Page 68 of That's Amore

I waited.

“You were a stubborn son of a bitch who always got what he wanted. I doubt that has changed.”

We talked for nearly three hours. It felt good to connect with Theo, but by the time I got back to my suite, the bourbon had settled into a warm haze in my chest, loosening my thoughts and my inhibitions.

I poured myself another drink from the bar cart as I replayed Theo’s words. I set the drink aside, and before I could second-guess myself, I grabbed my phone and dialedhernumber.

I sat on the couch, looking at the beautiful city of Rome, and waited to hear her voice.

She picked up on the third ring. “Hello?”

“Elysa,” I slurred. “It’s me.”

“Yep! I got that when your name flashed on my phone. It’s one in the morning, Dante.”

“Do you know that I haven’t been in the flat since you left?” The words came out a little garbled.

There was a pause. “Dante? Are you drunk?”

“Maybe,” I admitted, sinking into the couch.

“Dante, what do you want?” she asked gently like the sober person does when talking to the drunk moron.

“I want you.” The words spilled out of me, coming from my heart. “I miss you, Elysa. I miss us. I know I messed up, but I can’t fucking lose you.”

She sighed, and I could hear her frustration. “Dante, look?—”

“I…wanted to hear your voice,bella mia.” I sat up straighter, though it took some effort. “I love you so fucking much that it hurts not to have you with me.”

The silence on the other end of the line was deafening.

I heard a sniffle.

“Merda! Elysa, are you crying?” The whiskey was still making me woozy, but I was on alert. “Are you hurt,amore?”

I’d never called hermy lovebefore. I’d never called any woman that.

“You never get drunk.”

“I’ve also never lost the love of my life.”

This time, I heard a sigh. “Dante, let’s talk tomorrow. I’m assuming you’ll be coming over for dinner.”

I smiled at the thought, closing my eyes. “Si. I missed you today. I don’t like eating without you.”

“Get some sleep?—”

“I miss the sounds you make when you come on my tongue.” I felt my dick kick into action. “How you say my name. Do you miss that,amore? Do you miss feeling me inside you? Filling you up?”

I palmed my erection over my slacks and stroked. “I love hearing you scream when I take you from behind. Remember that time in Nonno’s library.”

Her breathing was ragged now.

“Are you in bed,bella?”

I thought she’d hung up when I heard her say, “Si.”

“Elysa, I fucking want you,” I said in exasperation.