“Why did you stop?”
I put my cup down and run my finger along the top. “Lorenzo said the kitchen was no place for a Parisi. He wouldn’t allow mama or I to associate with the staff.”
Maria comes out with a basket of rolls and a bowl of fruit salad, ending that discussion. Stone waits for me to serve myself.
“You made these?” he asks, dabbing the corner of his mouth after taking his first bite.
“With a lot of guidance from Maria.”
“They’re delicious.”
His compliment shouldn’t make my heart flutter. It shouldn't make me want him so much. But it does.
“Thank you.”
We finish our breakfast in companionable silence. When we’re done, he walks me to my room. “I’m going to take a shower.” I run my finger along the edge of my tank top. I don’t know how to do the flirting thing, or to let him know I’m more than ready to have sex again.
Stone’s eyes darken, his gaze lowering to my chest, then rising back up to my face before settling on my lips. I lick them and he cups my cheek, following the path my tongue made with his thumb.
“Boss,” Marco says from down the hall.
The moment is lost. He moves away and goes to Marco, leaving me alone and incredibly aroused.
I don’t see Stone for the rest of the day. He’s in his office with the door closed. Marco and Tio are with him. A little before dinner Lucca appears and goes into the office as well.
I spend the afternoon and evening with Maria again. We make manicotti, salad, and bread. I can tell she is disappointed Stone ignores me so much, being newlyweds and all. I don’t need his constant attention, but his staff is going to suspect there’s trouble in paradise. Even though the housekeepers, groundskeepers, and property guards keep to themselves, they’re bound to notice how often we’re together, and how often we’re not.
I don’t let it bother me. It’s not really my problem. The ball is rolling for whatever Stone’s next step is in his masterplan. I only hope it doesn’t involve me going to Parisi vineyards. I’ll be happy if I never step foot on that property again.
I hear a door open and slip off the stool where I’ve been sipping wine, hoping to talk to Stone. I find Tio in the hallway instead.
“You all must be hungry. Dinner is ready if you’d like to join us.”
He looks over his shoulder and shrugs. “Not sure,” is all he says before leaving.
Not caring if I come off as a nag, I knock on the office door and open it a crack. “Dinner is ready. You’ve been cooped up in here too long. We’re eating outside. You have five minutes to wash up and join us.”
I close the door and hurry back to the kitchen before Stone can argue with me. Granted, he can simply not show. He doesn’t appreciate being told what to do in front of his men. I pray my plan to have dinner with him doesn’t backfire.
“I’ve asked the men to join us outside.” I open the cabinet that holds the plates and take down five. I’d love for Maria to eat with us as well, but I know that’s going too far in Stone’s book. He’s not ready for family dinners.
I place them around the table outside and turn to go back in for silverware, bumping into Stone’s solid chest.
“What are you doing?” he growls.
“Setting the table for dinner.”
“Why?”
“Oh, that’s right. Vampires feast on blood and don’t need protein and vegetables.”
“You’ve changed.” He doesn’t move as he looks down on me.
“No, I haven’t. This is who I’ve always been.”
“You used to cower, afraid to cross me. And now you’re telling me what to do?”
“I was afraid because I didn’t know you.”