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She mirrors my actions by licking my ear before whispering into it. “It’s me who is wrapped around your little finger. I was so sad tonight when you didn’t come home. Will you stay inside me all night long so you’ll have something to think about while you’re in Italy without me?”
“Oh, Francesca. You say all the right things.”
“By the way my grandfather invited me over for lunch tomorrow. Will you come with me?”
I whistle. “Ugh you drive a very hard bargain.”
She eyes me hopefully. “Well?”
“I’m not sure I can sit through a whole lunch with Franco,” I say, but when I see her little face fall, I quickly add. “But I’ll try.”
A big smile of pure joy splits her face. “Oh great.”
Her fingers sink into my hair and my cock gets instantly ready and hard. I press a kiss to her lips, gently tasting and enjoying her softness.
“I’m still mad at you for not showing up for our first date, but don’t stop.”
“Let me show you how sorry I am, hmm?” I shove her nightdress up her legs and settle between her thighs, pressing a kiss into her heat. She arches off the bed and into my mouth.
“I’ll do this all night until you forgive me.”
And I did.
And she forgave me.
Chapter Thirty-Six
FRANCESCA
When I wake up the next morning, the room is dim and the space beside me is empty. I frown, climbing off the bed, I head for the door. Did Valentino forget about lunch with my family this afternoon? Usually, when he leaves this early, he doesn’t return until late at night. Before I hurry out of the room, I pick up his shirt from the floor, pull it over my head, then remembering his wrath the last time he saw me wandering around downstairs in his shirt, I grab a pair of shorts and slide into them.
I don’t want to risk his reprimand in case he’s still at the house. He’s so possessive, but honestly, I love it. He may not love me, but he wants me, and for a man like Valentino and in a world like ours, that’s enough.
At least for now.
Ignoring the pang in my heart at the thought that he may never love me the way I love him, I jog down the steps, hoping there’s an explanation for why Valentino is away. Although he didn’t explicitly give me his word or anything, he said he would try.
That counts for something.
I relax when I round the stairway to see three men at the dining table, quietly talking while they have breakfast. My gaze flits over Roberto and Federico and alights on Valentino. And a lovely glow spreads through my body. He looks so good. Clad in a suit, like always, but this morning with the sun shining in through the windows, he looks extra good.
As if he can sense me, his gaze glides across the expanse of the room and lands on me. His eyes widen, drawing the attention of the other two men. They glance at me, but when Valentino shoots them a glare, their heads snap away. Valentino turns to me again, his expression flitting from desire to annoyance and back to desire.
I continue to walk down the steps, taking my time as my husband devours me with his eyes. His gaze slides up my legs, up my body, and settles on my face. I keep walking until I reach the dining table and slide onto his lap. His arms immediately come around me with protective fierceness. I kiss his lips.
“What did I tell you about walking around in my shirt?” he whispers in my ear. His breath flames my skin, causing a shudder to roll through me.
“I have shorts underneath.” I raise the hem of my shirt, and Valentino yanks it back down. Laughing, I twist in Valentino’s lap until I’m facing his cousins.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning,” they answer gruffly, not even looking up at me. I roll my eyes. The shirt comes halfway down to my thighs, but anyone would think I’m naked with how crazy they are all acting.
I turn to face Valentino again. “Are we still going to lunch together?”
“Of course. Are you going to join us for breakfast?”
I can’t think of anything worse than sitting here in Valentino’s shirt trying to eat breakfast while everybody behaves as if I am naked.