Page 35 of Capone
I was left standing there frozen in place. Giovanna looked just as shocked as me. To have heard Gabi say so effortlessly that she loved me let me know that she had gotten just as attached as I was.
“Don’t look so shocked, you two.” Crystal giggled, standing from the couch. “Now, why don’t you go enjoy the rest of your night. Gabi’s in great hands.” She disappeared down the hall, leaving Giovanna and me staring at one another.
“So…” Giovanna said, breaking the tension in the room.
Grabbing her hand, I pulled her body against mine. “How about we get out of here and I take you on a date tonight?”
“Really?” she gasped as her eyes brightened.
“Yeah. It’s long overdue. I’m going to drop you off at your hotel and I’ll be back at eight to pick you up.”
“Okay, I’ll be ready.”
By the timeI dropped Giovanna off at her hotel, I had four hours to plan something special for her. I didn’t like the idea of taking her to a restaurant. I wanted our time together to be intimate and alone. That was when I came up with the perfect idea. The only thing was I couldn’t pull this off alone, so I asked Dice, Gunner, and Sara for help.
I would probably get shit from Dice and Gunner for the rest of my life, but I didn’t care. I was sure Giovanna would love her bit of what I put together for her and that was well worth it to me.
Giovanna had me so far gone and didn’t even know it. There was nothing I wouldn't do to convince her that she was meant tobe mine. I'd never claimed a woman before. I was in unfamiliar territory right now. Sometimes, I didn’t know how to act around her. If I revealed just how far this need to claim her went, I was afraid I would scare her off.
Giovanna was one of those women who truly didn’t realize just how beautiful they were. She had the personality to match the looks. She was a dangerous combination. She really was a hidden gem.
That’s why I’d stop at nothing to prove to her I was the man for her.
“No peeking, Sugar.” I held on to Giovanna’s hand as I led her to the gazebo in my backyard. I blindfolded her as soon as we were inside of my truck. She had asked a thousand questions by the time we got here.
I went all out for this date. Dice and Gunner helped me hang fairy lights all around the gazebo. I also had a table in the center of it with a white cloth spread on top of it, sprinkled with roses and candles.
Sara came in and cooked us a three-course meal that I was sure was going to be better than any five-star restaurant. She offered to stay and serve the food to us so we could just focus on our date. I knew part of her was coming from a genuine kindhearted place, but the other was to be nosy.
I was sure all the Ol’ Ladies would know about our date by morning.
After I removed the blindfold, Giovanna gasped, placing a shaky hand over her mouth. “Luca, this beautiful.” Grabbing my hand, she rose on her toes and kissed the corner of my mouth.
I stood there smiling like a complete idiot, pleased that she was happy with my efforts. I led her to the table and pulled out a chair for her.
“I can’t believe you did all of this,” she said, looking around the gazebo.
“I know we’ve been getting to know one another, but I wanted you to understand how serious I am about us.”
“Believe me when I tell you. I hear you loud and clear. I don’t want to try and fight this thing between us. I feel something for you, and while I’m here, I want to explore that.”
“That’s all that I ask, Sugar.” I kissed the back of her hand just as the patio door slid open, and Sara walked out, holding two bottles of wine.
Sara was completely in character, dressed up in a white chef’s coat, with a towel hanging over her forearm.
“Good evening, I’ll be your server tonight. Tonight’s menu will start off with your appetizers which is bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms, and prosciutto wrapped asparagus. Can I start you off with white or red wine?”
Giovanna’s smile was so big I could see all thirty-two teeth in her mouth. “I’ll take the red,” she said.
“I’ll take the same,” I agreed.
Sara filled both our glasses and placed the bottle on the table. “I’ll be right back with those appetizers.”
After Sara walked away, Giovanna took a sip of her wine, watching me intently. “Where did you come from, Luca Ferrari?”
I chuckled, staring her right in the eyes. “Right out of your dreams, Sugar.”
A bubble of laughter ripped through her. “You have an answer for everything, don’t you?”
