Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
A knock comes against the door frame. “Dinner, Signoras.”
“Come in.” The chef brings in a tray with two other servers.
“Please enjoy, Mrs. Bianchi.” I realize he’s speaking to me. “This is not how I planned to serve my first dinner to you, but alas, things can’t be perfect all the time.”
“It smells fabulous.”
“Grazie. If you should need anything, please do not hesitate. I am Giuseppe,” he says.
“Grazie, Giuseppe.”
“I hope you two have a pleasant night. Get some rest. We have a big day tomorrow,” his mother says, brushing a kiss to my temple before standing.
“Yes, Mrs. Bianchi.”
“Come, Giuseppe. I’m sure they want to eat in private.” He leaves with her, and his staff goes with him. She closes the door with a goodnight.
“Goodnight.”
That’s when I process that the shower has turned off. I don’t know how long it’s been that way until the door opens, and Domani is just in his towel that’s snugly wrapped around his waist. He has another towel that he’s running through his thick dark hair. Muscles bulge from his biceps, creating a compelling picture. His broad chest has a spattering of hair across his killer pectorals and down to his taut abs, making a happy trail to his large cock that’s jerking under the cloth material. I’m practically panting in heat. My thighs clench shut as I stare.
“Amore, stop looking at me naked. I’m doing my best to wait until our wedding day.”
“Dom…sorry. Um…I just didn’t expect you to be so…gorgeous,” I confess.
With a growl, he adds, “Give me a minute.” He steps into his closet out of sight and comes back a minute later in a pair of sweats and a tee-shirt, adding a different element to his sexy. Who knew a man like him owned regular clothes? “Come on. Let’s eat before it gets cold. Giuseppe wouldn’t want you to be upset with his cooking.”
“Okay.” I climb off the bed and walk around to the small table in his room, taking a seat across from him. I’ve never eaten in front of him before. In fact, everything about this man is new to me, except the years of fantasizing about him.
“Eat, Aria. When we say our vows, you will be too busy for food for a long while. Do get your nourishment in now.” I lift up the lid to my plate to hide my blush when it comes to us fucking. When I look at my dish, it’s one of my favorites—Pappardelle in a beef and mushroom sauce. Looking up at Domani, I wonder if he knew it was my favorite. “You can learn a lot about someone from their Pinterest posts.”
“I can’t believe you did this for me.”
He pours a glass of wine for both of us. I don’t drink a lot of wine, but at a good dinner, my parents let me have a bit. “It’s nothing. I don’t cook the food; still, I am glad you are pleased. Now, do eat.” He begins to dip his bread into the sauce before taking a large bite of the pasta.
“This is delicious. I think I’m in love.” I moan, taking another bite.
“Hey, don’t get Giuseppe killed, now,” he growls, taking a drink of his wine.
“Silly, I meant the dish. I better continue running every day or I’ll be getting chunky.”
“You can run if you please, but it must be in the gym here. I do not trust your safety.”
“I know. I prefer the treadmill anyway. It’s not like I’ve been let out much since that day with Franco.”
He pauses with his fork midair. “No talk of him tonight, please. I’d like to enjoy my dinner, cara mia.”
“Yes, sorry. So when you’re not all mob bossing and stuff, what do you do for fun?”
“Fun? I watch television or read books. What about you?”
I shoot my brow up at him and then shake my head before taking a sip of my drink. “I’m guessing you already know that, but I’ll humor you.” Setting the glass down, I continue. “I like to draw and paint. Nothing fancy, just stuff to occupy my time outside of my schoolwork, and well, pure boredom.”
His face lights up. “Are those your drawings on Pinterest?”
“Yes. I’ve had offers and requests, but they’re just for me.”
“Well, they are lovely. I especially love the girl staring out her window with a whimsical look, as if waiting on her lover.”
I gasp. “Is that what you see?”
“I do. Is that not what it is?”
I smile widely. “No, you’re a hundred percent correct on it. Some think she’s depressed, miserable.”
“They miss the slightest glint in her eyes or the upturn of her lips.”
“Thank you, Domani. I’m glad someone truly enjoyed it.”
“I’m sure there are many others that caught it.”
“No one I know. You’re the first person that actually took a real interest in my art.”