Page 70 of Diavolo

Elyse lifted her chin to look at him. "Sir?"

This time, when she uttered the word, her only intent was to please him. Tilting his head, he gazed down at her with expectation. Elyse's drunkenness continued to embolden her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and cooed into his ear, telling himexactlyhow she intended to thank him later that night in very explicit terms.

"Listen to me, and listen very closely. No man has ever made me feel the way you do. I love it when you touch me. I love it when you beg to fuck me. I love touching you even more. Tonight—I want to touch you,everywhere, I want to take your cock in my hand, in my mouth, and maybe even in my pussy until I lose my fucking mind from pleasure. I want you to go hard and fast. I want you sweet and slow. I want it all from you, baby. Think you're man enough to give it to me?"

Alessandro's breath hitched. His entire body tensed up as though her words had bewitched him. She slipped away from him, tripping down the path with a mischievous chuckle. Laughingly, Alessandro chased after her. She dodged him with a squeal of delight and kept running. He pursued her in easy, leisurely strides. When Alessandro caught up, he hauled Elyse back into his embrace and proceeded to kiss the living daylights out of her. He left her breathless. Elyse felt like a teenager again on a date with her first crush.

His undivided, almost obsessive devotion made Elyse feel giddy, playful, and so very desired. Was this what it felt like to fall in love? She didn't know. Nor did she care. For once, Elyse chose not to think. She simply let herself—be.Her head swam with wine and the vineyard's magic and the quixotic presence of the beautiful bastard beside her.

Alessandro and Elyse returned to the flat later in the afternoon to get ready for dinner. Alessandro changed into a black suit. Elyse donned a black long-sleeved Givenchy mini dress featuring a chain-embellished neckline. They would be going toLe Pré Catelan, a three-starred Michelin restaurant located in the center ofBois de Boulognepark, for a ten-course feast. That evening, Elyse filled her belly with curried crab paired with French caviar, salmon smoked in cherry wood with wasabi confit, langoustine ravioli served with a side of foie gras and fine gold jelly, and a plethora of other mind-blowing delicacies that she had never tasted before in her life.

In between bites, she asked teasingly, "Why are you so good to me?"

"Because," Alessandro answered in matter-of-fact tones, "I enjoy spoiling my woman."

"Thank you again for today," she said. "I'll never forget it."

He grinned broadly. "You are welcome."

"You shouldn't spoil me," Elyse joked. "I might get used to it."

His brow rose with amusement. "Butthatis the point. Is it not?To gift you everything your heart desires.This way, you cannot bear to part from me."

Uncertainty flashed across her face. She murmured, more so to herself than him. "It feels like I'm living someone else's life. None of this seems real."

Alessandro confirmed with far more confidence than her, "Get used to it,cuore mio."

"I don't know if I ever will."

Today trulyhadbeen a dream. Every moment felt like a lovely scene from a movie. Too lovely, perhaps? The alcohol had since worn off. Her usual restraint and rationale had returned as well. As Elyse sat across the romantic candlelit dinner from Alessandro, she couldn't shake the feeling that the universe might punish her for enjoying herself a bit too much.

In truth, she still knew next tonothing about this perplexing man who was about to become her husband. What she did know was troubling.Alessandro didn't love her. Yet, he was willing to dote on her because she was a Graviano. Elyse wondered how long his affections would last. Skilled womanizers like him probably tired of women quickly.

Would Alessandro lose interest after she let him fuck her a few times? What would become of her once the Gravianos no longer served his agenda? Elyse didn't want to turn into a jealous lover. Or an enemy. She didn't want to be used by Alessandro and then cast aside like a dead battery. Now that Elyse had agreed to wed him, she needed to figure out how to turn their marriage intoan impenetrable fortress. Once his father passed, all hell would break loose.

Elyse realized, then, that she needed to become Alessandro's ally, friend, andconfidant in an unbreakable manner. Otherwise, they wouldn't be strong enough to withstand the onslaught coming their way. But could she get him to trust her fully? Could she bring herself to trust him back? Their bond felt so new.Fragile. With her wine in hand, Elyse gazed at him over the rim of the glass. "May I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"What will you expect from me as your wife?"

Alessandro reached over the table to hold her hand, caressing it between his fingers. "I expect you to be happy,and, if you are unhappy, I expect you to tell me how to remedy your sadness."

She smiled winsomely at him. "You and your words."

He smiled back. "Me and my words."

"You always manage to say the right things without answering a single one of my questions."

His thumb had begun drawing slow, enticing circles across her palm. A flutter of desire came over her at his touch. Around and around, his thumb traced her skin. "I cannot answer them because your questions are far too broad."

Elyse felt her neck grow warm. "What do you mean?"

"I can only give you the answer you seek. One day at a time. After we are married. Neither you nor I will know what we need from each otherashusband and wifeuntilwe become husband and wife. All I know right now is that—I want you."

Suddenly, Alessandro let go of her hand. He reached inside his blazer and pulled out a small black velvet box. He opened it. Inside, an obscenely large diamond ring sparkled under the candlelight. Alessandro rose from his chair with the ring box in hand. He proceeded to drop down on one knee in the middle of the restaurant. His eyes gleamed bright and earnest.

"Marry me,cuore mio," he said softly, "so that I can spend a lifetime learning how to be the husband you deserve."

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