Page 90 of Humility

I opened my mouth to tell him to stay, but the door closed before I could get another word out. He was like a whirling dervish. Picking up the coffee, I took a sip and moaned as the rich and creamy flavor hit my tongue. It was perfect. Enzo, being on his toes, had some perks. Lifting the tray lid, I smiled at the thick waffle with berries and whipped cream.

“Okay, I can get used to this,” I whispered, cutting into the golden goodness.

I ate every last bite and then worked through my morning stretches despite being sore. If last night were any indication, I would need to stay limber. Wandering out of the room, I went in search of Enzo, but when I reached the bottom floor, I heard Angelo yelling and quietly made my way to his office. The door was open, and I poked my head inside to see him standing by the window, his arm braced on the frame.

“What do you mean you won’t give me the money? This is a solid business investment,” he said. “No, of course not. I need to expand to make more.” He drummed his fingers on the wood. “It would take too long to sell one of the other properties. I need the money available for Wednesday. I could sell one after Wednesday if you’re wanting it as collateral.” He hung his head, and I could see the stress on his face. I suddenly felt terrible for spending so much money on the fancy greenhouse. I didn’t know what this deal was, but it seemed important to him. “You know I’m good for the money. This will more than double my productivity. Did you even look at the sales projections?” His hand curled into a fist. “I’m not high risk. Look at the numbers again.” He shook his head, and I could see just enough of his eyes in the reflection of the glass to know he was contemplating murder. “Mr. Rhodes is not a patient man. He’ll back out if I don’t have the money. That means it will take me twice as long to pay the lenders back for the loan. Fine.”

“Fucking Cogsworth,” Angelo growled as he hung up the phone and spun around like he was going to throw it when he spotted me. He froze, and the look in his eyes softened.

“Good morning. Sorry, that was a business call. I hate banks and investment companies. Despite what they advertise, they are all useless.” He smiled and came around his desk to meet me as I walked further into the room.

“Is this because of the greenhouse? I only got one that big to annoy you,” I said, and he laughed.

“I figured that. It was either that or you decided to grow something illegal.” I blushed as he teased me. “No, the greenhouse is not the issue. I need much more than that, but I’ll figure it out. I always do.” Angelo wrapped his arms around my waist, and the lingering memory from my dream flooded my mind. Hugging him back, I laid my head over his heart. “Not that I don’t love it when you’re spitting mad, but it’s nice not to worry about you stabbing me.”

“Oh, I’m still thinking about it,” I said, and he chuckled, the rumble deep under my ear.

“I have a dinner meeting on Wednesday, and I’d love for you to come with me. I could give you a tour of my business first.”

“What do you do?” I asked, and he smiled wide, reminding me of the mischievous look he got when we were younger.

“I’ll let you taste.” I lifted an eyebrow as I eyed him suspiciously. “You have to close your eyes.”

“Hmm, I remember you doing this once before, and it ended badly for me.” I crossed my arms, remembering the spider he put in my hands. I’d never screamed so loud as I ran for a teacher while I heard him laughing like a hyena behind me.

“No spiders, I promise. In fact, no insects at all.” He smiled as he went behind his desk and pulled out two shot glasses.

“No reptiles either.”

“Nothing living, I swear.”

“Okay then.” I took a seat on the couch and closed my eyes.

“I’m going to give you two shots to drink. I want you to tell me which one is better,” he said, his voice getting closer.

“What if I choose the wrong one?”

“Well, then I’ll have to spank your ass until you can’t sit down, then fuck you until you pass out. I mean, that seems fair.”

I wiggled on the couch and cleared my throat as the thought of him doing that crossed my mind. “Then, I better choose wisely.”

“Or not….” I could hear him smirk as he poured liquid into what I assumed was a shot glass. “This is the first one.” Holding my hand out, he sat the little glass between my fingers, and I brought it to my nose to sniff.

“Whiskey. Smells elegant and floral and has a note of nut.” I took a sip, and it was rich but burned all the way down, and I could feel it in my belly. “Good flavor, but burns a little too much for me.”

Angelo handed me a glass of water, and I rinsed my mouth.

“Now, this one.”

I repeated the process and took a double take on the scent, it made me want to smile and buy a bottle without even trying it. “This is very rich with a sweetness like honey, cinnamon, and notes of vanilla. It smells incredible. I could picture cooking with this.” I took a sip, which was just as smooth as it smelled. “Wow. It has all the traditional whiskey flavor, but it’s smooth and has no bite or harsh burn. I can taste the hit of cinnamon, but it’s not overpowering.” I opened my eyes and looked at the dark liquid. “This is delicious.”

Angelo was smiling so wide I thought he would break out in song. He cupped my face, his excitement contagious as he kissed me, his tongue invading my mouth and licking at the whiskey on my lips.

“I guess I chose the right one, or was it the wrong one? Hard to tell with the punishment threat,” I teased as he grabbed two bottles off the table. I recognized his family’s whiskey right away. His father prided himself on the secret recipe passed down for generations.

“This was the first one you tried. I’d been trying to get my father to create another whiskey line for years, but he wouldn’t hear of it.” He held out the second bottle and smirked. I stared at the black and gold label, The Genie’s Jinn. It was so like Angelo to go against the grain, and I loved it. “I made this one when I left Italy for good and settled here.” He knelt in front of me. “It tastes how I remember your sweet lips tasting on my tongue. This is you in a bottle.”

I searched his face, my throat clogged with emotion. “You really thought about me all this time?”