Page 64 of Perfect Match
“Wow, you really should spend more time in the kitchen. It suits you.”
He smiles at me over his shoulder. “Stop objectifying me while I save our dinner.”
Moving to stand close behind him, I place my hands on his butt cheeks, and say in my best Marilyn Monroe impression, “You love it when I objectify you.” My hands slide around his hips beneath the apron flap to rest against his lower abdomen.
“You’re about two inches away from not getting any dinner at all,” he warns.
“Laters then. But only because I’m hungry.” And I remove my hands from temptation. “Now, what do you need me to do while you get dressed?”
“You can pour the wine.”
I wander back to the island where a bottle of red and two glasses have been set out. “Ah, the good stuff,” I say, picking up the bottle and reading the label. Gio turns and wipes his hands on the front of his apron, giving me a tantalizing glimpse beneath it. He looks so damn sexy in that apron; I may have to insist he puts it on more often.
“That, is an award-winning wine from my Tuscan winery.”
A grin stretches my lips wide. “Sorry I was distracted by the chef.”
His chuckle can be heard as he makes his way back to the bedroom.
Minutes later, he is back in the kitchen, fully dressed and ladling a generous helping of osso buco into the two shallow bowls. He then adds a side of greens and polenta mash while I watch on from a stool on the other side of the island. The rich, spicy veal stew is my absolute favorite when we dine at Leo’s.
“Did you have fun shopping with Charli and Sadie?” he asks as he works.
“Yes but I’m not going to show you what I got because I want to keep it as a surprise for the masquerade party.” This Christmas, the club is hosting a masquerade party for the members and their guests. Membership has nearly doubled in the last year and the guys feel that it’s time to start hosting special events. Charlie, Sadie, and I spent the afternoon shopping for our outfits, and what we bought wasn’t something you would find in a department store.
“And I’m going to like the surprise?”
“Totally and that’s the last I’m going to say about it because I don’t want to ruin the surprise. What are you going to wear?”
He looks up, confusion painting his features. “A tux?”
“What no rubber or leather?” I tease. “Or maybe an apron?”
“Nooo. Absolutely not. If you want me in that stuff then that will be in the privacy of our home. I have a reputation to uphold,” he claims with mock disgust.
I shake my head. “And you call yourself an owner of a sex club.”
“I’m a silent partner for a reason.” He picks up the two bowls of steamy stew. “Can you bring our wine glasses, and we’ll eat in the dining room tonight.”
“This is all very fancy.” I trail along behind him to the formal dining room that we only ever use for hosting dinner parties.
When I reach the doorway, my eyes widen. “Gio, this looks beautiful.”
He has laid the table with crisp white linens, sparkling silver flatware, and a crystal candelabra with five thin white candles. On the buffet is an arrangement of fresh flowers, red roses and pink daisies, more of my favorite things.
I place the wine glasses on the table. “This is all really special, have I missed an important date?”
Gio grins. “You have. It’s one year to the day that you agreed to move into my apartment.”
“Sorry, I didn’t realise we were celebrating that milestone.” Gio promised me a year ago that we would wake up next to each other every day, and apart from two short trips Gio had to take to Italy, he’s stuck to that commitment. “But thank you. You’re right, it is worth celebrating.” With a hand on each of his cheeks, I reach up to kiss him long and hard.
“We should probably eat before it gets cold,” he murmurs against my lips when we stop to catch our breath.
Everything is perfect. The meal, the wine, the setting. But most importantly, the man beside me.
“Please tell Leo, when you message him next time, that it was delicious.” The Barbieri brothers have welcomed me warmly into their close-knit family circle and we all gather every couple of months for dinner at Leo’s restaurant. It’s always a treat but tonight, this meal at our home with just the two of us has been very romantic.
“Are you ready for dessert?” Gio asks, knowing I have a sweet tooth, and even as full as I am, I can’t say no. “Wait here and I’ll be right back.”
