Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 32664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 163(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 163(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
"But wouldn't I be safer with you?" I'm scrambling at this point. "I mean I'm sure your security is great, but I mean...look at you!" I wave my hands to indicate his hulking body, the width of his shoulders, and the way his suit fits perfectly, tailored to him. "You're...intimidating. And..." my voice goes quiet. "I feel safe when I'm with you."
It's the right thing to say, apparently. The flattery followed by the confession about how safe he makes me feel has Dominic closing his eyes and blowing out a long breath. "It's hard to deny you anything, little one, you know that?"
I sit up a little straighter, hopeful. "It is? Does that mean...?"
"You'll come to the restaurant with me. But you are absolutely forbidden to be in the dining room or the open kitchen. You can be in the back with the pastry chef or up in my office. No exceptions."
"Yay!" I can't help but squeal, and Dominic laughs.
"You're very cute, Daisy. I'll give you that."
My cheeks heat, and I grin, standing up and reaching for his empty plate. "At least let me wash these dishes since you've been so generous."
"I pay Elena a very, very handsome salary for that, Daisy. She'll do them."
"Oh. Okay."
"Now…" He stands, suddenly looming over me, and my breath catches. “Since you’re so insistent, I hope you’re ready for a full day.”
How has he gotten even hotter?
"We'll leave in twenty minutes. Is there anything you need before we go?"
"Um...no. Just, uh..." I stumble over my words, distracted by his broad chest. "Just my purse, I guess. And maybe a jacket.”
"There are plenty of coats in the front closet."
He gestures towards the front entrance, and when I walk ahead of him, I feel his hand land on the back of my neck, warm and heavy, not grabbing or forcing, just resting there in an oddly comforting and possessive gesture. "Go on," he murmurs, following behind me. "Get your things and I'll meet you in the foyer."
I can't tell if this is the beginning of something...or if Dominic Falcone—a hot older, experienced, and dangerous mafia man—is just a naturally touchy person.
The former is what my heart wants, but the latter would be safer. But I can't help but hope as I feel Dominic's eyes burning into me while I bound up the stairs, feeling lighter and more free than I have in months.
4
DAISY
"Have you ever filled a cannoli before?"
I pause in tying the apron behind me, looking at the older woman with a self-conscious grin. "Ah...no. I don't think I've ever eaten one, either."
Marie, the pastry and dessert chef Dominic assigned me to work with, is an older Italian woman who is at least 2 inches shorter than me and a million times more intimidating. She puts her hands on her hips, glaring as she looks me up and down, before she sighs in defeat.
"Guess there's nothing to do about it. Mr. Falcone wants me to teach you, so I'll teach you. Come over here."
The drive to Il Fiore Raro was so fraught with tension between Dominic and me that I thought I was going to jump out of my skin. The sports car we took was only a two-seater, and Dominic is so huge that I felt like I was almost in his lap.
He drove like a maniac, speeding down the streets with one hand on the wheel and the other resting on my leg, like he had to constantly touch me even if it was only a few inches away from my body. I could feel his warmth through his hand, and it was all I could focus on.
And then, of course, there were the looks.
Dominic took his eyes off the road several times to glance over at me, a heavy, heated look I couldn’t read, and it made my stomach squirm and twist, making me bite my lip.
It was a relief when we finally pulled up to the restaurant, even if being around him was still nerve-wracking.
"Pay attention." Marie's stern voice snaps me out of my thoughts and brings me back to the present moment. "Filling the cannoli isn't difficult, but if you mess it up, that's less for us to work with."
"Right."
"I'll show you how to do it, and then you try. We'll start with the regular cream, and if Mr. Falcone approves, we'll add chocolate next."
I watch closely as Maria shows me exactly how to fill the cannolis, and then gives me a piping bag full of cream, watching like a hawk as I begin to fill each one. My hands are shaking a bit, but after a few minutes, they still, and my movements become quick and efficient.
"Hm." Marie looks surprised. "You're not as hopeless as I expected."
I giggle a little, pausing before starting the next. "Not the compliment I usually receive, but thanks."