“Oh, I’ve got imagination to spare, fiore mio.”
I pluck a strawberry from the bowl and hold it out to him. “Want one?”
Dan scrunches his nose playfully. “Not really a fan.”
I blink. “You chew strawberry gum all the time.”
His grin softens. “Because it reminds me of you. My strawberry gelato girl. The hopeless romantic who turned my whole damn world upside down.”
Warmth fills my chest. “I do things that remind me of you too.”
He caresses my lip with his thumb. “Like setting your house alarm to the date we first met?”
I nod. “I also moved up north to feel closer to you.” Heat flares in my cheeks, but I pop the strawberry into my mouth, grinning around it like an idiot as I lift my buttered toast.
“All this time you’ve been hiding in plain sight.” He leans over, stealing a bite of my toast, his teeth grazing my fingers. His gaze lingers on me, warm and hungry in a way that has nothing to do with the food.
I pretend to scowl. “Oi, that’s mine.”
“Correction,” he replies smoothly, kissing my cheek again, trailing it towards my jaw, “you’re mine. Therefore, so is your toast.”
“You’re a caveman.”
“Maybe. But this caveman makes a mean breakfast.” He plucks a piece of bacon from the plate, popping it into his mouth. His eyes crinklewith amusement.
Sir-Pounce-A-Lot interrupts, batting at the rose petals on the tray with a lazy paw.
“Did you run out to buy me flowers this morning?”
Dan chuckles, reaching over to stroke the cat’s fur. “I snuck over to Mrs. Aranda’s garden and plucked it from her bush.”
“She’s very protective of her roses,” I say, popping a forkful of egg into my mouth.
Dan hums, dragging his fingers slowly down my bare thigh where the dress has ridden up under the tray. “So am I.”
My breath catches slightly, but I keep my cool, lifting my chin. “Careful, D’Angelo. I might get used to this and you being in my bed.”
“Good,” he murmurs, leaning in to steal a kiss. “Because I’ve got no intention of leaving it.”
Our lips meet, slow and soft at first, then deeper, until the tea is forgotten, the breakfast cooling between us, and all I can think about is the way his mouth feels against mine.
Dan pulls the tray off my lap and sets it on the bedside table, ignoring the slight protest from Sir-Pounce-A-Lot, who plays with a stray crust. Dan stretches out beside me, warm and lazy, as if he’s got all the time in the world.
“Right,” he says, linking his fingers behind his head, his biceps flexing in a way that is completely unnecessary and utterly distracting. “We’ve had breakfast in bed. I’ve cooked for you, given you multiple orgasms…” He shoots me a wicked grin. “I’m basically husband material.”
I scoff, but my lips twitch at the corners. “You’re not doing bad. A little full of yourself.”
He rolls onto his side, propping himself on one elbow to look at me properly. “Not full of myself. Just full of plans.”
I arch a brow, pretending not to melt at the way his gaze drags slowly over me, soft and full of things he’s not quite saying yet. “What plans?”
He sighs, brushing a knuckle along my cheek. “Today’s plan is to keep you in bed as long as possible. The next plan is to take you out on a date. I have the perfect place the next time we’re in Rome.” He kisses the corner of my mouth. “But first…”
His hand trails down, fingers brushing along my thigh beneath the tangled hem of my dress, sending a thrill up my spine.
“First?” I prompt, my voice a little breathier than intended.
“First,” he murmurs against my skin, “I find the man who put that doubt in your head.” His tone dips. “The one who made you think you’re not enough. I’m guessing he’s the reason you don’t like to be naked with me, and I can’t have that. I’ll make sure he never so much as looks in your direction again.”
