Page 71 of Tailored for You

I licked my lips, opened my mouth, and let Enzo feed me.

After a few bites, during which he alternated between feeding me and feeding himself, I giggled as lime juice dribbled down my chin.

Enzo’s thumb swiped the droplet and brought it to his mouth.

“I am capable of feeding myself,” I joked.

“Why would you do that when you have me?” he said as he gave me the last bite of the ceviche. “If it were up to me, you wouldn’t do anything unless you absolutely wanted to.”

I mulled over his words, thinking of all the things he had stepped in and helped me handle in the last two weeks—setting up a new studio, handling deliveries and payments, dropping Harper off in the morning.

All things that, besides dropping Harper off, I didn’t enjoy and took time away from working on things I wanted to focus on.

“Is that what you want?” I asked softly. “To take care of all my problems or things that I dread doing daily, so I only focus on what I love?” I swallowed, trying to parse out my thoughts in a way that didn’t come across accusatory. “Or is it because by doing all those things, I might feel indebted to you and do what you want?”

“And what do you think I want?” Enzo asked, putting down his fork and narrowing his eyes at me.

“Maybe help with some money laundering or something?” I shrugged.

“The last thing I need or want is to involve you in my business. Martina runs a clean business, and so will you. I won’t allow anything else. Cease with these foolish thoughts.” Enzo stood, picked up the bowl, and carried it to a rolling cart.

He came back with two plates, steaming hot, and placed one in front of me.

Sitting, he sliced into the meat. “I’m a patient man, Serena. This relationship isn’t what you’re used to, and I get that.”

“What do you mean by that?” I asked, confused. I had relationships, not many, but enough to know what to do in them and how to be a girlfriend.

Enzo sat, pulling his chair closer to me. Our knees were touching. “All I want is you and Harper. I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give.” He tapped a finger on the table. “You’re used to taking care of everyone and handling everything for the people you care about. With us, I will do that. It is my responsibility to make sure you and Harper are taken care of in all the ways you want. Nothing would make me happier than doing all I can to make you happy. All I ask for in return is you.”He made it sound so simple when it was anything but that.

“You just want me?” I asked because that was a big request, one I wasn’t sure I could fulfill.

“Your time, when it is free from work and Harper. Your body, when you want to give it to me. Your affection, attention.” He waved a fork at me. “You.”

I listened to him and thought about all the ways he was true to his word. He did so much for me without me having to ask. I’d never had more creativity flowing through me or as much energy to get my side projects done because I was sleeping well. And deliveries were taken care of.

Harper had so much room for fun and activities at Enzo’s house, and there was always someone to play with her. She loved being driven to school by Enzo and Donovan.

She had never been happier or more content.

Neither had I, and I knew it was because of the man who sat next to me.

It wasn’t that I was wavering in wanting Enzo. I did. So much.

I was afraid of trying again. Of trusting myself enough to make a decision where I put my heart on the line, only to have it ripped out from my chest.

I barely survived what Charles did to me. And I wasn’t sure if I truly loved him in the way I should have, even though I married him.

Enzo and I had kissed twice, and it was enough for me to know my feelings ran miles deeper with him than anything I had with Charles or anyone else.

If I had to go through losing Enzo, I wasn’t sure I’d make it out the other end.

“Hey,” Enzo said, his voice soft. He dragged a finger up and down my arm. “Where did you just go?”

“Sorry,” my lips twisted in a half smile, “sometimes I get in my head. What were you saying?”

“Serena, amore mio.” His smile was so big there were crinkles in the corners. “If you don’t want to tell me yet, that’s fine. I can wait until you're ready to reveal your secrets. With you, I learned to be a patient man.”

“When were you interested in me? Like romantically?” I thought about interactions since we first met, and kept coming up with nothing.