“Dante,” she whispers. “Look at me.”
I obey, my eyes meeting hers, and immediately I feel her core start to clench around my cock, the orgasm taking hold of her. I can tell she’s coming hard, blinking rapidly as tears fill her eyes, her mouth falling open as she gasps for air. But she doesn’t look away from me.
“I love you,” she tells me breathlessly.
I feel a warmth, a connection wash over me. Something I’ve never had before. This is what it’s supposed to be like. This is how love is supposed to be.
And suddenly I’m coming with her, spilling into her helplessly as I whisper my love right back. We’re coming together now, oh God, ohfuckingGod, yes, and with every thrust it’s like I’m pouring my entire soul into her for safekeeping. My body is shuddering. I’ve never come so hard in my fucking life.
I hold her close in the comedown, rolling onto my back and pulling her on top of me, still needing to be skin to skin without crushing her delicate body. I can feel her heart beating against mine as we ride out the last lingering aftershocks.
Closing my eyes, I softly kiss the top of her head and settle in, my whole body relaxed.
The rise and fall of her breathing evens out, growing slower and steadier, and within a few minutes it’s obvious that she’s fallen asleep. I lightly run my fingers up and down her back, relishing the feel of her skin. It’s funny to think about it, but I’d only been vaguely aware of the existence of the Abbott sisters before my marriage to Frankie was contracted.
Everyone in wine country is somewhat familiar with other people in the industry, of course, the large wineries especially. But beyond that mild, passing familiarity with her, all I’d really known about Francesca Abbott was that her father had been deeply in debt to mine.
The realization hits me that I still know very little about the woman sleeping in my arms. I did have Armani run a background check on her, but I stopped short of getting a full dossier worked up. Normally, my brother does what I like to call “opposition research,” so I know exactly what I’m up against. But Frankie isn’t some opponent to be conquered. I see that now.
I guess my father taught me and my brothers to see anybody without the Bellanti name as a potential enemy. But ever since my father’s death, it’s become even more important to me to be less like my father—and it’s time to stop letting his cynical view of the world shape mine.
My father’s way of living got him murdered, after all. And I don’t want that.
Though I’d be more than happy to stay in bed for the rest of the day, I know Frankie and I both have responsibilities to get back to, so I gently kiss her awake. She looks at me through sleepy eyes and flashes me a lazy smile.
“Let’s go away for a little while. Just the weekend, just you and me.”
“Are you kidding? Dante Bellanti wants to take a vacation?” she asks, a teasing lilt in her voice. “I don’t believe it.”
“You still have clothes here—you can pack a bag and we could leave here in an hour.”
“I can’t.” She sits up and shakes her head, smiling. “I mean, I’d love to, but I drove here in Charlie’s car, and I still have to take Livvie back to Nob Hill after she gets out of school.”
“Fine with me,” I say. “We can fly out of SFO. Just go to ticketing at the airport and buy a trip to anywhere we want.”
She just laughs good-naturedly and slides off the bed, looking around on the floor for her clothes. As she starts to get dressed, I have to fight the flicker of panic going through me.
“Please…” That word is so unfamiliar on my tongue. And yet I can’t seem to quit saying it today.
She pulls her shirt over her head and her skirt over her hips. Buttoning the blouse, she turns to look at me. “I’m going to pick up Livvie in a bit. Then I’m going to take her home to Nob Hill.”
“Frankie—”
“And then I’m going to meet you at the St. Regis, and we’re going to spend the night making up for lost time. In their most luxurious suite. And yes, they have room service.”
I lay there and watch her finish getting dressed because honestly, I can’t bring myself to move. She’s mesmerizing me. Her words make me feel warm, excited, and anxious to be with her again. She pulls me in for a kiss before she leaves my room.
“See you soon,” she says.
The door shuts behind her and I realize that I’m actually smiling for the first time in far too long.
I’m really, truly smiling.
18
Frankie
When I enterthe opulent lobby of the St. Regis Hotel, I see Dante waiting for me.
