I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head on his warm back. “Good morning.”
I don’t know why I just walked up to him like this. It almost feels like habit, as if this is my normal morning routine. He turns the gas stove off and turns around. He brings me back close to his body as he picks me up and places me on the counter.
“Did you sleep well?” His voice is still raspy with sleep.
“I could’ve slept better.” I trail a finger down his bare chest, contradicting every thought I had last night.
He looks down at my hand, and a small smile forms into a big one. He grabs my hand softly, takes my legs, and places them around his waist. I pull him closer to me, my arms roping around his shoulders. He picks my chin up with his hand, mouth inches from mine.
I can’t force my heart into it, but I know that I want him. His mouth finds my neck, burying his face into me.
My head falls back, accepting everything that is Giovanni.
My fingernails dig into his back as he bites on my neck gently. I can’t deny how he makes me feel.
Everything about him sets me on fire. Right now, I can’t think of a moment better than this. I don’t know how I was able to go through life without him. The way he takes control of me and protects me . . .
His mouth finally finds mine as I dig my nails deeper into his back.
“Careful,” he says, pulling away from me.
The man standing in front of me is the same one I knew before last night. Careless and infuriating. He looks over his shoulder as he moves the food to the plate. I would pay good money to understand what is going through his mind right now.
“Stai arrossendo.”He laughs more than I have ever heard him laugh before.
“What? You think this is funny?”
Not a damn thing about this is funny.What kind of tactic is this?
He turns back to face me and places a peck on my lips. “You want me?”
I glance to the side. I don’t want to admit what I want. I’ve wanted him for months, and he knows that. He was the one who said it.
Of all the people I could possibly want, it just had to be him.
“If this you’re trying to make me fall for you, I’d try a new tactic.” I hop off the counter and start to walk toward my room when I hear him scoff and turn back around.
“Amore mio?”A smirk appears on his lips.“Non sembra che devo provare.”
“What?” Frustration floods my veins.Why can’t he just stick to one language?
“Enzo will be here soon. Get ready.”
“Get ready for what?”
“He’s taking you shopping.”
He reaches for his wallet and pulls out a card. “Here.” He places it on the table.
“I don’t need your money—I have my own.”
“You will only use mine now. If I find out you used your own, or your papa’s, I’ll have to teach you a lesson I really don’t feel like teaching.”
I stare at him in frustration.Why am I fighting with him so much already?
The pace of my breathing picks up as my lips press into a line.
“Oh, and Nina?”