Page 77 of Mafia Scars

“Yeah. It’s not Italy, but it’s close. I bought this plot of land a few years back.”

Bought the land. Of course.

“You own this?” I gasped.

“Just this part.” He motioned with his hand, waving about the place in a casual manner, but he pointed to basically everything.

“That was everything.” I laughed.

“Nah, just as far as that tree with the sign and most of the lake.” The tree he pointed to was so far away I could just about make out the little sign it had hanging from one of the branches.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“What?” he huffed.

“You own most of the land, you are mega rich, and you’re trying to tamp down what you have.” I could see straight through him.

He sighed. “Okay, since today was about me showing you what a real day with me is like, I guess I’ll confess.”

“So, most of the land is yours?”

“Yes,” he replied with a slight hint of hesitation.

“I love it.” I tucked a stray wisp of hair behind my ear. “Why wouldn’t you want me to know that?” I brushed my finger across his chest, relishing the feel of the hard walls. I smiled at the contact.

“It’s not that. I just don’t want you to be thinking about how I got it.”

Oh, I saw that now, understanding. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It does to me.”

“But this is about the real you,” I pointed out. “Also, while I love the picnic idea, aren’t we supposed to be naked right about now?” I arched a brow and considered him. I was addicted to the man and how he made me feel.

He made me forget. Everything.

I wanted to forget everything now and get lost in him.

He leaned forward and kissed the bridge of my nose, lingering there for a moment, then pulling back an inch to remain close to me.

“Change of plans.”

I pressed my hands to his chest, then ran my fingers up to cup his jaw. He closed his eyes and pulled in a breath, showing me he savored my touch.

“Why the change of plans?” My voice forced him to open his eyes.

“Too much sex means we never get to know each other. God knows I can’t get enough of you, Amelia, but I don’t just want us to be physical.”

Okay, I liked that. I really liked that, and it meant a lot to hear it and know he wanted to know even more about me.

Was there any point to me acknowledging that I’d fallen for this man long ago and never quite realized how badly I’d fallen?

“Me neither.”

He brushed his lips over mine, then stepped back with a gentle smile that showed off his dimples.

“You’ll like what I made us.”

“What is it?”