Page 258 of Valentino

Fuck’s sake.

I put my coffee down with a thud and go to the front door, quietly open it, and sure enough there are two men standing in the hallway looking very unimpressed.

“Hello.” I fake a smile. “I’m Anna.”

“Hello, Anna, I’m Gino and this is Luigi. We’re just here to check on Valentino.”

“I told you already, he’s asleep.”

“If you don’t mind standing aside.” They brush past me and walk into the apartment.

I cross my arms, annoyed.

They walk through the apartment and eventually open the bedroom door.

“Boss?” Luigi says.

Valentino’s eyes open and he leans up on his elbow. “What are you doing?”

They glance at each other. “Oh, we….” They glance at each other. “We were checking on you.”

“If I need you, I will call you.”

“You weren’t answering your phone.”

“Because I’m fucking asleep,” Valentino snaps.

“Sorry.” They back out of the room and turn to me. “His suitcases are just in the hallway. We’ll grab them now.”

“Thank you,” I reply. “Could you bring them in, please?” They wheel the suitcases in and then disappear out the door. I kind of feel sorry for them.

“We’re not going anywhere if you guys want to take a few hours off,” I tell them.

They exchange glances.

“We’ll call you with half an hour to spare if we are going anywhere so that you have time to get back in time.”

“As you wish.” With a polite nod, they force a smile.

“Thanks for looking out for him, I do appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome.”

I close the door and go in search of my man and find him sleepy and crumpled, still in the bed. His eyes are drowsy, and clearly still trying to wake up. “Sorry,” he murmurs as he rubs his eyes.

“I’m sorry they woke you.” I push his hair back from his forehead. “I was letting you sleep in today.”

He holds his hands out for me, I lie down beside him and rest my head onto his chest. His fingers slide up over my shoulders and he kisses my temple. “What time is it?”

“Eleven thirty.”

“Hmm…that is odd for me.” I feel him smile against my forehead. “No wonder they were freaking out.”

“You’re allowed to be tired, you know.” I kiss his chest. “Let’s have a lazy day,” I murmur against his skin. “It’s raining and a perfect curl up, watch Netflix and sleep kind of day.”

“Hmm,” he mumbles as his fingers smooth over my hair, his eyes are already closed again.

I lean up onto my elbow and watch him sleep, he’s all soft and loveable. It’s not often that I get to see Valentino naked and relaxed. His body is usually hard and angry, fueled by arousal, and it’s no secret that letting his guard down is his least favorite thing. Until last night, he’s never done it before with me, and now that he has I am addicted.