Page 60 of Promise Maker

“Grazie,” Domenico tellsher and collects the basket. Holding my hand, he leads me to the hill of treesoverlooking the vineyard and splays the blanket in the grass.

I can’t help but stare in awe as we lower acrossfrom each other. It’s hard not to be enthralled by the version he’s giving me.If it stays like this, there’s a chance I could forget the rest, even with allthe guards patrolling nearby.

Domenico grabs a breadstick, snaps it, and offersme half. “This dipping is really….” He pauses, pulling his mouth to one sidewhen he notices I'm watching him. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” I answer fast, wobbling my head. Iaccept the bread and dip it in the sauce, humming in delight while chewing. “Ohwow. So buttery and—ooh, is that garlic and red pepper flakes?”

“Mmhmm.” He eats a bit of cheese and pops open thewine.

I hold both our glasses for him to pour carefully.

“You know, I’ve never done this,” he says,motioning with his free hand. “I’ve never sat here and just relaxed. At thehouse, I only go to the back to be alone and recenter myself, so to speak.” Hesteadies on me for a moment, tapping the butterflies to wreak havoc on mytummy. “It’s different with you, Solari. I want this with you.” He watches meover the glass while he drinks.

I drop my eyes, feeling shy with him now.

Drawing a deep breath, I sip some wine and peeraround at the place. “Well, thisishow I imagined it’d be like for us.”I set my gaze back on Domenico.

He appears delighted, even as he curls his brows.“You imagined us on picnics in a vineyard?”

“Yeah.” I giggle softly, but then, sorrow zips inlike a bolt of lightning and wipes away the smile, replacing it with guilt. Idip my head.

“He would have understood,” Domenico says, readingme like a book. When I look up, he adds, “If you’d told him how you felt, hewould have understood.”

“Hm.” I shrug a shoulder and pop a grape in mymouth. “I guess we’ll never know.”

Silence cloaks us for a moment before Domenicoswitches the subject, talking about the supplier and how they acquired anddeveloped the vineyard and winery.

We enjoy the setting a bit longer before headingback to Agrigento that afternoon, and then we stroll through a lovely gardenwith the guards not too far.

After dinner at a seaside restaurant, we return tothe house.

“I genuinely enjoyed today,” I admit to Domenicoas we’re walking down the hallway towards my room. “I wasn’t hurting too much.”

“That’s good. The pain will simmer in time,Solari. And I hope you won’t feel guilty about that.”

I stop at the door and raise my shoulders in adramatic shrug. “I just can’t help but wonder what my dad thinks. Every time Ifind myself smiling, when I take pictures, or even if I enjoy somethingPaolettacooked.” I pull the band from my hair and rufflemy curls. “I’ll be grieving for a long time.But,it’shard to deny the way I gravitate towards you.”

Domenico closes the distance and touches my neckwith both hands, caressing my skin as he shoves his mouth on mine for apassionate kiss.

It slows to an end after what feels like aneternity, and he sputters a low regretful growl before telling me, “I have togo to the warehouse to check on things. I haven’t been there all day.”

“I understand. I’ll see you when you get back.”

His eyes wilt. “You’ll probably be asleep by then.It’ll be late.”

I back up to the door. “Are you going to donightwork, as Francesca calls it?”

He swallows hard, jaw twitching. “No. We haveshipments going out tonight. It usually takes time, and since Father placed mein charge of the warehouse, I have to be there for that.”

“Oh.” I look down and pick at my dress. “Sorry.”

“Solari.” He grasps my hand. “That is going tohappen. It’s unavoidable.”

“Let’s not talk about it.” I meet his gaze. “Itwas a good day. Let’s leave it like that.”

He nods. “Buonanotte,bellissima.”

I manage a sweet smile and whisper, “Night.”

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