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I lift his hand to my lips and kiss his fingertips. His eyes have a tender glow to them as he watches me.

“Wait until you see me clean your bathroom.” I smile.

He chuckles again. “I look forward to it.”

________

“I have a surprise for you tonight,” Rico says as he lies down beside me on his bed.

I prop myself up on my elbow. “What?”

It’s Sunday morning, and he has been on the phone organizing something. He’s been speaking Italian, though, so I have no idea what is going on.

He grins. “Let’s just say that I think you’ll be pleased with me.”

We stare at each other as something runs between us. It’s been there since last night when we made love—a tenderness. A feeling of closeness. It’s unexpected and disarming.

Does he feel it too?

I’m being completely myself and he likes me as I am. I feel cherished. I feel cared for and desired, and damn it, why the fuck does he live in Italy?

“What’s the surprise?” I ask, to change the direction of my thoughts.

“It happens at 11:00 p.m.”

“I’m intrigued. Why that time?”

“That’s the time that the gods chose.” He rolls me over onto my back and smiles down at me.

“Are you going to fuck me at 11:11?” I tease. “Is that what the gods want?”

He laughs out loud and it’s a beautiful sound. “No, I’m going to fuck you at 12:11. 11:11 is for something else—something better.”

I giggle as his lips touch mine. “Nothing could be that good.”

________

It’s 11:00 p.m. and I’m standing at the side door of the Pantheon.

Enrico is behind me, and I am encased by his protective arms. We’ve had another amazing day and this is his surprise for me.

“Rici,” I whisper up at him.

“Yes?”

“I love this surprise already.” He gently kisses my lips.

I have no idea what it is. The Pantheon isn’t even open, but it’s cool just being here in this greatness.

The door opens and a man comes into view. He’s wearing a suit and seems important. He bows his head. “Enrico, my child, come in.”

I bite my lip. “What the hell?” I whisper as we follow the man.

The Pantheon is lit up with candles and spotlights. It’s perfect.

It’s like something out of a movie.

Rico turns to me and takes my hands in his. “Tonight, Olivia, we get to speak to the gods.”