“It’s a little weird. Is it a plug?”
He nods. “It’s for beginners, so it should feel okay. Just give your body a little time to adjust to the sensation.”
I bite on the inside of my mouth. “You want me to wear this tonight, all night? Are you going to fuck my ass later?”
“Yes, and not tonight.” He kisses the end of my nose. “We’re warming up to that.” He brushes a quick kiss to my glossed lips. “Grab your purse. We’re leaving now.” He walks into the bathroom, and I hear the tap running a few seconds later.
I almost take a tumble in my heels when we step outside to discover a shiny black limousine is waiting. “I thought we were keeping a low profile?”
“It’s not unusual to see limousines pulling up on Broadway, and I’m willing to risk it because I want tonight to be special.” He pulls me in close as the driver gets out to open the back door. “It’s our first date. I want it to be memorable. Something amazing we can tell our kids and grandkids about.”
Thank God he’s holding me as he escorts me to the car because I’m sure I’d face-plant the ground for real this time.
“You want kids?” I ask when we’re settled side by side in the back with the privacy screen up.
“I want them with you,” he confirms, opening a bottle of Cristal champagne and pouring it into two flutes.
I’m rendered speechless as I accept a glass of bubbly.
“To us. To making memories.” He clinks his glass against mine, and I take a large mouthful to avoid responding.
I’m so confused. Today, I got him to show me how to navigate the boat, and he even let me pilot it for a while.I have a way to escape now, so why doesn’t that make me happy? Why am I considering staying? Am I that easily bought?I strongly believe that Fiero is not doing this for any reason other than to make me happy. I no longer believe there’s an ulterior motive. He’s a good man, but he’s also quite demanding, and though it feels like I’ve known him forever, I haven’t. I don’t really know him.What if I give him a chance and stay after he kills my husband and it doesn’t work out? Will he let me go or trap me here? I might only have this one chance to escape, and how can I even be considering not taking it?
“I’m coming on too strong,” he says, lightly touching my chin. “I’m scaring you.”
“A little,” I admit.
He releases a frustrated sigh. “Why do I feel like I’m being tested and if I don’t pass you’ll disappear like mist when the sun rises?”
“It’s not a test, Fiero. All this talk of forever and babies and being yours is freaking me out a little.”
“I just want everything with you. Is that so bad?”
“No.” I caress his smooth face. He shaved for me. “But this is all happening superfast, and you’ve got to give me time.”
“I’ll try.”
I roll my eyes and take another sip of champagne.
“What? I can’t help it. I’ve waited my entire life for you, Valentina. I don’t feel like waiting any longer.”
“You’re very romantic for a playboy.”
“Reformed playboy. I haven’t been that man for years.”
“You continue to surprise me,” I truthfully admit, accepting a top off as we enter the outskirts of the city. “Thank you for doing all of this. It’s extremely thoughtful.”
“Nothing is too much trouble for my kitten.” He leans in and kisses me before pulling back and staring at me strangely.
“What?”
“I don’t want to ruin tonight by introducing any topics that will upset you, but I need to ask one thing.”
I instantly sit up straighter, my gut informing me I won’t like this. “Ask me.” My tone is harsher than I intend, and I shift on the seat, feeling the plug moving inside me.
“We need to have a talk tomorrow about Dominic and things you might know.”
My mouth turns dry as I nod. “Okay.”
