our wineglasses and put the bottle back in the cooler on the table.
“Your house is stunning,” she says as I pull her closer and slide my free arm around her shoulders.
“I’ve spent a lot of time adding to it and redecorating over the years. The outdoor spaces are some of my favorite things about the property.” As I lean back, with the woman who has captured my heart snuggled into my side, drinking the delicious crisp sauvignon blanc and surveying the gorgeous grounds of my home and the stunning view before us, my heart fills with pride and happiness.
Life really doesn’t get much better than this.
“You bring peace to my soul, Valentina,” I say, looking down at her. “I can’t remember when I ever felt this contented.”
“Same,” she shyly agrees.
“You belong here. With me.”
Silence greets me, and I don’t like it. My words don’t appear to be getting through to her at all.
“Tell me where you lived before here,” she says in a blatant redirection, but I’ll allow it.
“Massimo and I left home at eighteen to go to college overseas. I got a business degree, and Massimo got an IT degree. We invested wisely and heavily during our college years, amassing a considerable amount of money. After we graduated, we started our own business, which we have grown very successfully.”
“What exactly do you do?” she asks in between sipping her wine.
“Initially we imported Italian goods into the US, like olive oil, cheese, pasta, herbs. Today our business is focused on real estate, property development, and drug production, shipping, and distribution for themafiosoin the US.” This shouldn’t be news to her. Everyfamigliaacross the US is supplied by us from our production plant in Cali, Mexico.
“No wonder you can afford all of this.”
“I have more money than I know what to do with,” I admit.
“That must be nice.”
“It’s nice to not have to worry about it. To be able to take care of my family and know they’ll always be provided for. But I lead a busy, stressful life, and juggling all my different responsibilities is challenging.”
“Is that why you never married?”
I take a healthy mouthful of wine, crossing one leg over my knee. I curl my arm tighter around her, peering into her piercing green eyes. “It’s not the main reason.”
“What is?” Her fingers curl on my chest. “You’re a real catch, Don Maltese, and all the women love you.”
Do you?
“I’m not interested in them.”
She playfully swats at my chest. “Stop deflecting. You know you could have any woman. I’m betting you’ve been with your fair share.” She quirks a brow in silent question.
“I’m nearly forty-four, Valentina, and I haven’t been a saint, but these past few years, I haven’t been with many women.” I brush my thumb across her lip, wanting to plant a couple of seeds now. “I use a sex club in the city if I want to fuck, but I haven’t been there for months.”
Her cheeks pink, and it’s adorable. “A sex club. Hmm.”
