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I strollthrough the halls and rooms of Bella Notte like I belong here.
Because I do.
I haven’t taken a power pose in the restroom in weeks because these days, Iwalkwith a power pose. Somehow, being in love has done that to me. It isn’t just beingin love,though, butbeingloved, so deeply, madly, irrevocably, it’s the kind of passion poets write about.
Squeee!
“Hey, baby.” Flo snaps her gum and winks at me from the bar. “Looking mightyfine,girlfriend!”
I am, if I do say so myself, due in no small part to Marialena’s magic and Rosa’s little boutique. I’m wearing an all-black ensemble—a lace bodysuit and leather shorts, something that covers up all my bits but still screamssexy.
Because tonight? We. Are.On.
I won’t lie and say I don’t have alittlebit of trepidation about what I’m in for. Adriano has hinted at the kind of spanking he thinks I deserve, and if I’m honest—I kind of hope he gives it to me.
I want the cathartic release. I want to put everything that happened to rest, in the sexiest way possible. I want to lose myself in the euphoric relief. But most of all, I want Adriano to take back control, because I know in my heart of hearts that’s what we both need.
I wave to Flo and walk past the bar to the kitchen. I have a little time before Adriano returns from the North Shore where he’s visiting his brothers, and I’m dying to connect with my bestie.
When I hit the doorway, I moan and close my eyes, bracing myself on the doorframe as if to steady myself. “Oh, mother of all good things, that smell is so delicious, it should have its own TikTok account.” I open my eyes to see Eden smirking at me as she plates my food.
“Something tells me you’ll need your energy for tonight.”
I stare at her, mouth gaping. “Did you just make…a sex joke?”
Heat creeps up her neck and she covers her mouth with her hand. “We’re in a sex club and you’re reuniting with your husband after horrible, wrenching heartbreak. If you don’t make love to that man tonight…”
“Eden Montavio!”
She grins, and I actually get a little choked up. I sigh. “I am so proud.”
“There she is!” Wearing a black minidress with leather harness detailing, Marialena walks into the kitchen looking arguably hotter than I do, and I’m fucking hot right now.
“Lemme guess,” I say, pulling out a chair so I can dig into this food. “Salvatore’s in town?”
“Yup. Join us for dinner at The Castle on Sunday? Mama’s pulling out the works.”
“I’ll have to ask Adriano if we have any plans, but I amso there.Okay, Eden, whatisthis magical concoction?”
Eden smiles and shrugs humbly. “Roasted gnocchi with pesto I made from the basil in our garden, seared chicken in a lemon-butter sauce, and wilted spinach with shallots.”
My eyes roll back in my head at the first bite.
“This. Is.Amazing.Your husband is one lucky man.”
“As isyours,” Marialena says, reaching for a crust of garlic bread from a basket. I don’t touch it because I fully intend on a make-out sesh later. “I overheard them all talking up at The Castle, as I just happened to be refilling my wine coffers.” She sighs dreamily, folding herself onto a chair. “And Quinn, he is so in love with you, it’s the stuff of dreams.”
I smile, swallowing the lump in my throat.
I know he is. “The feeling’s mutual,” I whisper. It scares me, knowing how much I love him and what that could mean. I think back on my life before Adriano, and while it was vivid and full of meaning at times, the two of us paired together brings me to a whole new level I never imagined possible. And when I imagine a future together—growing old and sharing dreams, children and family, a place to call home—I feel as if my heart could explode.
I’m longing to see him again. I hate being apart. And even though I never knew love could make you feel so raw and exposed, I also never knew love could fill every cell of your being and, just when you thought you were filled to bursting, expand that much more.
Eden sits next to us. Marialena and I squeal at pictures of her baby, and I watch her eyes grow misty as she talks about raising a family here. I know for her, it means that she gets what she never had and for me—well, it will mean the same.
“Madame Beau’s here tonight,” Marialena says. “There’s a huge crowd, have you seen?”
Huge crowds and Adriano’s protective side don’t mix well, but I have to give him props for not losing it.
