Page 72 of De Luca: The Saint

“I’m sorry. That wasn’t right. Fuck Angel. I lost my head.”

Katherina licks her lips, and sits back on her heels, assessing me like she’s trying to figure me out, “What? That was hot. Did you not like it?”

I shake my head at her, “It was perfect, but I was too rough, and I didn’t even ask for consent.”

She rises to her feet, “For right now, we’re just Kat and Damian, alright?”

I nod, and she wraps her arms around my waist, tilts her head back, and looks into my eyes, “Damian, it was hot. You don’t need consent. I understand completely why that’s a hot button for you. Consent is no longer required. You have it permanently. If I choose to take it away, I will let you know. I have my safe word, if I need to, I will use it. If you are too rough, I will let you know. If there’s something I don’t like, I’ll ask you not to do it again. But that was the hottest thing I’ve ever experienced, and I definitely want you to do it again.”

“If you get any more perfect for me, I’m going to throw you over my shoulder, and take you to a Justice of the Peace and marry you without even asking.”

Kat huffs loudly, “I don’t think so. Ask nicely or marry your damn self.”

My eyes bore into hers. This is a moment I’ll never forget. Katherina is like stepping into a pool of healing. I don’t just feel like I’m healing from what the Bianchi’s put us through. Also, the shit with my mom and Dalia. I’ve always felt off, and broken, but Kat makes me feel whole. She makes me feel like less of a monster. I wouldn’t say I think I deserve her, I probably never will, but I’ll keep her anyway. I guess the selfish bastard in me will never truly die.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Kat

Two Months Later…

Sundays are family dinner nights, always at one of the De Luca brothers’ homes, more often than not, at Domenic’s.

This morning, Damian told me we were having dinner at Domenic and Giada’s tonight. He wouldn’t tell me why, but I feel like something is up, yet I don’t know what. It’s Friday, so it’s not the usual family dinner night.

I kept asking, but all I got was a kiss on the tip of my nose with an order to ‘stop asking so many questions.’ It worked. I stopped asking questions but thought of nothing else all day. I worked but was distracted nonstop. Of course, I asked Giada, but the only response I got was that little zipped-up lip emoji.

I’m waiting for Damian now that I’m dressed. I chose a dress he bought for me about a week ago. It’s soft, flowing, and hangs down just past my knees, with a slit up the side. It’s a ‘V’ cut but not a plunging neckline, so I don’t feel weird wearing it around his brothers. The overall color is light blue, with dark blue flowers placed in a sporadic pattern. I hope he likes it as much as he did in the store.

I turn to the sound of Damian walking through the door. He stops and stares at me, “Fuck Kitty Kat, you look good enough to eat.”

I giggle, “Not until I find out what’s going on.”

He chuckles lightly, “Are you ready then?”

Grabbing my purse, I smile, “Let’s go.”

He grabs me by the shoulders, “Not before I get a kiss. I fucking missed you.”

Damian slams his lips to mine and makes it clear that he, indeed, did miss me. Breaking our kiss, he licks his lips, “I love that taste.”

I narrow my gaze, “What taste?”

Damian takes my hand as he grins, “You Angel. All you. You’re my favorite flavor.”

I roll my eyes at his silliness as we walk out to the car.

Once we’re on our way, I relax. There’s something about his scent that instantly calms me. It’s almost like I can feel his arms around me. Damian reaches over, laces his fingers with mine, and brings my hands to his lips, “You really do look beautiful.”

I swallow the lump in my throat, “Thank you.”

I still have trouble with compliments sometimes, but it’s getting easier. Still, I can’t fathom how a man like him is so attracted to me. I’m not ugly, far from it, but he’s in a league of his own.

We pull up to the house, and he gets out before helping me out of the vehicle. He stops for a moment, “Before we go inside, can I show you something?”

I smile slightly, “Of course.”

He takes my hand, and we walk silently along a long, winding rock path. I see lights in the distance but can’t distinguish what they are. Eventually, as we get closer, I see they are clear lights strung over a gazebo.

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