Page 49 of Anastasia

“I know. Good thing I have you,” I whispered. He bit down on his lip before looking off, giving me the perfect view of his jawline. Just in time, Alissa walked back in with a bottle of wine. She poured wine into my empty glass.

I smiled brightly at her. “Thank you, Miss Alissa.”

She gave me a small smile before pouring wine into Valentino’s glass as well. He watched me with a smirk on his face, shaking his head.

“What?” I asked just as she left the cabin. For the first time, I noticed the soft sound of classical music.

“Nothing,” he muttered.

“Good evening to you both. Have you decided what you will be having?” Ferdinand asked, suddenly making an appearance. I still didn’t know what to eat, so I just turned to look at Valentino, hoping he would get the message that I wanted him to decide for me.

“We will have Tuscan tomato bread soup with steamed mussels, and beef brasato with pappardelle and mint,” he ordered. Ferdinand didn’t say anything in response, so out of curiosity, I glanced up at him. His eyes were staring deep into my almost completely exposed breast.

Rolling my eyes, I buttoned up the top. I had completely forgotten about it.

“Will I have to give Matteo a call about his staff?Take our order, get out, and bring new people,” Valentino demanded angrily. I had no clue what he said but based on the way Ferdinand ran out of the room, I could only assume it wasn’t kind.

“I want to learn Italian,” I muttered.

Valentino chuckled to himself, the agitation he showed quickly disappearing. He stood up from his chair, leaving it to squeal against the flooring, and he held out his hand for me. Glancing at his open palm, a smile crept onto my face as I placed my hand in his. He was quick to pull me up with his hand around my waist and my breast against his chest. A gasp escaped me as my head instinctively landed on his shoulder. My cheeks were beginning to hurt from smiling so much.

“I can’t dance,” I informed him. He only chuckled, moving me with him to the light sound of music. I couldn’t stop the quickness of my heart. For a moment, I could almost feel his heartbeat racing as well. I wondered if I made him just as nervous as he made me..

“You’re dancing,” he replied, stating the obvious. Then, he dipped me, causing me to erupt in a fit of laughter as one of my legs latched at his waist. When he pulled me back up, he spun me around until my back hit his chest. I haven’t felt so happy in so long. Valentino made the bad luck that always stood in as my shadow, easily disappear. He may be a scary, dangerous man, but he was my savior. My life without him would be a deep pit of darkness.

He gave my neck a small kiss before whisking me back around. I lowered my head down on his shoulder as his hands returned to my waist. We continued to sway to the music, loving each other’s embrace.

His fingertips trailed down to my bottom, where he moved up the shirt and gripped my ass. I couldn’t help but let out a giggle.

“Thank you for this,” I told him. Pulling my head up from his shoulder, I gazed into his eyes. I grabbed ahold of his face and stood on my tippy-toes to kiss his lips. He promised me he would try, and I was loving the effort.

“You deserve the world,” he muttered as he grabbed my hands away from his face and leaned down to peck my lips.

“Teach me Italian.” I repeated my wishes from earlier.

“I like the idea of you not knowing what I am saying,” he stated with a smirk full of mischief dancing on his lips. Narrowing my eyes at him, I tried my best to be upset, but the smile on my face just wouldn’t falter.I’ll just learn Italian in secret.

At that moment, a man entered the room with a nice fancy white suit and a tray of food in his hands. The moment Valentino looked over at him, a huge smile broke out on his face. It was so genuine and contagious, it made me happy.

“Valentino!” He exclaimed just before placing the tray of food on our table. The man smiled brightly at me as he looked between me and Valentino.

“Who is this?” he asked Valentino. I could see the look of pride on his face. I turned to look at Valentino, waiting for him to introduce us.

“Anastasia, this is the man I’ve known since I was a child, Matteo,” Valentino introduced. I smiled at him, sticking my hand out for him to shake. He completely ignored it and embraced me in a hug. My mind processed his words as I realized Valentino had mentioned a Matteo before. I wondered if he owned the restaurant.

“Gorgeous, gorgeous girl! It makes me happy seeing Valentino actually out with a girl for once.” He chuckled. I looked over at Valentino as he pulled away from the hug. As soon as Matteo broke the hug, Valentino wrapped his arm around my waist.

“Well, I’ll let you get back to yourtempo da solo. See you soon, Valentino,” he said. I watched Valentino nod his head before Matteo walked up to me and grabbed a hold of my hand. He planted his cool lips against my knuckles before rubbing the spot soothingly.

“Come by anytime you want, Miss Anastasia.” He smiled. I returned the smile happily just before he turned around and walked out of the cabin, shutting the door as he left. He seemed so sweet.

“I’m starving,” I groaned as the sweet aroma of the food filled my nostrils. Sitting back down, I grabbed the plate of pasta with some other stuff on top that looked incredibly delicious.

I didn’t want to be rude, so I waited for Valentino to be seated. Just as he sat down, I grabbed the fork and began to dig right in. The food was absolutely delicious.

“Does that man own this restaurant?” I asked. Valentino nodded slowly.

The restaurant was perfect, and I loved the idea of the cabins. It set the perfect mood that I couldn’t help but fall in love with.

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