Page 58 of Promise Maker

“It’s not hard for anyone to love you,tesoro.” He drops his hands and turns away. “But it mightbe difficult foryouto love me.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Solari, you became terrified after witnessingjust a tip of what I do. Once you see all that I am, you will never even lookat me again.”

Balling my fists, I say confidently, “I don’tbelieve that. Show me who you are, Domenico. All of you. Let me decide.”

“You’ll decide?” My heart rate climbs as he stepscloser again. “I’m going to court you. There will be moments like at the caféand Catania, where I’ll use my gun. You’ll witness the dark parts of my world.When you feel you’re in love or you despise me, do let me know. But understandthis, Solari. I’m not letting you go even if you end up hating me.”

I swallow hard, realizing that even if his worldfrightens me, and despite my previous mindset about returning to New Jersey,the truth is I don’t want to leave. I want to stay with Domenico.

16

I wake with a grin on my face, still high fromthat impeccable orgasm the night before.

Jazmine did tell me oral sex is a whole other formof pleasure when the man knows what he’s doing. And Domenico is sure as fuckskillful with his tongue.

That experience under the orange tree is one tocherish. I’ll never forget how he broke my confines and set me free. Now I’manticipating the next time.

Sitting up in bed, I glimpse fresh flowers in avase on the dresser.

Pink tulips. My favorite.

Touched, I walk over to smell them and read thecard. “I hope these make you smile.Nico.” Naturally, a smileparts my lips. He can be so charming.

I shower, brush my curls into a bun, and slip intoa yellow, mid-length, off-the-shoulder dress. Domenico bought quite a few ofthat style, probably because he wants to see more skin.

Slick.

Putting on a pair of woven flats, I exit the roomand seek outMr. Sculpted to Perfection.

Excitement grows even more when I find him sittingin the main entry.

He tucks his phone away, beaming as he glides overmy appearance. “Buongiorno. Seicosìbello.”

I mumble the last word to myself and ask, “Are youcalling me beautiful?”

Domenico straightens from the chair and closes thespace between us. “Correct.” He tugs me into his chest, capturing my mouth fora passionate kiss.

The minty taste of his tongue instantly stimulatesmy senses and sends an erotic jolt to my pussy. My needy hole throbs for moreof last night and begs to feel the thick and long shaft that I glimpsed.

As the kiss slows to an end, I struggle to calm.It’s a good thing Domenico is holding me because I’m weak in the knees and onthe verge of slithering to the ground.

“Um, thanks for the tulips,” I say in a nearwhisper.

“You’re welcome.” He carries his hands up my backaffectionately. “I’ve thought about it, and Francesca’s right. You should getout of here.”

I instantly frown. “You’re…sending me back toJersey?” The thought of actually leaving stirs a sick feeling.

Domenico clucks his tongue. “Of course not. Imeant a change in scenery so as not to become cooped up at the house. We all doit sometimes.” He lowers his gaze. “Well, except…” He doesn’t need to finish. Iknow he means his mother. Shaking it off, he says, “Come on. Let’s grabbreakfast. Then I’ll take you to our supplier’s vineyard and winery since youwere so curious.”

“Cool. Looking forward to it.”

Domenico holds my hand as we stroll to the car. Inotice a second SUV is leaving with us. Perhaps he wants added security toensure my safety.

We stop at a cute café in the middle of the Valleyof the Temples. It’s the only one on the route, no wonder so many tourists arecrowding the place.

The guards stay on alert outside the café whileRodrigo stands close to our table. Security was never this present with me whenDad was alive. It’ll take some getting used to, but I understand that danger isalways lurking.

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