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“You’re the only light in my dark world,” he says. “Honey, I can’t let you ever leave again. You’remine.”
I bury my face in his chest for a greedy and unashamed smell of him. “And you’re mine,” I tell him, then tip my head back to check his reaction.
Giolaughs. It’s a rare sound, Gio’s laughter. The rough, throaty sound is basically a national treasure as far as I’m concerned. I could listen to it on repeat if anyone ever made a recording.
“Yes, I am. You’ve staked your claim. Other women better watch out.” He drops a peck on my lips.
“I don’t care. I’m greedy,” I tease. My humor fades as my mind wanders to the other things I hoped to address tonight. I pause long enough to inhale a breath and then say, “But I need some things to change, Gio. If we’re going to work, I need…”
He tips my chin, drawing my eyes up to his. “Tell me. I want you to be happy.”
“I need you to be as present as I am. Please no more leaving me in the dark. I need to feel close to you.”
“Done,” he says, kissing me again. After he runs his thumb along the line of my bottom lip. “I’ll try harder not to shut you out.”
Relieved, I move onto my next request. “I need some freedom. Something that’s mine. Something I can do that’s outside of us. I’ve been wanting to go back to school—might as well finish after racking up all my student loans—”
“You don’t have to worry about the costs. Consider it paid for, including your existing loans. What else?”
I don’t bother arguing with him on it; Gio takes offense when his money is refused.
“I still want to learn to protect myself,” I say, toying with one of the buttons on his dress shirt. “I’d feel more comfortable if I knew some moves. If I could carry my own piece—”
“Since when do you use our lingo?” he asks, amused.
I smirk. “If I’m going to be a Mafia Queen, I should speak how you speak, don’t you think?”
“Mafia Queen,” he hums, drawing my body closer to his by the waist. He ponders on the term for a few seconds. “I like the sound of that. Very dark and sexy.”
“Is that a yes?”
“Louis will take you out to a range a few times a week. We’ll get you proficient at handling a firearm. ButIwill show you defensive maneuvers myself.”
“Is that a note of jealousy I detect?”
“No other man gets to put his arms around you except me,” he says possessively, palming my ass. “I love that you want to learn to defend yourself. It’s what I mean when I say you’re a survivor. I don’t want you anywhere near what happens with my work…but the reality is it’s always possible. If you know some moves and can handle your own weapon, you won’t feel so helpless.”
“Something Ineverwant to feel again.”
“You won’t. I won’t let it happen.” He grabs my hands and jerks his head toward the waiting dinner table in the ballroom. “I know my woman. I know she’s hungry.”
My smile spreads fast and wide. “My man knows me well.Pleasetell me there’s enough for seconds.”
His laughter continues as he tugs me over to the dinner table, and we finally sit down for our candlelit meal to beautiful live music. The meal couldn’t be more perfect. From the delicious food the kitchen staff has prepared for us to the wine I consume and grow tipsy on to our light and teasing conversation, it’s total perfection.
The way Gio stares at me from across the table brings another bout of butterflies to my stomach. The longer our dinner goes on, the more his gaze darkens, becoming almost wolfish, like he’s ready to move on from feasting on our food to feasting on me.
I discover I’m right as we return to stargazing on the terrace, taking in the view around us, and he wraps me up in his arms. My eyes close, and I lean into him, my back to his front. I’m ensconced in all things Gio with his shiver-inducing touch and warm scent surrounding me.
He glides his hand along the curves of my body. I can’t help the little murmur which escapes from my throat. It only encourages him to keep going.
“Do you know how many times I’ve thought about you over the last week? How fucking hard I’ve been just imagining you? I didn’t have the real thing,” he says, kissing up the side of my neck. His hands squeeze my hips. “You had me jerking off like a fucking pathetic teen boy in his parents' house. Over two million people in this city, but no one will do but you. I had to imagine myself sinking my cock into that pussy, Honey. Do you know how fucking crazy it made me?”
I shudder as he presses more kisses to my skin. I can already feel heat flushing over my skin, my sanity leaving the more he teases me.
Gio drags his lips along the curve of my jaw and then kisses the corner of my mouth. “Do you, Honey? Do you know how bad you make me want it?”
“No,” I answer, a bit flustered.
