Page 12 of His to Honor

“Do you think I’m a dumbass for ordering fries?” She worries her bottom lip with her teeth.

“Nah, sweetheart. I know how much you love them.”

She nods, but scans the room in case people are openly judging her. It’s then she seems to realize we’re the only patrons this evening. A crease appears at the bridge of her nose as if she’s puzzled. “Do people eat later here?”

I glance at my cellphone, which is sitting on the table. Four-thirty. We rarely eat at this time ourselves. “It is early, but that’s not why it’s quiet.”

Giulia’s eyes widen in realization. “You booked out the whole restaurant?”

I shake my head. “It doesn’t usually open on a Wednesday. Damiano had them open up for us.”

Rather than being impressed by the gesture, Giulia seems pissed. Her lips thin, and her eyes narrow. “I wanted an authentic Italian dining experience.”

“That’s why I brought you here. The food is incredible.”

Giulia’s scowl deepens. “It’s not just about the food. I want to soak up the atmosphere too.”

“What’s stopping you? This place is amazing. Look at the murals on the wall. Listen to that Italian folk music. Enjoy the fucking view of the Arno. You’ve got everything you need.”

Her lips push out in a spoiled pout. “Everything except people.”

My jaw clenches. Despite not wanting her here in the first place, I’ve gone out of my way to ensure we had a pleasant day. I took her where she wanted to go. I arranged for us to have exclusive use of the finest restaurant in Florence, if not the whole of Tuscany. Still, she has the nerve to complain.

“That was kind of the point, Giulia. I want you to myself.”

She purses her lips, then rises from her seat. “Cancel our order.”

Hell, no. She did not just use that demanding tone with me. “What?”

“Cancel it. I wanted to get a flavor of Tuscan dining, not sit alone in an empty room with your spoiled ass.”

“Authentic Tuscan dining? You ordered French fries with your veal, sweetheart.”

It doesn’t seem possible, but Giulia’s glower becomes fiercer. She jabs a finger in my direction. “You’re an asshole.”

Madder than I’ve ever seen her, she turns on her heel and storms off. She is not getting away with that. Pushing back my chair, I follow her across the room. As she’s about to open the door, I grab her arm and swing her around to face me.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I demand. “I tried to do something nice for you and you’re acting like an ungrateful brat.”

She huffs out a breath. “I hate you, Matteo. Do you know that? I really fucking hate you.”

“You hate me?” I don’t know where the vitriol she’s spewing at me has come from. I honestly thought we were on the way back to being good with each other again. “You sure about that, sweetheart?”

“I’m positive.”

Stung by her attitude, I smile tightly. “In that case, I have nothing to lose.”

Gripping her arm firmly, I walk her across the empty restaurant. Alberto comes into the room with the bottle of wine I ordered. He spots us and halts. “Signore?”

“Leave the bottle on the table, unopened. Make sure nobody disturbs us.”

Alberto nods in acknowledgement of my instructions. I pull Giulia through the door leading to the office and drag her down the corridor. She tries to break free, but with my mind set on spanking the attitude out of her, she doesn’t stand a chance.

“Behave yourself, sweetheart, or you’ll make this worse for yourself.”

I push open the door to the office the restaurant manager uses, and lead Giulia inside. Whirling around, I shove her back against the wall. Her eyes widen as I bend to growl in her ear. “Lower your pants, then turn and face the wall.”

“Matteo!”

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