That was fine with me. I nodded my head and relaxed, taking in the room. Valentina and Roberto had outdone themselves. The trattoria was now much more mature and modern, simple, without all the cliché knick-knacks from before. It could be any upscale restaurant in Napoli or Roma. I was so fucking proud of her.
My son was behind the bar, pouring drinks and smiling at a bunch of young ladies. My father was very likely rolling over in his grave at the moment. A powerful heir to the Benetti kingdom, a bartender? But I liked knowing he was here. It gave me one more person looking out for Valentina.
A server came over and blocked my view of the bar as shepresented the bottle of cirò. After I tasted the wine, she poured two glasses and left me alone. I was about to take out my mobile and ring Leo when the most gorgeous woman in the world came into view.
Valentina.
Madre di dio, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She came toward me, the heels making her long legs even longer, wearing that wrap dress that hugged every curve. Dark brown hair swirled around her shoulders in waves. She’d removed the sweater, showing off her olive skin, the mounds of her tits, and everything inside me clenched with protective instinct. It was like I needed to put my name on her forehead, claim her as mine.
Cazzo, this girl. I was in trouble.
Heads turned as she walked by. I couldn’t blame them. She was fucking beautiful.
I stood as she neared. Like we’d been together all our lives, she came right to me and tilted her face toward mine, letting me kiss her lips. “Hey, baby,” she whispered. “You look good tonight.”
I didn’t bother speaking in English, because I didn’t know enough words for what I needed to say. So I told her in my language what I was thinking and feeling inside, an outpouring of emotion I should’ve been embarrassed by. Except I wasn’t. It felt necessary to tell her, even if she couldn’t understand.
“Stop,” she said, smoothing my tie. “I didn’t understand that, but it sounded very sweet and I need to look professional tonight. I can’t melt into a puddle at your feet.”
I pulled out her chair. “Congratulations. The place is a success.”
“Tonight’s gone well.” She placed her napkin on her lap as I sat down. “A few snafus in the kitchen, but Giovanni has handled it all beautifully. And Roberto?” She blew out a breath. “He’s a genius. So smooth with people and anticipates their needs. I don’t know how you convinced both of them to come here, but I’m very grateful, Luca.”
A lot of money and my last name usually did the trick. “You are welcome, piccolina. Let’s toast.”
We both raised our glasses. “To proper wine,” I said with a smirk.
She rolled her eyes, but laughed. “Still a wine snob. Fine, I’ll give a toast. To you, investor daddy. You helped me to see that I can be more, do more than just live in the past. I’ll always be thankful you walked in and insulted my restaurant.”
That nickname again. I should’ve been embarrassed by the way it affected me, the dirty thoughts my brain conjured up because of it. “Investor daddy?”
Shrugging, she touched her glass to mine. “You have to live with it. The nickname’s already stuck.”
Live with it? I could hardly think of anything else. I had a strong urge to drag her out of here, take her home, and fuck her all night long while hearing that word on her lips.
She started to drink, but I put a hand on her arm. “I haven’t given my toast yet.”
“Oh, you have a real one? Let’s hear it.”
I held her gaze steadily as I leaned in with my glass raised. “It has been my honor and privilege to watch you bloom, fiore mio. Thank you for trusting me. And no matter what happens in the future, know that I have enjoyed our time together more than any other time in my life.” I lifted her hand and pressed my lips to the back of it. “I am drowning in you, Valentina.”
Her eyes grew glassy, moisture pooling at the edges. “Oh, god. Luca. You . . .” She dabbed at her eyelids with her fingers. “You can’t say things like that when I can’t kiss you.”
“Come here.” I tugged her closer and pressed my lips to hers. It was chaste in comparison to how I usually kissed her, but I hoped she could feel the truth, the honesty behind my feelings for her. And I didn’t care who saw.
“Wow,” she whispered when we parted, her fingers clutching my forearm on the table. “If we haven’t started a scandal in town before tonight, that kiss definitely did it.”
“Who cares what anyone thinks? Don’t let other people hold you back, amore mio.”
She bit her lip and straightened, settling in her chair. “Easy for you to say. You’ll leave here soon and I’ll just be the girl who once dated a handsome older Italian man.”
I frowned. I didn’t like the idea of that. The next words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. “Or maybe you’ll be the girl living in Catanzaro who used to own a restaurant in New York.”
“Okay, now you’re freaking me out.” She adjusted her napkin on her lap and avoided my stare. “Stop talking crazy.”
Was it crazy?
You should keep her.