And he had chosen to open it for me.
Now it was my turn for my eyes to water some more. “Thank you, Gianni.”
“I love you.”
My whole body tensed with shock as I went speechless.
“You do not have to say it to me yet. I honestly don’t want you to say those three words until youtrulyfeel it deep in your heart. Those three words are powerful and should be used responsibly.”
I shivered.
“But I do love you, and in time you will understand how much and how deeply. . .and maybe. . .be overwhelmed by that fact. . .”
Suddenly, Cindy, a petite brunette in her twenties, pushed a rack of several fur coats over. Her smile was warm and polite as she put the rack right in front of us.
What was crazy was that I’d forgotten the whole reason why we’d come there.
That was how much those stories had enthralled me.
Fuck. He’s about to make me cry in the damned fur store.
Clearing my throat, I rose and focused on the coats. “All of these coats look amazing.”
“The Siberian sable is always in demand.” Cindy pointed towards a dark red coat with an elegant black collar. “Would you like to try it on?”
“Okay.”
She brought the coat to me, and I pulled it around my shoulders.
I turned to the mirror. “Very nice.”
It was like being wrapped in a warm blanket.
The chill immediately started to recede.
Gianni studied me for a moment. “Red looks beautiful on you.”
“Do you like it?” I slowly turned.
A deep groan left him.
I chuckled. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Gianni glanced at Cindy. “We’ll take this now, but later bring the rest of the rack to my castle. She can have all of them.”
I shook my head. “I don’t need all of these—”
“Are you refusing my gifts, Queen?” His gaze was penetrating, yet soft—a combination that left me off balance.
“No, not refusing. . .just saying.” I trailed off, shrugging the coat more securely around my shoulders.
Gianni smiled at me and then turned back to Cindy. “As I said, I want all of them for my queen.”
“Yes, sir.” Cindy quickly collected the rack of the remaining coats with a pleased smile on her face while the elegant blonde returned to finalize our purchase.
“Don Fortunato,” she carried a newspaper and pen with her, “It's always a pleasure.”
He nodded.
