Page 19 of The Agreement

“Oh no,innamorato(sweetheart), I don’t plan those kinds of things, that is all on you.” She gave him a sharp look and then smacked his stomach, causing him to laugh. But before she could move her hand away, he held it there, his eyes staring into hers. Slowly, his other hand came up and his knuckles brushed along her cheek. “I would want to make you happy,” he whispered as his hand moved to cup her cheek and his lips brushed over hers softly. She quietly whimpered as her other hand rested lightly on his hip as her lips moved with his.

For the first time, she never had a kiss stolen nor was she used for it, but it was freely given. And who would have thought it would be to this man? Slowly, he pulled back and looked into her eyes, his thumb rubbing over her cheek. He gave her a soft smile as he placed a light kiss on her forehead and then stepped away, heading back to his office.

She brushed her fingertips over her lips, still feeling the tingle that was left there. Well, hell, for her first real kiss was actually with the one man she had always hated, who would have thought that would happen?

-----

‘I kissed her again and for real, no reason other than I wanted to,’ was the only thought running through Vinny’s mind as he made his way back to his office. He knew he would have to at some point. He also knew sex was going to happen. They would have a real marriage, which means moments like that would happen. And it’s not the moment that had his mind-twisting; it wasn’t like that was his first kiss.

Oh, no, what had his mind-twisting over this was how much he liked it; and how badly he wanted to do it again. And honestly, it was making him want her even more. And all of that was something he never saw truly happening.

~ Chapter 16 ~

The following day, Val still couldn’t shake the kiss out of her mind. Nor could she deny how much she liked it and wanted to do it again. He had let her stay in a guest room and the next morning she had gone home to change and grab her school stuff. And now, she was on her way, in a vehicle her to-be-in-laws had sent to pick her up so she could have lunch with them and discuss wedding stuff all with that kiss plaguing her mind.

Yeah, she had no clue had to do that. And normally she was the calm and collected type. But, like everything else that came along with Giovanni, he got under the skin, just in a different way than in their past. Or, at least for the most part; there were still times he irked her and pissed her off the wrong way.

“Here we are, ma’am.” Val lifted her head and stared at the restaurant that she came to quite often enough with her mother.

“Thank you.” The guy nodded as he held the door open for her and helped her out. She took a deep breath as she opened the door to the restaurant, quickly seeing the table full of ladies, her mom included. She couldn’t help the smile that overtook her face as she walked over and kissed her mom’s cheek. “Hi mom, hi ladies,” she said, smiling at everyone in turn.

“Hi Valentina,” Sofia said as she stood up and hugged her. “We are glad you could make it.”

“Well, can’t put off making wedding plans.” Val took the seat next to her mom.

“Have you and Vinny discussed anything?” Val turned her attention to the right of her, which was the oldest daughter, Delfina.

“Nope. In fact, when he mentioned this to me, he said to go with whatever I wanted that this was my show.” Delfina laughed as she rolled her eyes.

“Typical response from my brother. You should make him wear some ugly suit just so he would see what you are doing. Promise then he would pay attention.”

“You know, Del, I like the way you think.” Valentina laughed a little and then looked at the other ladies. “I’m sorry, I don’t think we meet at the party.” Valentina held her hand out to the lady on the other side of Delfina.

“I’m Marcelline, but you can call me Mar.” As Val took her hand, she realized that she was the sister that Vinny had in his group of ladies the night his parents had their party.

“A pleasure.”

“And I’m Izabella.”

“Ah, you must be the one Vinny warns me about. Says he’s had a good time tossing boys out because of your good looks.” Val looked around at the ladies, actually finding them all quite beautiful and feeling like she was lacking next to them.

“Vinny stands up to all the males for us. Getting a date is near impossible.”

“I’ll see what I can do for you Mar.” They shared another laugh and looked over the menus before placing their orders.

“Do you know where you want the ceremony?”

“I do Sofia. My parents got married in a gorgeous church by the lake, and that’s where I’d love to have it. I even want to recreate the photo they have.” Val looked at her mom who only smiled back.

“That sounds wonderful! It’s nice to carry on traditions, and I’m sure Vinny would love that,” Sofia said.

“I believe he doesn’t have a choice,” Val told her, making the table laugh yet again.

“Val, what happened to your arm?” Val glanced at the bandage and then up to Izabella and swallowed hard.

“I wasn’t paying attention to where I was walking in my dad’s garage and something sliced my arm.”

“Oh, goodness, I hope it was okay?”

---