Page 80 of Empire of Temptation

The scowl he usually wore disappeared and I could feel his big body relax. “You think a lot about food.”

“Doesn’t everyone?”

“Not around you. I’m too busy thinking of ways to defile your sexy body.”

A rush of lust tightened my nipples into painful points and I edged closer to him. “And when you do, I’ll need my strength. Which means I need food. See how that works?”

Luca’s chest shook as he chuckled. “I will buy you french toast, fiore mio, as soon as we finish with the handbags.”

Ms. Dumas returned and I jumped away from Luca guiltily, like we’d been caught planning a robbery and not discussing brunch. He didn’t let go of me, just continued to look amused. Over the next tenminutes he picked out a black clutch, a white coin purse, and a leather and canvas navy tote. I stopped protesting after a while. It did no good because he wasn’t listening.

Finally, he handed Ms. Dumas a credit card and she disappeared. I stared at the row of handbags, my mind spinning. While I loved math, I was scared to calculate the final bill. “This is too much.”

He lifted a shoulder in a casual, yet arrogant way. “I’m rich, Valentina. It’s something you need to accept, capisce?”

It wasn’t only that he was rich. Luca’s money wasmafiamoney. It wasn’t exactly clean. And what did he expect in exchange for all this? I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and lowered my voice. “My mother spent her whole life refusing my father’s financial help. She said his money came with strings.”

Luca slipped his hands in his trouser pockets and cocked his head. “You’ve seen my ‘strings.’ Are you telling me you hated all the orgasms I gave you?”

“No,” I said quickly, glancing over my shoulder for Ms. Dumas. “But I don’t want there to be debts between us. You’re already doing too much for the restaurant.”

“There are no debts or expectations that accompany my gifts. When I first helped you we weren’t sleeping together, so you should believe me when I say I do it because I can. All you need to do is to saygrazieonce in a while.”

What else was there to say? I could protest, but I sounded ungrateful. If he wanted to drop a mint on handbags for me, then okay. “Grazie, Luca.”

Oh, he liked that a lot. His eyes darkened just like earlier when he pinned me against the shower wall before sliding his dick inside me. He dragged the backs of his knuckles along my collarbone. “See? This pleases me, piccolina.”

“Here you are, Mr. Benetti.”

Ms. Dumas placed a slip on the counter for Luca to sign. I closed my eyes. If I saw the total, I might throw up.

When Luca finished he told the manager to havethe handbags boxed up and someone would come by to pick them up. Then he took my hand and strode into the main part of the store. “Now, we go for French toast,” he declared as he held open the front door for me.

“Good—and it’s my treat.”

He ushered me toward the SUV. “I will allow you to buy breakfast.” Then he put his mouth near my ear. “Because maybe then you will not complain when I take you to the jewelry store.”

Chapter Nineteen

Luca

She was quiet on the drive back to Paesano. We were in the SUV, with Aldo behind the wheel, while Carlo drove my Maserati back. I held her hand, perfectly content to sit in the silence and watch the scenery.

Valentina had been a pleasant surprise today.

I wasn’t used to a woman being so frugal around me. Or this funny. Or affectionate. Valentina touched mea lot. Little brushes of her hand. Grabbing my arm to make a point. Rubbing her foot against my leg under the table at breakfast. I liked it.

We had a nice day together, shopping and eating in the city. I couldn’t remember the last time I stayed off my phone for so long, but work had been the furthest thing from my mind today. It was refreshing to get lost in the crowds, a nobody with zero responsibilities. This allowed me to experience the city with Valentina.

My girl obviously didn’t travel much. As we walked after breakfast, she marveled at everything from the horse and carriages for hire,to the street vendors, to the different accents and cultures on every corner. At our last stop I bought her a pair of diamond earrings, though she refused to let me get the matching bracelet.

I bought it anyway.

I hadn’t spent this much money on a woman in a long time, not since Carlotta was pregnant with Gabriele. But I liked doing it for Valentina. She deserved it. This girl busted her ass all day long, even cleaning bathrooms, to keep her family’s legacy alive. I could relate.

Yawning, Valentina put her fancy juice drink in the cup holder. “God, I’m so tired.”

“Come here.” I tugged her down so she was lying across the seat. “Put your head in my lap.”

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