If she knew even half of what I was planning, she’d run from me, screaming. Or she should. But if she did, she wouldn’t get far. Because I’ll never let her go.
She shakes her head, stepping closer and craning her neck to look up at me. “I’m not afraid of you, Tommaso. But…I am scared.”
My thumb presses harder over her thundering pulse. My words are halted, though, when her eyes glisten with tears.
“It scares me…this thing between us. How fast I’ve fallen,” she admits, and my heart hammers painfully. “How intense it feels. How unreal.”
A tear slips free to land on her cheek, and I brush it away. “Why the tears?”
“Because…” She closes her eyes, and there’s doubt staring back at me when she opens them again. “Because you’d never want a woman like me…not truly or in the ways that matter in our world.”
I’m struck speechless.
“I’m not beautiful enough. Or refined or elegant enough, or—”
“Stop,” I say harshly. “You’re never to speak of yourself like that. As being lesser.” Both my hands frame her face, holding her so she stays looking at me and understands. “As being anything other than perfect.”
She scoffs, then snorts. And squeaks in horror.
And I burst out laughing, wrapping my arms around her to keep her to me. “You’re absolutely perfect.” My humor fades, and I sober so she understands I’m serious. “You’re the most exquisite creature I’ve ever seen, Gina.”
“Tommaso… Look at me.”
“I am,il mio sole.”
“Well, your sun must be blinding you because I’m standing here with my crazy hair and sweatpants, no make-up—”
“None of that creates beauty.”
“Says the man who I’ve only ever seen in a perfectly tailored—not to mention, expensive as fuck—suit.” I hike my brow at her cursing, not hating it, and remain silent for her to say what’s on her mind. “And your perfectly styled hair. Your calm and controlled demeanor.”
I smile, then reach down and hike her up around my waist, and she naturally wraps her legs and arms around me as if we do this every day.
“What are you doing?” She’s breathless.
I walk with her over to a higher raised slab of concrete and gently set her down on it.
“What are you doing, Tommaso?”
I answer by unbuttoning my suit jacket and shrugging it off. I take off my weapons holster and set it on the ground, where I can quickly grab a gun if I need to.
Her eyes are wide, traveling over my broad chest and arms encased in my white shirt. I spread my jacket out on the makeshift altar that will have to do for now, pick her up, and place her on it so she’s not directly on the cold concrete.
“Tommaso.” Her voice is shaky, trembling. “I’m a virgin,” she whispers.
I pinch her chin between my finger and thumb. “I know. And that isn’t what’s happening right now.”
Disappointment cascades over her features before she hides it, and her long, graceful throat moves as she swallows.
“We won’t be having sex…not tonight,” I say, both for her as well as a stern reminder to myself.
“Then what are we doing?”
“I’m shedding a bit of my armor.”
Her brow pinches in confusion before she quickly realizes what I mean. “Your suit. It’s your armor.”
“I can’t very well get naked right now.”
