Page 50 of A Touch of Fate

Samuel slid his hands under my legs and behind my back and easily lifted me. I gave him a small smile. He walked over to the part of the pool where stairs descended into the water. He carried me until I was engulfed by the warm water. It wasn’t body temperature or close, but it wasn’t too cold either. He released my legs, and I righted myself until I was in front of him with my hands on his shoulders. For a moment, I considered kissing him, but I knew where this would lead. And while I was eager to try out sex in the water someday, I didn’t want to resort to intimacy again, not to mention that I wasn’t sure if the neighbors would be able to see us.

Samuel’s expression made it clear he would have been up for more. I released him and allowed my body to float on my back, then began to crawl backward. Samuel watched me for a couple of moments before he began to swim his own laps butterfly style. We swam for a while until my teeth began to chatter. The outside temperature had risen, but the water still managed to lower my body temperature to an uncomfortable level.

I stopped and swam toward the edge. Samuel immediately did the same. I hoisted myself out of the water and perched on the rim. Samuel came my way and touched my knees as he straightened to his full height. The water only reached his pecsnow. I didn’t feel his touch, but the sight of his strong hands on my skin still sent a flood of need through me.

“Would you like to go out for dinner tonight?”

Surprise widened my eyes. “A date?”

“A date.” He moved his hands higher and rubbed my thighs absentmindedly. “We’re married, so it’s time I take you out and show you my favorite place in my city.”

“Your city,” I said with a smile. His father still seemed fit, so I wondered when Samuel was supposed to take over.

“My father and I rule together even if he’s officially Underboss.”

“Where are we going tonight?”

I had to admit I was a bit nervous about going out in public so soon after our wedding. I wasn’t sure how well-trained the press was in Minneapolis, but people would definitely stare at us. Our marriage had made waves even in the outside world.

“It’s a small Italian restaurant. Renato’s grandparents own it. My family and I have eaten there often for as long as I can remember, and I used to play in the kitchen with Renato when we were young kids. That’s how our friendship developed.”

“He’s quite a character.”

Samuel chuckled. “He’s loyal and trustworthy.”

“I am too, you know?”

Samuel sighed. He lowered his hands from my legs and stepped back. “I have trust issues.”

Because of his sister? I had only heard the rumors of how she’d saved Remo Falcone from the Outfit, but only Danilo, Samuel, his dad, and Dante knew the full truth.

“It’s okay.” A hint of guilt filled me when I remembered how I’d wanted to check his phone again tonight.

“Would you like me to carry you out?” Samuel asked.

I shook my head. “Can you give me a towel?” Samuel got out of the pool and took one of the fluffy towels that rested on one ofthe sunchairs. He draped it over my shoulders. Then he picked me up and put me down on the sunchair. I peered up at him, and he surprised me with a heated kiss. He pulled back after a moment with a tight smile. “I shouldn’t start something I can’t finish.” He looked at his watch, then sighed.

I blew out a little breath, trying to gather my wits about me. I glanced up at the surrounding houses. The pool was mostly hidden from view by hedgerows, but I still worried about people catching a glimpse of us.

Samuel positioned himself in front of me. “Nobody can see anything now.”

I opened my bikini top and tugged it away, then dropped it beside me on the lounge chair. Samuel’s eyes practically devoured me as my nipples hardened even more in the light wind. I leaned back and tugged my bottoms down so I could really dry myself.

“Fuck, Emma. I really wish I had more time.” His voice sent a shiver down my back. He shoved down his swim trunks, revealing his erection. I was at eye level with it, and I could have leaned forward and taken him in my mouth. My face heated. Where had that thought come from?

Samuel grabbed the towel and wrapped it around his waist. I cleared my throat and wrapped my own towel tighter around my body. It was funny that I had thought the physical aspect would be a problem in our marriage. That obviously wasn’t going to be the case. Building trust and an emotional base would be much harder.

Renato and I stepped into the newest whorehouse of the Outfit. It was our most sophisticated with whores that were referred to as models and who looked like they might actually be one, at least in catalogs or ads, not the Paris Fashion Week.

Renato motioned around. “What do you think?”

Half-moon-shaped dark green leather booths offered privacy thanks to the satin curtains that could be closed completely. In alcoves over the booths, fake Roman statues added to the exclusive appearance. Dark wood panels covered the front of the bar and the lower part of the walls, with golden wallpaper on the upper part.

A door behind the bar opened, and a tall woman with red hair in a purple jumpsuit stepped out. She was in her early forties and was responsible for picking out girls for Renato’s whorehouses. He owned five in total and had been managing them as Captain under my rule since his father had stepped back from managing the brothels after a stroke.

She strode purposely over to us, and Renato’s mouth pulled into a leer. I released a sigh.

“Samuel,” Autumn said with a charming smile before she turned to Renato and allowed her smile to become more sultry. She leaned forward and pressed a lingering kiss to his cheek, leaving a lipstick stain on his skin. Those two had been fuck buddies since Autumn made Renato a man thirteen years ago. He had a strange bond with her, even if he fucked other women all the time.

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