“Yes! This very exciting news, Massi. They’re ahead of schedule, which I was hoping would happen if I came early, butstill, there was no guarantee they’d get them done this quickly.”
She puts her phone down on the comforter, eyeing the gun in my hand, and raises a brow at me. “What exactly are you planning on doing with that?”
“Well, I was about to kill whoever the fuck had broken into our villa.”
Liana’s mouth tugs up into a smile. “Aww, did I scare you there for a second?” Leaning over, she gives me the sweetest fucking kiss on my lips, then says, “You know, it’s kind of hot how quick you reacted there.”
“Oh, yeah?” I say, wrapping my hand around the back of her neck. “Why don’t you show me how hot, huh?”
I kiss her, tugging her to me until she’s straddling my lap. I subtly place the gun back in the drawer, then wrap my hand around her waist.
Before it can get too far, Liana pulls away, placing her hands on my chest. “As much as I would love to do that, I have to get to Balistreri’snow. The head of the production team wants to meet with me immediately to go over the designs so they can work on the adjustments right away if need be.”
I let out a strained groan when she pushes herself off me and rolls off the bed. “I know, I’m sorry. I just really need to head over there so we can get these dresses finalized. We’re already so behind and we have our big event coming up.”
She leans over and gives me another kiss. “But I promise to make it up to you later.”
“How’re you getting there? Let me call a driver and I’ll go with you.”
“You don’t have to do that. Balistreri’s is sending a car for me now. I know you mentioned your dad wants you to meet with some contacts here, so why don’t you do that, and I’ll get this situated and thentonight…” She gives me another sweet kiss. “Tonight, I’m all yours.”
As much as I hate the idea of leaving her, I do need to meet up with my dad at some point.
“This isn’t exactly what I had in mind today,” I say.
“Oh yeah? And what did you have in mind?”
“I don’t know,” I say with a loose shrug. “Explore. Do cute couple-y, touristy shit.”
“Cute couple-y, touristy shit?” she says, quirking a brow at me.
“Yeah.” I brush her hair behind her shoulder. “And show this body what it’s like to be worshipped all fucking day.”
Goosebumps erupt on her skin, and a flush brightens her cheeks.
“But since you’d rather go to work without me…” I interlace my fingers and place them behind my head. Her eyes widen.
I’m not above usinganythingto convince Liana to spend the day with me. If that means flexing like a douchebag, then so be it.
She licks her lips, rolling her bottom one into her mouth, then makes eye contact with me again. Just when I think I’ve got her, she shakes her head as if she’s shaking herself out of a trance and says, “Ugh, you know I can’t. They’re going to be here soon, and I have to go.”
I let out a sigh. “Fine, but you owe me later, don’t forget that.”
“You better hold me to it,” she says with a wink, then makes her way to the en suite.
“I’m sending Gui with you, though.”
“I’ll be fine, Massi,” she calls out from over her shoulder.
“Nope. If I’m not going to be there, then Gui is the only other option. I don’t want you going by yourself.”
“Do you really think I have anything to worry about going to Balistreri’s?”
“I don’t know, but when it comes to you, I’ll never take that chance.” I walk over to the door of the en suite and place my hands on the frame. “Gui will go and stay with you the entire time. Please don’t argue with me.”
“Fine, he can come, but I need to know. Is there a reason for me to be concerned for my safety here in Sicily? Is there any bad blood between you and another family here?”
“No, we actually have great ties here, which is why my dad wants me to meet with some of his contacts. There are some very important allies here.”
