Her words are a bare breath on the gentle breeze coming through the ajar doors to her balcony, and my arms tighten.
“You’re a motherfucking queen. You deserve to be treated accordingly, and it’s my job to ensure that.”
Her breathing is even, and I can feel that she’s right on the edge of slumber when I press a kiss to the back of her neck,inhaling her sweet cinnamon scent deeply before whispering, “Now sleep,Stellina. I’ll keep the dragons at bay while you rest.”
CHAPTER 21
ELODIE
My eyes flutteropen when I feel the rays of the morning sunshine on my face, and it takes a hot minute to remember why my body is on fire.
I smile as I look down at Rafe’s strong forearm wrapped around my side, holding me close with my back against his broad chest. He’s impossibly warm, and I know I should probably move away from him to cool down, but I can’t bring myself to leave the haven of his embrace.
My stomach flutters as I recall what passed between us in the music room last night. As I remember just how desperate I’d been for his touch. As I recollect his dark eyes piercing me while he’d brought me unprecedented euphoria.
This man touched far more than my body last night. With the way he’d looked at me, he’d seared my goddamn soul.
“Mmm.” Rafe’s deep grumble makes me smile as he leans over me to kiss my cheek. His longer-than-usual facial hair scratches my skin pleasantly, and I quickly roll over to face him.
His sleepy grin puts an answering one on my own lips.
“Morning.” He clears his throat, voice hoarse from disuse. “Sleep well?”
My smile broadens as my cheeks heat. “Even better than the night before.”
He shoots me a shit-eating wink, making my thighs press together. “Must have been the orgasms, hmm?”
I cover my red face with my hands, and Rafe’s deep chuckle fills my ears as he tugs me closer.
“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.” Then he pinches my chin between his thumb and index finger, forcing me to meet his dark gaze. “Bringing you pleasure givesmepleasure. And I will be doing it a lot because seeing you come might just be my new favorite pastime.”
Leaning closer, he presses a gentle kiss to my brow before sliding his arms around my shoulders to pull me against his chest. I close my eyes, breathing slowly and deeply when my chest feels tight under the force of the emotion he so easily brings to life within me.
The sound of the compound coming to life around us fills my ears. Gardeners and groundsmen outside calling to one another in lilting Italian. A boat’s bell chimes in the distance as mumbled voices from downstairs argue over the last brioche.
I’m consumed with such peace and contentment that I could burst until Rafe pulls back to look at me. His eyes are a chocolatey brown today, looking much lighter, and I determine instantly that I want to see this shade more frequently.
“You’re to be my guest at a special party tonight. Here, within the compound.”
My jaw pretty much unhinges as my eyes widen in shock before Rafe rises from the bed and extends a hand, helping me up alongside him. He presses a kiss to the back of my hand clasped within his, those dark eyes dancing playfully.
“Dress the part,Stellina. Let them all see how you shine for me.”
“And there will bewomen there, too?”
My high-pitched, somewhat frantic question is met with a small smile from Maria, and she nods as she collects my dinner tray from the balcony table.
“Si. Don Rafael is hosting a special party tonight for Don Salvatore and his family. His wife, Bianca, and their daughters, Gabriela and Eliana, will attend, along with several wives of Don Rafael’s highest-ranking Capos.”
I begin to spiral slightly at the thought, pacing the length of my balcony as my mind races.
I don’t look the part. I have no doubt I can’t act the part. And I absolutely don’t have a good enough grasp of Italian yet to make small talk with anyone aside from maybe Sasquatch.
“Is Emiliano attending?” I latch onto the thought desperately as I whip around to find Maria extending her hand, a small white envelope pinched between her fingers.
“Don Rafael asked that I give this to you.”
I take it with a nod as she shakes her head, answering my question. “No. I believe he’s on security detail alongside Enzo.”
