Page 69

"A bath? A bath, he says," Gigi looks at me for support. "Next, he'll tell me to take a Xanax and drink a bottle of wine."

"I'm sorry," I snort, hiding my face in one hand and waving my other in apology. But I can't help it. It's most likely hysterical laughter, but the outrage on Gigi's face is just too much.

She mock glares, thankfully sounding more amused now.

Vito snorts as well, and that just makes me laugh harder.

"Well, aren't you two just a peachy pair?" Gigi scolds.

I keep waving my hand, I want to stop laughing, but Vito's laughter makes it nearly impossible.

"Oh, for crying out loud, some friends I have," she laments, which only makes Vito and me laugh harder. Finally, she breaks down, too, and her laughter joins ours. I don’t know how it happened, but for some reason, all three of us are holding each other up, laughing as if we'd just been told the most hilarious joke ever.

"Looks like I missed an invitation to a party," a sharp voice rips us apart.

"Toni!" Gigi squeals, freeing herself from Vito and my embrace and running into her brother’s arms.

Vito steps instantly back from me, and my eyes are glued to the man who just entered. His black hair is wet and slicked back, and the arms of his shirt are rolled up, exposing strong, sinewed forearms. His muscles flex as he presses Gigi against him. His eyes, however, search me out. The moment they meet mine, my heart stutters. My left hand flies to my chest, while my right looks for support on one of the sofa headrests because my legs have turned to Jell-O.

Gigi clings to him in happiness, while I just take him in. He looks like he hasn't slept in days, and a several-day dark stubble grows on his chin and cheeks, making him look even more dangerous than ever.

I realize how stupid it sounds. We've only known each other for a little while, days, really. But if I didn't know any better, I would have said that I'm just as head over heels for him as Gigi is for Vito. I can't look away from him. I can't stop staring, as if he were a masterpiece of art that I'll only get a glimpse of before it's taken away forever. I soak up every little detail. And I don't miss the dried blood on his pants and shirt.

Whatever happened, wherever he’s been… whatever he did… it doesn’t matter to me. Not in the slightest. He could have burned an entire town to the ground, and it wouldn’t change a thing. The only thing that matters is that he’s here, that he's back.Heis all that I care about.

He whispers something in Gigi's ear, and she reluctantly lets go of him. He starts walking over to me, and my heart picks up speed. Suddenly, I feel all shy, with first-day girlfriend jitters. What do I do? Embrace him? Kiss him? Where I was cold before,sweat trickles down my back, because I have no idea what to do. His dark eyes burn with an intensity that nearly robs me of my breath. No matter how much I want to, I can’t move. Rooted, I stay by the chair.

He stops just two feet from me and takes me in. "You're a sight for sore eyes, Bellissima."

With that, he puts his hand around my waist and twirls me around in one of those moves you see in old movies, bending me backward. With the other hand, he grabs hold of my head, pushes it up, and meets my lips in the most intense kiss of my life.

I'm simply hanging on his arm, unable to support one bit of myself. My heart feels ready to beat right out of my chest, and my blood feels like thick, hot lava pulsing through my veins.

My lips part the moment his make contact. His tongue enters like a conquering army as he stakes his claim on me. And I'm all too willing to surrender. Fully and entirely. I want this man. I want him more than I've ever wanted anything, and I'm willing to do anything to keep him.

Nobody makes me feel like him. Safe, secure, sexy, desired, wanted, beautiful, and most of all—his.

Before I realize what's happening, the hand that was in my hair moves down behind my knees, and he picks me up bridal style. Never stopping the kiss, he carries me out of the room.

"Boss?" Vito's voice is hesitant, but he manages to sound urgent.

Antonio starts up the stairs, waving at Vito with the hand supporting my waist. I hear Gigi giggle, but all that gets further and further away as my body melts into Antonio’s. The ironythat this mafia man is the most romantic man I've ever met isn't lost on me. Not that I care. All the things—law, propriety, morals—leave me one by one as Antonio claims my heart with each passing day.

He takes me back into his bedroom, where he places me on the bed. "I missed you," he says, looking me up and down.

"I missed you too," I smile.

"I need to take a shower, but I promise, as soon as I'm done, I'm all yours."

"Hmm, I like the sound of that," I reply, deepening my smile.

"Don’t look at me like that," he shakes his head and begins to take his cufflinks off. My eyes follow his movement and find dark spots on his white shirt sleeves.

"Is that blood?"

"Shit." He tries to cover the sleeves, but I jump up.

"Don't," I stop him from turning around. "I don't want you to hide anything from me, Antonio. Ever."