Page 129 of Empire of Seduction

I fingered the diamond necklace he gave me and accepted defeat. Somewhere along the line I fell in love with this dangerous, smart and steady man. Most people would say it was a bad idea, but right now he felt like the best thing in my entire life. I couldn’t ever remember being this happy.

I trudged into the bathroom and spent a few minutes getting ready. At some point Vito had brought in my clean clothes and laid them out for me on the counter. He really thoughtof everything. Did anything ever catch this man off-guard or surprise him?

I dug around in my cosmetics bag for a tube of ointment for my lips. While searching, I brushed an old tube of lipstick out of the way. Then I paused, an idea popping into my head. Sometimes it was hard for me to express love or affection for other people. My therapist once said it was because love frightened me, especially after losing both of my parents, and we were often reluctant to do things we feared.

But I wasn’t afraid anymore. This man understood me. My attitude as a defense mechanism didn’t scare him. And after last night, I trusted Vito to take care of my heart.

On impulse, I grabbed the tube and uncapped it. Dark red. Perfect. I wrote him a note on the bathroom mirror, one that would make my feelings for him perfectly clear. It was silly, but concise.

Smiling, I collected my things and went into the bedroom. There weren’t any messages on my phone and the emails could wait. Still, as much as I’d like to hang out and see more of Toronto, I did need to get back to Paesano. With the Red Blotch and winter promotions, there was a lot going on at the winery.

I took my overnight bag downstairs. Vito was in the kitchen, fully dressed and sitting at the island, his back to me. When I set my bag down, he looked over his shoulder. He hadn’t shaved yet and wore his glasses. Then he gave me a rare lopsided grin that melted my heart. “Buongiorno, amore.”

More with theamore. God, he was killing me.

I went over and gave him a kiss. “Morning, bello. Have you been up long?”

“About an hour. I wanted to let you sleep.” Hand squeezing my hip, he rose. “Sit. I’ll make you a cappuccino.”

I would never turn one down one of his cappuccinos, so I did as he ordered. “What time are we going back this morning?”

“Would you like to stay and see more of the city?”

I hated to be a buzzkill, but I hadn’t planned to be away even one night, let alone more. “Another time, maybe. I really need to get back.”

He started the espresso machine brewing, then went to the refrigerator for milk. “I figured you might say as much. We’re scheduled to depart in an hour and a half.”

My man, always prepared. “Were you a Boy Scout?”

“No, why?”

“Nothing, forget it.” Content to watch him, I propped my chin in my hands and stared at his back as he moved. I envisioned a lifetime of mornings like this, quiet with just the two of us. Cappuccinos and sunshine, warm showers and lingering kisses. I wanted it so badly, craved that steady existence with my whole heart. This man would be at the center of it. And the winery, of course.

How those pieces fit together wasn’t exactly clear, but no doubt Vito could come up with a plan.

He set the cup in front of me, his keen gaze taking in my expression. “What are you thinking about?”

I picked up the cappuccino and cradled it in my palms. I wasn’t ready to discuss our future, so I said, “Thank you for last night.”

Placing his elbows on the counter, he leaned over. “You are very welcome, angelo mio.”

Impulsively, I set my cup down and lunged over the bar to kiss him. The awkward position prevented the kiss from deepening, but I didn’t care. I just needed my mouth on his for an extended period of time. His big palm cradled my jaw, while his warm breath—coffee and mint—mingled with mine. His lips were plush velvet, soft against my mouth, and I was happy to exist in this little bubble with him forever.

“That was nice,” he murmured as we pulled apart. “You are making me rethink our flight schedule.”

I gasped in mock horror. “And change your plans?”

“Are you making fun of me, bella?” He came around the bar and I could see the humor lurking behind his glasses. “Because I can still punish you and fly back at the same time.”

I grabbed his belt and dragged him closer. “Promise?”

Growling, he bent to kiss me again, and I offered up everything I was thinking and feeling, everything I had stored inside me, through that kiss. All my hopes, all my dreams. Every bit of love I’d buried. I gave it all to him without fear, without resistance. My heart belonged to this man. I wouldn’t tell him with words, but I wanted him to know.

He gave me a few more kisses, like he was reluctant to stop, then he sighed and straightened. “Maybe I will help you join the mile high club on the way back.”

My lower half clenched, perking up at the idea. “Won’t your men know we’re having sex?”

Letting me go, he returned to his seat and coffee. “Does this bother you?”

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