Page 218 of Valentino

He stands and gives me the best come-fuck-me look of all time. “You know what happens to people who call my socks stupid?” He unwraps my towel, his gaze drops to linger on my naked skin.

“Let me guess,” I fire back. “They get toe tally blindsided.”

“Toe tally?” He raises an eyebrow.

I shrug. “I mean, if the shoe fits.”

“That’s it, enough of the dad jokes.” He grabs for me. “Come here,” he growls. “I’ll show you how tight it can fit.”

I laugh as I jump out of his reach.

I like this game.

He tackles me onto the bed, and I laugh out loud as I try to escape his grip. “Valentino.” I thrash beneath him to try and break free. “You need to go back to the wedding.”

“Who gives a fuck about the wedding?” He bites me hard and goose bumps scatter. “Not me.” He’s over the top of me with my arms pinned above my head, I laugh out loud and he does too and damn, it feels nice not to hate each other.

If even for a little while.

This feels so easy and natural, nothing at all like I imagined it would.

He falls silent as if having the same epiphany.

Ding….

“I really do have to go.” His eyes search mine.

“I know.” I force a smile. “You do.” I climb off the bed and go to my drawers. “Here, wear these.”

He frowns. “What is this?”

“Socks.” I shrug. “A sock’s a sock, right?”

He unrolls, then stretches them out as he eyes them over. “You wear pig socks?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Why?”

“Tell me they aren’t the cutest socks you’ve ever seen.”

He breaks into a broad beautiful smile.

“See.” I laugh. “You like them too. Admit it.”

“Maybe….” He drops to sit on the bed. “When I was five.” He pulls one on, it’s light gray with tiny little pigs on it. “These are one hundred percent children’s socks, Anna.”

“They’re bed socks.”

“Why do you need to wear bed socks?”

“My feet get cold in hotels.”

He pulls his shoes on and stands. “Great. I won’t be able to sit down for the entire night now in fear of these making an appearance.” He takes me into his arms.

I smile up at him and he’s so handsome that my heart flutters deep inside my chest.

“I….” He swallows the lump in his throat. “I…could come back…later. After the wedding.”