Page 43 of Love Without Control

With a wink over her shoulder, she replied, “Osbourne.”

“Owwww!” I yelled, cupping my nose after another laugh burst from me.

Swear to god, this brat was going to be the death of me.

Chapter 14

Mybruiseshadfaded,and I was left with only a tiny scar on my lower lip from the smack from Ethan. I was also adjusting to my new look, wearing the brown contact lenses around the house a few hours per day to get used to them. Soon I’d have to wear them full time, or at least when I was out in public.

Jamie had removed the packing from Dane’s nose yesterday, and while it was still discolored and swollen, it was straight. He’d stopped slicking his hair back so it now had a slight curl to it, and his beard was coming in nicely. He no longer looked the part of a Mafia son. Now he just looked like a normal guy. A very good-looking guy, but I tried not to notice.

I was doing my best to accept this whole situation I’d gotten myself into, though I annoyed Dane every chance I got. It gave me joy and kept me from thinking too much about my family.

But today? Today I was finding it difficult to put on any semblance of appeasement.

Foregoing the contact lenses—because fuck it—I dressed in a baggy blue T-shirt and comfortable athletic shorts before leaving my bedroom. I didn’t want to be alone today, but I also didn’t want to see anyone. No one in this house anyway. I wanted my family.

The enticing aromas of sugar and coffee drew me to the kitchen where my feet stalled in the doorway.What the hell is all this?I walked on bare feet to the breakfast bar, my fingers skimming over the cool, smooth surface of the clear vase. Burying my nose in the light-purple blooms, I inhaled the unmistakable scent of lilacs.

“Do you like them?”

My watery eyes lifted to find Dane standing beside the far counter, his face apprehensive.

“I do. They’re beautiful.”

“Happy birthday, Evie.”

I didn’t correct him for using my real name because my throat was clogged with emotion, managing only a soft, “Thank you.”

“I made tiramisù last night after you went to bed. It should be ready to eat now.”

“For breakfast?” I asked, the surprise and delight clear in my voice.

“Hell yes. You can do whatever you want today.” He took a couple steps toward me, stopping only a foot away. “Is this okay? You said your dad always got you lilacs and took you out for tiramisù on your birthday. I know it’s not the same, but I was trying…” His voice trailed off.

He’s trying…That struck me in the chest, and my dislike of him softened a bit. “It’s great, Dane. Thank you for doing all this.”

He crooked a half smile at me. “Good. Have a seat, and I’ll bring your breakfast to you.”

I did, and a couple minutes later, he placed a large slice of tiramisù and a glass of orange juice in front of me. “Holy crap. I’ll never be able to eat all this.” After one bite, I was proved wrong. The dessert was rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious, the flavors melding together perfectly against my taste buds. “Oh my god, this is freaking fantastic,” I mumbled around a mouthful.

Dane looked pleased with himself as he took the seat beside me with his own slice. “Did you know that the original tiramisù recipe contained no alcohol?” I lifted my eyebrows at him. “The dessert was created in 1972 at Le Beccherie, a restaurant in Treviso, which is a town just north of Venice, and that recipe was alcohol-free.”

I was stunned. “I didn’t know that. I always thought it contained Marsala wine.”

He did a fist pump that made me laugh. “Finally, I know something you don’t. Most modern adaptations do contain Marsala or liqueur, as some chefs believe it enriches the flavor, but the original ingredients were espresso, mascarpone cheese, egg yolks, sugar, Savoiardi biscuits, and cocoa powder. That’s how I make mine.”

“Well, I’m a fan. It’s the best tiramisù I’ve ever had.”

“There are also legends that say it was actually created in Treviso in the 1800s by a maitresse in,” he cleared his throat and widened his eyes significantly, “a house of pleasure.”

“Like a brothel?” I asked incredulously, and Dane nodded.

“They say she served it to men at the end of the evening to reinvigorate them.”

I pointed my fork at him. “Okay, you win the random knowledge award for the day. That’s pretty interesting.”

“Want to get out of the house for a while?” he asked. “I’m feeling a little cooped up.”

---