Yikes.
Stefan grabbed my hand and walked me around to the side of the house.
Castle.
This was definitely a freaking castle.
“She's attached to you fiercely,” he said, obviously talking about Dani.
I nodded but didn't say anything.Honestly, my heart was feeling pretty broken at the display that had just happened.I hated leaving Dani behind in such a state.
Stefan tugged on my hand, getting my attention.“That's a good thing.That means she loves you and feels comfortable with you.”
My poor heart broke again as I said, “She was really upset.Maybe we should go back and—”
Stefan stopped walking and pulled me into him.“Absolutely not.”His hands dug into my hair, and he kissed me.“This is supposed to be our time together.”He kissed me again.Like, a really, really, really great kiss that curled my toes.“Daniella can have you when we get back.But for now,” his hand slipped down to my behind, “you're all mine.”
I grinned against his lips and nodded.“Okay.”
He smiled back and gave me one more quick peck on the lips.“Good.”He turned and walked us to the door of what looked like a garage.He opened the door, and we traipsed inside.
“Whoa,” I said after Stefan turned the lights on.There were a ton of vehicles in here.It looked like a showroom or something.“Are all of these—yours?I asked stupidly.I mean, why else would these expensive-looking cars be in his garage on his property if they weren't his?
“Yes, Francesca,” was all he said with a smile.“And they're also yours now.”
I rolled my eyes, but didn't correct him on that.The thought that all of this was—mine—was ridiculous.
He stopped beside a cool, silver sports car.I couldn't tell you what kind of car it was—but I could tell it must've cost him a ton of money.
He opened the door and helped me in.Part of me wished I hadn't worn such a short skirt.It made getting into the car interesting, though.I'd spent extra time on my hair and makeup this morning.Stefan told me he was taking me out, but he didn't say where.When I showed him what I'd chosen to wear and asked if it was okay or not, he'd said, “Fuck, yeah, it's okay.”His eyes had done a once-over from head to toe.His gaze lingered on my legs for a good long while.
Stefan shut my door and walked around to get into the driver's side.The car still had that new-car smell.But as soon as Stefan got in, I took a deep inhale of him.That man smelled so good.I couldn’t get enough of him.
He reached over and helped me with my seat belt.“Ready?”he asked with a smexy smirk on his handsome face.
“Yeah, I'm ready.”
Then he started the car and shifted into gear.He pulled out of the garage and drove by the front of the castle.There was poor Dani, crying and pounding on the window beside the front door.
I gave her a sad wave and mouthed, “Bye-bye.”
Then I swallowed over the large, dry lump in my throat.
“She's fine.”Stefan grabbed my hand and brought it to his mouth to kiss it.
“She doesn't look fine.”I sighed and pursed my lips together.I mean, yes, of course I wanted to go out with Stefan.I'd never been to Italy—well, I'd never been anywhere.But I was here, now, and I really wanted to explore.
“Do you think Dani's not cared for?”he asked and kissed the back of my hand again.
I let out a short laugh and turned to him.“No, of course not.It looks like she has four adults caring for her most of the time.”
Stefan raised his eyebrows and nodded.“Exactly.And with the two of us, that makes six.Daniella lives a charmed life.Her father spoils her rotten, and when he doesn't, her uncle Nick steps in.”
I looked at Stefan and smiled.“Or her uncle Stefan.”
He chuckled and steered us onto the winding road.“Yes, or me.And now, you.”
His words made me all warm and mushy inside.Dani and I had bonded.And that was a special thing for a kid.
