by 33 authors
“Can I help you?” A timid voice woke me up from behind the counter. A man wearing a suit and tie looked Vinnie up and down.
Vinnie started to walk towards the counter and the man actually backed up. He nervously looked towards a door in the back as if he wanted to signal someone for help.
Now, normally I don’t get upset when strangers look terrified of Vinnie. I know to the average person how intimidating he must look. It’s not necessarily his gigantic size and bulging muscles. I don’t think it’s the scar either. I believe the reason Vinnie scares so many people away is because he always looks so angry.
Except when he’s looking at me.
In fact, he looked at me just like that right before he walked towards the counter. His eyes shone with such adoration, an immediate surge of warmth went through me. His expression and demeanor wasn’t angry. It was full of affection and love.
How dare this salesman act like Vinnie was some thug! I was furious. The defensive reaction I felt sure snapped me out of my temporary daze. I walked indignantly up to the counter with Vinnie, linking my arm with his.
Vinnie seemed to ignore the salesman’s suspicious look. “We’re here to pick out an engagement ring.”
I felt flutters in my stomach as soon as he said…engagement ring.
“Okay, then—I can help you,” the salesman stuttered as he glanced at the back door again.
Dear god, did he think we were Bonnie and Clyde?
Whatever the case was, I guess he saw that whomever he was working with wasn’t going to come out to the floor. He cleared his throat. “Is there a certain cut you’re looking for?”
Vinnie and I just stared at him.
The prick then rolled his eyes. “Square, round, princess cut?”
“Oh, Vinnie, he means the shape!” I exclaimed with a start as soon as I figured what the hell the salesman was talking about.
“Yes. The…Shape,” he repeated briefly losing his look of fear while now appearing to be annoyed.
“Well, Grace, it’s going to be on your finger. What do you think?” Vinnie smiled down at me.
“Uh, I—I don’t know. I never thought about a ring. I’m embarrassed—I have no idea.”
“Don’t be embarrassed. I know I kind of sprung this on you.”
“Kind of…?” I grinned.
He chuckled. “Let’s look at them all and see which one catches your eye.”
“This way please.” The salesman continued to look irritated as he led us to a counter at the end of the aisle. I had a feeling he thought we weren’t going to be much of a sale. My thoughts were confirmed as he took out a display of engagement rings with diamonds I could barely see.
Michael began to explain the various cuts of diamonds. “Now this is a square cut. See how it’s shaped like a square? And this is a circle cut. See how—.” Apparently, he also thought we were stupid.
“What the fuck! Is this a joke?” Vinnie seethed.
The salesman’s eyes grew wide. “Excuse me?”
“You think I’m buying the woman I love a diamond the size of a grain of salt?” Vinnie’s tone turned ugly.
“Oh, uh, I—I apologize. Y—you didn’t state the s—size you were looking for.”
“Big.” Vinnie snarled.
“Uh…how big?” The salesman was clearly agitated.
“As big as you got.” Vinnie hissed.
I grabbed Vinnie’s arm. “I don’t need a huge ring, Vinnie!”
As usual, his entire face changed when he gazed over at me. “Grace, you need to let me do this. I’ve been waiting my whole life for you.” Then he went back to eyeballing the salesman with his usual intimidating look. “Cost is not a consideration.”
The salesman swallowed. “I need permission to bring out those rings.”
“Permission granted, Michael.” A thick Italian accented voice came out of what I assumed was the back room. Then, he appeared through the door. An older man, perhaps in his sixties. He was short, not much taller than me. He smiled as he walked over to us.
“Hello Mr. Marrello.” Vinnie put out his hand.
Mr. Marrello shook his hand as he chuckled. “Vinnie Lewis. I heard you got out of your former line of work. Went into business with your cousin now, did you?”
“Yep, A and V private investigations. We’re doing well.”
“Too well. I heard you had to hire more staff you’ve got so much business.”
“You heard that?” Vinnie sounded surprised.
“My boy, you know about the street talk.” Mr. Marrello turned to me. “Not only did I hear you went straight but a pretty gal caught your heart.”
Vinnie put his arm around me. “Yes sir, she sure did. Grace, I’d like you to meet a former acquaintance of mine, Mr. Sal Marrello.”
Mr. Marrello kissed my hand. He was so suave and reserved I felt like I was on the set of The Godfather.
“Well, I’m not surprised. Only a woman full of beauty and sweetness could turn Vinnie’s life around.”
Okay, this was getting uncomfortable.
“Yes sir, Mr. Marrello. I’m sure the word on the street is that everyone was shocked that I ended up with a nice girl—considering where I was heading.”
“Isn’t love wonderful, Vinnie? Okay, Michael, show them the good stuff. It was very nice meeting you, Grace.” And just like that, Mr. Marrello disappeared through the door into the backroom.
“This way folks.” Michael suddenly turned quite cordial.
We walked to a counter that was the farthest from the front door. Michael turned to a ledge and slid a cabinet door to the side. It was locked but he already had the key out. He brought out a tray and put it on the glass counter in front of us.
My heart lodged in my throat. The diamonds were huge.
“Now that’s more like it,” Vinnie whispered in awe.
“Vinnie! You can’t be serious!”
“Oh baby, I am. Only the best.”
“I’m not wearing something that enormous on my hand! I’ll feel like a freak!”
Michael stared at me like I had two heads. It was obvious he’d never heard a woman complaining that a ring was too big.
“Grace, you rarely let me spend money on you. Christ, I can’t even take you out to dinner.”
“That’s because you love it when I cook for you.”
Vinnie’s mother never did anything maternal for him. He didn’t grow up with home cooked meals. There was no comparison to the precious reaction I got every time I made dinner for him.
“Now let me do this for you,” Vinnie purred at me.
“You already do plenty for me.”
“Like what?”
I raised my eyebrows at him. Vinnie was the first man to ever give me an orgasm. The sex with him was off the charts. I don’t know how I lucked out that this man could satisfy my every desire. In fact, just the look I gave him communicated my lust for him.
Vinnie gave me a wicked stare as if he were making love to me right this minute.
Michael cleared his throat in an effort to get our attention again.
Well that distraction worked and I walked along the counters, studying the various engagement rings. I stopped at a display of more moderate sizes. “These are good, Vinnie. I’d like a closer look at this size range.”
“Those are all one carat rings,” Michael scoffed.
“Absolutely not, Grace,” Vinnie retorted.
“We’re going to compromise, Vinnie.” I stood my ground and shot him my most determined look. “I have to be comfortable wearing this ring.”
That did it. Vinnie was a hothead but I knew how to do some emotional maneuvering.
“Okay, two carats. Not. Any. Less.”
Michael even seemed satisfied by that as he nodded his head in agreement.
Thirty minutes later, after picking out a stunning 2.25 princess cut, Vinnie and I walked out of Marrello and Sons Jewelers. Michael had sized my finger and said the ring would be ready for Vinnie to pick up that after
noon.
We were both quiet on the walk back to work. I was wondering if reality was hitting him like it was for me.
Engagement ring.
Marriage.
Partner for life.
There was no doubt that I loved Vinnie with the very depths of my soul. All of a sudden though, I was feeling rushed. This all was happening because I was going away for two nights? All because he didn’t want any man to think I was single. The practical side of me said this decision was hasty. The idea came in the passion of the moment. I knew the end result would be okay, but the fervor leading up to it would always be there.
There wasn’t even a proposal.
All of a sudden, I felt an overpowering fear. My stomach rolled and my footsteps became heavy.
Vinnie stopped walking and it seemed as if he’d picked up on my emotion. “Grace, are you okay?”
“Uh—of course.” My eyes were filling up. I was trying to blink back the tears.
Vinnie didn’t say a word. He led me to a park bench and we sat down. He brought his arms around me.
That was all it took. I started to bawl. I buried my face in his shirt to muffle the sound. My sobs were turning hysterical. Finally, after I don’t know how long, my body began to calm down. My tears turned to sniffles.
When Vinnie saw that I was more composed, he got up and walked to a nearby hot dog stand. He got a handful of napkins and didn’t buy anything, but the hot dog vendor wisely, didn’t say a word. Vinnie handed me the napkins.
“Thank you.” I gave him a weak smile.
“Are you having second thoughts, Grace?”
“No!” I practically shouted. “I don’t want you thinking like that. I love you Vinnie. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. It’s just—just so silly.”
“It’s not silly if it means you’re this upset. I never wanted to make you cry.” He grabbed my chin and gazed into my eyes. “I want to spend my whole life making you happy.”
“I know you do.”
“Then tell me what made you cry just now.”
“It’s ridiculous. I can’t even say it out loud.”
“Grace, do you remember when I first started walking you home from work? Before we were even dating? I bought you a rose?”
I smiled. I knew where he was going with this story. “You bought me a pink rose.”
“Yes.” He chuckled. “You told me later, after we started dating, that you were so upset when I picked out a pink one.”
“I—wanted you to choose red. The color of love.”
“I was falling for you hard even then Grace. I had no idea the color of a flower signified anything. You were afraid I’d chosen pink because it was babyish.”
“I thought you were protective of me like a brother is for a sister. I didn’t know you wanted me….like I wanted you.”
“Nope. Even then I wanted to get into your pink panties.” He smirked then seemed to turn serious. “The point is Grace, like that pink rose moment…I can’t read your mind.”
“It’s just that—it’s happening so fast. I um, don’t mind the idea—of getting engaged.” My throat felt clogged all of a sudden. I forced myself to go on. To try to explain when I wasn’t sure myself what was actually bothering me. “—you dragged me through the street like a caveman today, Vinnie. Then you wanted to put the rock of Gibraltar on my finger.”
“Was I too rough, Grace?” He looked a little panicked.
Here we go again. I couldn’t seem to make sense of this without hurting him. “No! Don’t ever think that. Sure, you’re rough around the edges and by far, the biggest bad-ass I ever met, but you’re always gentle with me.”
“I’m missing something here, Grace. I don’t know what to do.”
Then it hit me.
He really…really didn’t know what to do!
Vinnie didn’t even grow up with a TV. Anything of value he ever had, his mother would pawn to feed her drug habit. He never saw images of romance, dating, or a man wooing a woman. He was learning all this now—with me.
Like with the pink rose, I needed to tell him what I desired. “I never got a proposal, Vinnie.”
“Proposal?”
Dear God, he really didn’t know.
“It’s when a man formally asks a woman to marry her. It’s more than traditional though. I suppose it sort of…symbolizes the beginning. The first commitment that a man makes to a woman. It’s a special, almost poetic moment that couples remember forever.”
“I didn’t propose.” Vinnie sighed.
“No, you didn’t. How could you when you didn’t know about it? Vinnie, one thing about you is that I’ll never question how much you love me.” I thought about how much he’d given me. Before him, I was woefully and sexually inexperienced. The few times I had sex with guys, the act itself was unsatisfying. I thought it was me. I didn’t know what I was doing. Vinnie taught me passion and desire. He was more than just the first man to give me an orgasm. He showed my body how it could reach that fiery release that I‘d been craving. He satisfied me in ways I never thought possible.
Now it was time for me to teach him something. “Are you picking up the ring this afternoon?”
“Yes?” His eyebrows rose. He rapidly picked up on my change of mood. “Why are you smiling now?”
“Because, you told me to tell you what I needed. When you get the ring, I expect a proposal.”
“Oh, I see.” He looked relieved and then grinned slyly. “So, I’ll need to ask you to marry me.”
“…and then I’ll think about it.” I laughed.
He planted kisses on my neck. “Is that right, Grace? I guess I’ll have to be convincing.”
While his mouth descended on mine, my only thought was that he wouldn’t have to work too hard—at convincing me.
* * *
CHAPTER THREE
After making out on a park bench for a glorious half an hour, Vinnie and I made our way back to work. I felt like I was walking on air. I always worried that Vinnie’s past would be challenging to our relationship.
He practically grew up in a brothel. Then for years, he worked as a henchman for the mob. Beating up people only seemed to exacerbate his rage. He’d never experienced affection or kindness and consequently, refused to get close to a woman.
Until…he met me.
I wondered if he could ever have a normal relationship. What I didn’t expect was how ready for change he truly was. He told me he wanted to be a better man…for us. Now I was kind of mad at myself for my emotional breakdown. It really was unnecessary. I felt guilty since I led him to believe he did something wrong. He was doing the best he could. Considering the circumstances of how he grew up, he was doing a damn fine job.
I decided that when he picked up the ring this afternoon, after he gave me my silly proposal, I’d make sure I showed him how fulfilling his love for me was. I got tingles all the way to my toes just thinking about it.
We didn’t get two steps into the A and V office door, when Vinnie shouted, “Jamie!”
“Shhh…Vinnie!” I scolded. “I think Anthony is meeting with a client.”
“Yes, Miss Office Manager,” he quipped with a sly smile. Then turned and yelled again, “Jamie!”
I shook my head, trying to contain my amusement.
Jamie appeared in the hallway. “You rang…sire?” he answered in a dry British accent.
“Good. I need you. Grace, honey, I’ll be meeting in my office with Jamie.” Vinnie kissed my cheek and rushed away.
Jamie stared at me with raised eyebrows.
I shrugged my shoulders.
Jamie went to open his mouth as if to ask just as Vinnie roared. “Jamie! Now!”
“You know Grace, did you ever think maybe your boyfriend could benefit from charm school? You know, it’s just a thought.” Jamie shook his head.
“Sorry. I love him just the way he is.” I laughed as I went over to my desk, wondering why Vinnie was so frantic to meet with Jamie. Was Vinnie asking Jamie’
s advice in light of my emotional breakdown? Well, I calmed down, so that couldn’t be it. Maybe Vinnie was still worried. I sat at my desk for only seconds, then I was up, heading back into the hallway. Literally, it felt like my body had a mind of its own.
Really, Grace? You’re going to eavesdrop?
I noticed that Vinnie’s door was not completely closed. No, I wasn’t going to eavesdrop. I just need to walk to the kitchen at the end of the hall.
Vinnie’s voice was low and deep but I could make out a few sentences. “So, you think Luke would be okay with all that? You said he has the day off today.”
Luke? Hmm? I moved a little closer to Vinnie’s door.
“Hey Grace.” A voice came from behind me.
I gave a guilty jump and turned around.
It was Jamal.
“Hi Jamal.”
“What are you doing?” He definitely looked amused.
Jamie stuck his head out of Vinnie’s office, glared at me and then forcefully shut Vinnie’s office door with an obvious slam.
I turned to Jamal and I knew fury was written all over my face.
Jamal started chuckling.
His amusement infuriated me even more. “I’m going to the kitchen Jamal—and you better not have eaten my pink donut!”
Jamal’s eyes widened as he turned ashen. He practically ran back to his office.
I wandered over my desk. It wasn’t worth it to go to the kitchen. I knew Jamal probably already finished all the donuts anyway. The guy is the size of a football linebacker, tough as nails, and has a serious sweet tooth problem.
I sat down to think. Now what would Vinnie need Luke’s help for? Luke was Jamie’s partner who I adored as much as Jamie. I’m not trying to be obnoxiously stereotypical but Luke was definitely the feminine side of their relationship. He’s been my clothes shopping buddy more times than I can count. He can zero in on a rack of clothes and find the perfect matching top I’m looking for. I have a blast hanging out with him. He’s a chef at an upscale restaurant and consequently, works a lot of nights.
Before I could ponder this further, the A and V office phone rang just as a client walked in. All of a sudden, the office became so busy I couldn’t spend any more time trying to figure out what Vinnie was plotting.
