“Fuck, this looks delicious.” He looks at me with so much love in his eyes that I melt.
“I like cooking for you.” I hated cooking for Dom because he demanded it and he was ungrateful, rarely complimenting or thanking me. Fiero is the opposite, and he has taken such good care of me. This is the least I can do to show my appreciation. Plus, I’ll die of boredom without something to occupy my time.
“You’re one in a million, kitten. I’m so lucky to have found you.”
“You’re very romantic, Don Maltese,” I say, heaping salad onto my plate. “It’s most unexpected but appreciated.”
“You bring out this side of me,” he says, helping himself to garlic bread, salad, and coleslaw. “You make me a better man. I don’t care if I’ve only known you a week. I will love you forever, Valentina.”
Tears prick my eyes, but they’re happy ones. There is no point deluding myself any longer. I’m not leaving this man. I’m staying right here where I belong. I love him too, crazy as it sounds. He makes me incredibly happy, and even if it doesn’t last, I know he’ll always take care of me because heisa good man. Besides, staying here is way safer than fleeing on my own. Dom’s threat seems to have died with him, but until I know for sure, I’ve still got to keep my guard up. Fiero will protect me, protect my family, and it’s still needed because Cesco is smart in a way Dom wasn’t, and he won’t give up easily.
“I’ve upset you.” He sets his silverware down.
“No, babe. These are happy tears. I’m the lucky one, Fiero. I didn’t believe my life could turn completely upside down in a week but it has. All because of you.”
Fiero is at work all day Saturday, and I’m bored out of my mind. I haven’t been answering my siblings’ calls because there is so much I can’t tell them yet and I don’t want to lie. Avoidance is the best strategy for now. Clearly, they have heard the news about Dom and most likely want to know if I’m coming home now. I also ignored Vitto’s call for similar reasons, but I can’t be disrespectful to the Florida don either. I’ll talk to Fiero about it when he’s home.
My fingers curl around my locket as I lie on the couch outside reading. I must have dozed off because when I wake the sun is hanging low in the sky and Fiero is sitting in a chair watching me. He’s wearing a suit with the tie missing and the top two buttons on his blue dress shirt open.
“What time is it?” I ask in a sleepy voice.
“A little after eight,” he says.
I bolt upright. “Shit. I didn’t make anything for dinner.”
“I’ve got it covered,” he says, moving over beside me. He pulls me into his arms, and I instantly melt. It’s amazing how incredible I feel when he holds me. How protected and cherished he makes me feel. “Now I can breathe,” he murmurs, closing his eyes and resting his chin on my head. I love that we both feel the same and it’s on more of a level footing.
We sit like that for a few minutes in silence, and it’s blissful.
Fiero glances at the time on his watch and stands, taking me with him. “Come.” He holds my hand the entire journey to his bedroom and into the bathroom. I gasp at the scene awaiting me. The tub by the window is full, red rose petals resting prettily on top of the water. Notes of jasmine and vanilla tickle my nostrils from the countless scented candles covering the window.
“What’s all this?” I ask, looking up at him.
“Do I need a reason to spoil you?”
“You spoil me every day,” I say, not protesting when he pulls my shirt over my head and discards it on the floor. My shorts are next, swiftly followed by my panties and bra until I’m standing before him completely bare. His eyes glimmer with heat, and my core pulses with need.
A wry chuckle escapes his lips. “Is my kitten wet for me?” Leaning in, he grazes his teeth along the column of my neck.
“Always, Fiero.”
He slides one finger inside me slowly, and I grip his arm. My pout is instant when he removes it, bringing it to his mouth and sucking deep. My chest heaves up and down as need floods every nook and cranny of my body.
“You’re perfect.” He kisses my lips briefly. “Hold that thought for later,” he adds, offering me his hand and helping me into the bath. I moan as the warm scented water eases my muscles when I lie back. “Here.” He hands me a glass of champagne.
“Aren’t you joining me?”
“Tempting as it is, I have a few things to set up.” He kneels at the edge of the tub and leans in to kiss me passionately. “Take your time and then dress in a pretty dress. Wear your hair down. Then go to the patio and wait there.”
“This is all very mysterious.”
He caresses my face. “All will be revealed soon.” He kisses me again, and he seems nervous when he pulls back.
“What’s wrong?” I cup one cheek.
“Nothing, honey. You’re so beautiful, and I’m so very much in love with you,” he says, nestling into my touch.
This would be a good time to tell him I love him too, but the words get stuck in my mouth. “I know” pops out instead, the lamest of lamest responses.
