Page 522 of One More Kiss

Avery

I skipped down the stairs,happier than I’d ever been. That was because of Paolo and how he made me feel. He was protective of me, but he was also sweet and caring. He made me smile, and I felt safe whenever I was around him.

I bounded down to the bottom step and came to a skidding halt as my father almost crashed into me.

“Avery?” he asked, a furrow between his brows. “What on earth?”

I reached up onto my tiptoes and pressed a kiss against his cheek.

“Morning, Father,” I said. “Are you still coming to the store with me?”

I secretly hoped that he would say no.

His expression fell, and he scrubbed his hand down his face. “Ah, principessa, I’m sorry. It completely slipped my mind.”

“That’s okay,” I said, trying to sound appropriately disappointed.

“Paolo will go with you. Get whatever you need. Spend the day shopping, have dinner, and spend the night in the city. Go see a show or something,” he said, as he handed me his credit card. “Marco and I have things to take care of.”

“It’s fine,” I told him and pushed the card back into his hand.

“Nonsense,” he replied. “I’ll organize the hotel, somewhere I trust. I’ll send you the details. Get all the decorations for the party.”

I smiled at him.

“Thanks, Daddy,” I whispered and pressed another kiss against his cheek.

“I’ll let you know when it’s organized, principessa. While in the city, you must stay with Paolo. Do exactly as he says.”

I nodded. What I had planned with Paolo meant that I’d get extremely close with him. I ached for him to be inside of me. We’d only kissed, yet it felt so much more than just kissing.

My father left with Marco, leaving Paolo and I alone.

“You ready for today, babe?” he asked with a wink.

“Like you wouldn’t believe,” I replied. “Did you talk to my father about everything?”

Before Paolo could respond, the housekeeper walked into the room. She held a bouquet of roses in her arms.

“These arrived for you, Avery,” she said. “They’re beautiful.”

I took them from her. “Grazia, Rosa.”

When Rosa left the room, I turned to Paolo with a smile. His jaw ticked as he stared at the bouquet, and my happiness withered.

I guessed these weren’t from him.

My hand shook as I read the card attached to the flowers.

Avery,

Thank you for a wonderful date.

I’m hoping that we can do it again sometime. Maybe next time in a more intimate setting.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Joe

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