Page 30 of His Vicious Desire

There are a few ottomans.I don’t think they’ll work with his two recliners, though.I’m pouting and about to give up when Gaetano finds it.“This one isn’t so bad.”

I turn and find him two aisles over.He glares at a guy who appears interested in the box he has his hand on.I understand why I didn’t see it.It’s the only one, and it’s not on display since it’s on sale for half its normal price.Seeing the picture on the box, he’s right—it fits his place perfectly.

“It’s perfect!I love it.”I’m excited as I try to pick it up.

“You know you are not allowed to pick up anything.Move, princess.”He orders gruffly.

Rolling my eyes at him, I’m focused on the side tables that are tall for right beside his recliner.He has one now, but it’s ugly in a total ’80s vibe.This one is black metal and has a round top with a teardrop bottom.

“I love this one.What do you think is one enough, or should we get two for, you know, symmetry?”

“Do I look like someone who cares about symmetry?”Is muttered as he hefts the table into the cart.“Are we done yet?If not, we need a new cart.”

“I’ll go get a new cart?—”

“Hi, do you need this?”An employee in a red shirt offers a flat dolly to Gaetano.

Gaetano nods.“Thanks.”

The guy helps Gaetano load the large boxes onto the dolly while I decide one black metal table is enough and focus on picking out trays to go on top of the ottoman.Ooh, these trays have black metal holding the gray, washed wood pieces together—perfect.

I’m getting frustrated with every passing minute.

“What’s the matter, princess?”Gaetano is at my back as I survey the rugs.

“They don’t have a rug that fits your space.”

“The one on the end isn’t bad.”

I glare at him.“It isn’t about what you can put up with.It needs to be what adds to your space.”I sigh as I realize how long we’ve spent in here.Time really does disappear in this place.“The best place to go is closing in half an hour.We’ll never make it.”

“Where is this place?”He’s wary, and I remember it’s not only me who can’t get caught.It’s us together.

“Okay, yes, I was thinking of the place near me.However, they are everywhere.”I do a search on my phone for the closest one and show him the results.There’s one only ten minutes from here.“What do you think?I think it’s great.This way, we can also get you the window coverings you need too.”

His sigh is from the bottom of his lungs.“I have the blinds…” I’m guessing he can tell I’m not listening as I study the throw rugs.“Fine, I’m getting window coverings.Tomorrow, we’ll go.”

“Yay, okay.Wait, we should be looking for some bookshelves for you.How are you a reader and you don’t have shelves for books?How do you not have books?”

A wide shoulder lifts.“I have bookshelves and books.One of the empty bedrooms is a library.”

“You have a library and didn’t tell me?”I’m not sure why I’m hurt.

Both shoulders lift.“It wasn’t like I kept it from you.You didn’t ask if I had a library.If you want to go into it, you can.You just can’t go into my office.”

Rolling my eyes, “I think you’ve told me about a dozen times I’m not allowed in your office.I get it, Gaetano.I’m also not an idiot, I wasn’t and am still not allowed into Sandro’s office.Let’s go so we can start building everything.I’m so excited.”

Gaetano

The last few hours have been far more fun than I’ve had in years.Hell, I can’t remember the last time I had fun.I’m sure Dario thought that dragging me along on one of his ridiculous escapades was fun.They weren’t when you’re the designated driver who is supposed to be watching out to make sure we don’t wind up in jail.

A few times with Sandro, I had fun.And fucking hell, the reminder hits me like a sucker punch.I shouldn’t be having fun with my best friend’s little sister, who I want to fuck more desperately than I’ve ever wanted anything else in this world.

Except, damn it, I don’t regret a single minute.I was certain this was the equivalent of my penance for having her here.Especially when if I seriously wanted furniture I wouldn’t have bought it at a store like we bought it from.I would have spent five times this at a place where I wouldn’t be putting anything together.

Bianca is as good at helping as she said she was.She let me be in charge without questioning me or asking if I read the directions—which, of course, I hadn’t.And she didn’t say a word when I had it wrong.She simply handed me the right tool or screw each time without me asking for it.While I might have gotten something wrong, she never did.

Now that everything is in place, I hate to admit it, but it looks good.“I like it.”

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