by C. M. Steele
“You two are going to be hilariously cute together.”
“Thank you. I should get up and go eat with everyone.”
“Actually, everyone has decided to eat in their rooms. After this drama, Gloria and her husband are holding their babies close for the night. Your parents are resting, and I must tend to my husband, so you and Domani actually will just be dining together. ”
A knock comes against the door frame. “Dinner, Signoras.”
“Come in.” The chef brings in a tray with two other servers.
“Please enjoy, Mrs. Bianchi.” I realize he’s speaking to me. “This is not how I planned to serve my first dinner to you, but alas, things can’t be perfect all the time.”
“It smells fabulous.”
“Grazie. If you should need anything, please do not hesitate. I am Giuseppe,” he says.
“Grazie, Giuseppe.”
“I hope you two have a pleasant night. Get some rest. We have a big day tomorrow,” his mother says, brushing a kiss to my temple before standing.
“Yes, Mrs. Bianchi.”
“Come, Giuseppe. I’m sure they want to eat in private.” He leaves with her, and his staff goes with him. She closes the door with a goodnight.
“Goodnight.”
That’s when I process that the shower has turned off. I don’t know how long it’s been that way until the door opens, and Domani is just in his towel that’s snugly wrapped around his waist. He has another towel that he’s running through his thick dark hair. Muscles bulge from his biceps, creating a compelling picture. His broad chest has a spattering of hair across his killer pectorals and down to his taut abs, making a happy trail to his large cock that’s jerking under the cloth material. I’m practically panting in heat. My thighs clench shut as I stare.
“Amore, stop looking at me naked. I’m doing my best to wait until our wedding day.”
“Dom…sorry. Um…I just didn’t expect you to be so…gorgeous,” I confess.
With a growl, he adds, “Give me a minute.” He steps into his closet out of sight and comes back a minute later in a pair of sweats and a tee-shirt, adding a different element to his sexy. Who knew a man like him owned regular clothes? “Come on. Let’s eat before it gets cold. Giuseppe wouldn’t want you to be upset with his cooking.”
“Okay.” I climb off the bed and walk around to the small table in his room, taking a seat across from him. I’ve never eaten in front of him before. In fact, everything about this man is new to me, except the years of fantasizing about him.
“Eat, Aria. When we say our vows, you will be too busy for food for a long while. Do get your nourishment in now.” I lift up the lid to my plate to hide my blush when it comes to us fucking. When I look at my dish, it’s one of my favorites—Pappardelle in a beef and mushroom sauce. Looking up at Domani, I wonder if he knew it was my favorite. “You can learn a lot about someone from their Pinterest posts.”
“I can’t believe you did this for me.”
He pours a glass of wine for both of us. I don’t drink a lot of wine, but at a good dinner, my parents let me have a bit. “It’s nothing. I don’t cook the food; still, I am glad you are pleased. Now, do eat.” He begins to dip his bread into the sauce before taking a large bite of the pasta.
“This is delicious. I think I’m in love.” I moan, taking another bite.
“Hey, don’t get Giuseppe killed, now,” he growls, taking a drink of his wine.
“Silly, I meant the dish. I better continue running every day or I’ll be getting chunky.”
“You can run if you please, but it must be in the gym here. I do not trust your safety.”
“I know. I prefer the treadmill anyway. It’s not like I’ve been let out much since that day with Franco.”
He pauses with his fork midair. “No talk of him tonight, please. I’d like to enjoy my dinner, cara mia.”
“Yes, sorry. So when you’re not all mob bossing and stuff, what do you do for fun?”
“Fun? I watch television or read books. What about you?”
I shoot my brow up at him and then shake my head before taking a sip of my drink. “I’m guessing you already know that, but I’ll humor you.” Setting the glass down, I continue. “I like to draw and paint. Nothing fancy, just stuff to occupy my time outside of my schoolwork, and well, pure boredom.”
His face lights up. “Are those your drawings on Pinterest?”
“Yes. I’ve had offers and requests, but they’re just for me.”
“Well, they are lovely. I especially love the girl staring out her window with a whimsical look, as if waiting on her lover.”
I gasp. “Is that what you see?”
“I do. Is that not what it is?”
I smile widely. “No, you’re a hundred percent correct on it. Some think she’s depressed, miserable.”
“They miss the slightest glint in her eyes or the upturn of her lips.”
“Thank you, Domani. I’m glad someone truly enjoyed it.”
“I’m sure there are many others that caught it.”
“No one I know. You’re the first person that actually took a real interest in my art.”
“I’d like that piece to be somewhere special in the house. Wherever, even if you just put it in our bedroom.”
“Are you serious?”
“Tesoro, I am always serious. I don’t say things I don’t mean.”
“Oh God, the explosion,” I sob. “Everything I had was in my art studio in the back of the house.”
“Do not worry. Your studio is safe. Your father said he knew they meant the world to you. My men will collect everything tomorrow. That part of the house was clear of the fire, so they haven’t been damaged. It was only in the main front living area.”
“That’s really good. I’d been so worried about you two that I’d completely forgotten about them.”
“Thank you, Aria.” He squeezes my hand and then continues to eat. I do the same because I am pretty damn hungry and the smell is incredible. By the time we’re done stuffing our faces, I sit back and sigh.
“I think I overate. I’m stuffed.”
“You needed it. You haven’t eaten most of the day.”
“How did you know that?”
“I asked earlier.” I know he’s lying, but I let it go.
“You know you could have just talked to me to learn my likes and dislikes.”
“Yes, but you’ve seen what happens when I have you alone and close to me.” He takes my hand and gently massages my wrist with his thumb.
“We have very nice talks,” I offer.
“Smart ass.” I let out a yawn. “How about we watch some television and then go to bed?”
“Okay.” He hops up and grabs the remote from his dresser and turns on the television. He has it on a CSI marathon—the original CSI with William Peterson, my favorite. “How about this?”
“I do like this one—even if it’s a cop show.”
“If it makes you feel better, I used to watch Cops all the time as a teenager.” He shakes his head at me after I press my hand to my chest in shock.
“That’s funny. Oh, the irony,” I remark dramatically. A criminal loving a criminal-catching show.
“Do you have a good enough view from there?” he asks.
“Yes.” I’m totally lying, and he can read it. In a swift motion, he picks me up and sits me on the bed. “That’s much better.”
He sits on the edge of the bed, but from the looks of things, I have a feeling he’s not going to be joining me. Cupping my face, he asks, “Amore, are you going to be okay in here alone? I have to talk to my men. With everything that has happened, I have a mess to clean up.”
As much as I hate for him to leave me, I know that just because the threat is gone, it doesn’t mean their work is over. “Do what you have to do. I’ll be okay here. Just be safe, please, Domani.” He bends over and kisses my lips. We start off sweet and gentle, but before I know it, he has pinned me to the pillows and his mouth de
vours mine. His hands wander all over my body, skimming up my thighs, and then he pulls back. We’re both panting, filling our lungs with much-needed air. Straightening himself up, Domani adjusts his cock, which is clearly beyond hard in his joggers. “You have no idea how sexy you are.”
“I’m starting to see.” I lick my lips, teasing Domani and myself because I’m so damned aroused as well.
“That’s a bad girl. Keep that up, and you won’t be coming tonight.”
“Fine. I need to shower since someone left me a sticky mess, but I’m guessing you didn’t grab any of my clothes.”
“No. I didn’t, but your mom picked out some new clothes for your new life by my side. They’re in the closet on the right.” My eyes shoot open wide, shock and excitement written all over my face.
Climbing onto my knees, I throw my arms around his neck for a huge hug that he returns, lifting me off the bed. I kiss his cheek as he sets me back on the mattress. “You are a big surprise, Mr. Bianchi.”
“We’ve only just begun, Aria, but I must go.” He kisses me once more before he rushes from the room. As soon as the door shuts, I hop off the bed. I have to pee and shower, so I scurry into his impressive bathroom. I scope out his double sink and see he has my favorite soaps already stocked. He hasn’t left anything out. I dig through the cabinets and see female products for me. My mother must have given him a list or maybe she sent out one of her people to run around and get everything. Damn, I wonder why I bothered to pack in the first place.
Turning on the shower, I strip and test the water. It’s perfectly warm. The spray is so refreshing after all that’s happened today. As I’m washing my hair, I remember that the door’s not locked. I don’t feel comfortable with it unlocked, so I hurry up and rinse off. Stealing a large fluffy towel off the shelf, I wrap my body up and pull out another for my hair.
We have the same luxury as this at home, but it’s different because this will be mine soon, and it’s incredible. This home is where I’m supposed to raise a family. It’s surreal. That’s the word that I’ve been looking for since Domani stepped through my bedroom door, growling and demanding. Two years of peering through my imagination for that one moment in time when our eyes met through a doorway. It was a moment so long ago that I wonder if I’d just made it all up. I remember hearing my father say that he wasn’t even supposed to be there.
I slip into the closet, looking for the clothes, and everything I need is inside. My mother wasted no time filling it up with all my favorite things. I see other things that I wouldn’t have considered, but since I’m going to be a married woman, these pretty nighties are something I could get used to, especially with a husband who wants to devour me.
I grab one off the hanger and slide it over my head, and then pull a pair of panties out. Although I’m not sure what the point is, since they’ll be ruined the second I start thinking about him and his muscular body, passionate lips, and talented mouth.
As much as I’d prefer to go without undies, I’m afraid someone will come in. Shimmying them up my legs, I see my reflection in his floor-length mirror, and I look fucking sexy. Maybe I should change.
“Nah.” I climb back into bed and snuggle under the covers.
Chapter Six
Domani
Leaving the bedroom and, more importantly, Aria was a test of wills. If I didn’t have an empire to get under control, I would have stayed with my woman. I meet my men on the stairs. “Stay outside the door. Don’t go in there for any reason.”
“Yes, boss.” The door locks on its own, but that doesn’t mean she can’t open it from the inside and they could come in that way. My men don’t enter my bedroom for any reason, but when it comes to Aria, I don’t trust many. She’s beautiful, enchanting, and my only weak spot. If anyone wants to get at me, she’d be the target. It kills me to even consider something fucked up like that, but it’s the life we’re living.
Nero meets me at the bottom of the stairs. “How is she?”
“Good, but we have a lot to deal with right now so I can’t focus on my queen.”
“Very well. Our men have been taken to the funeral home. The company for the gate has been contacted, and I’m sure we can get them out tomorrow.” We walk to my office, closing the door behind us.
Walking over to my liquor cabinet, I pull out a bottle of bourbon. Waving it at him, he nods. I pour us a glass and then take a seat behind my desk. “I want it completely reinforced. What about the fires?”
“The fire department got it under control, but the damage was significant.”
“Have a crew come to level it out. We’ll add a helipad there instead. I thought it protected us, but it backfired.”
“Yes. We’re relocating any animals found alive?”
“Yes, of course. Either to the local zoos or to another forest preserve. I’m ruthless, but ecosystems matter.”
“Good. I’m going to see if we have room for any in the garden. My mother and Aria like animals.”
“You have your own Snow White.” He nudges me with his elbow.
“That I do. Have the families been contacted?” I question, returning to business. I want to get back to Aria as soon as humanly possible.
“We were waiting on you before we made the calls.”
Nodding, I add, “That’s good. It’s best that it comes from me.”
“That’s what we figured.”
“Give me all the numbers and contacts for each man.” He pulls out a piece of paper from his suit jacket.
“Niccolò sent it over about ten minutes ago. He wants you to call him when you get a chance. He’s pissed he wasn’t here to fight.”
“He’s always itching to prove himself more than just my accountant. He’s even working out now more and more.” I shake my head and down my glass. Nero stands and brings the bottle over to my desk. “Grazie.”
I pour myself another glass, drinking about half and topping it off again. “Take it easy. You’ve got a lot of calls to make.”
“That’s what I’m gonna need this for. Crying mothers I’m not prepared for.”
“I bet. You know…maybe Niccolò’s found a girl.”
“I wonder. I should ask him if there’s someone he’s interested in.”
“It would be nice. Then he might not be so damned uptight.” That’s my little brother for sure. Great at numbers, terrible with people. We love him, and he’s a tough bastard, but heaven help him if he has to speak to anyone. The man just hates talking at all costs.
“Well, I’m going to steal a piece of apple pie. It’s fresh out of the oven. Do you want one?” Nero has a huge sweet tooth, especially when it comes to baked goods.
“Sure, but be careful Giuseppe doesn’t see you, or you’ll lose a finger.”
“I’ll tell him it’s for you.” We both chuckle as he walks out.
Then I go about making the calls. After I finish the first one, Nero comes in, letting me know the police are outside and want to speak with me. I nod and have them come into my living room. “Yes, Detective Sims, to what do I owe this extremely late visit?”
“I’m stopping by to inform you that my team has already ruled that you acted in self-defense. And that Tortelli was a fucking nut.”
“That’s for sure. Thank you for that. It’s been a long night, so if that’s all you have, I have to make some important calls to my guards’ families in Italy.”
“Oh. Yes. Good luck with that.” He stands, and Nero escorts him out. From the footage I gave them, they were able to see that those who died had been attacked by a mad man. The explosion to his body had been so intense that only fragments could be gathered. Thankfully, the bullet to the heart had been untraceable because his heart couldn’t be found.
Two attacks on two reputed crime families were shocking and people would believe it was a hit from one of the other families, which will keep them off our tails. It’s not as if they want to get entangled in all of this mess. Besides, we have the right people in our pockets to look the
other way.
Most of the people killed didn’t have family in the States, so I had to make calls to Italy. Not pleasant, but there isn’t much I can do. Their people will be compensated as best we can. I’ll leave that to my accountant Niccolò to handle.
Making it up to the bedroom, I unlock the door and see my bride-to-be with the covers just below her ass, the perfect view to come home and see. I growl, stripping out of my clothes and climbing into bed in just my boxers.
I slide under the covers and pull Aria to me. “Domani,” she sighs. That’s what I want to hear.
“Sleep, my queen,” I command. She smiles, and I feel her body relax. “I love you, Aria.” I know she can’t hear me, but I have to say it.
“My king,” she utters.
“That’s right. Now and forever.”
****
I wake up four hours later to the feel of Aria grinding on my cock with her round ass. Growling her name along the shell of her ear, I grip her hips and stop her. She startles, waking up. “Aria, you’re a bad little girl.”
“Sorry, I don’t know what came over me.” There’s a blush on her cheeks like she’s embarrassed, but I know she’s flushed from desire because her wicked eyes are full of mischief. God, I want to possess this woman so painfully.
“I’m about to come all over you if you keep it up,” I grit out, aching to fuck her this instant.
“You make it sound like a bad thing.”
“We’re not married yet,” I insist. I won’t give in now that I’m so fucking close to the finish line.
“I’ve been thinking about that. Is it so important we marry tomorrow?”
I’m insanely triggered by her question, and I pin her to the bed, straddling her body. “What did I say about a foregone conclusion?”
“Is tomorrow some important holiday or something?” she asks. I’m still not liking where this questioning is going. This woman’s trying to test me, so I should fuck her right now, making sure she marries me as soon as humanly possible.
“No, but I’m not waiting any longer.”
She smiles and rolls her eyes at me. “I didn’t say wait longer. I was thinking…well, I thought maybe it was best if we could just get married today with our family already here.”
