Her Mafia Daddy (Book 1) novel Chapter 43

Valentina POV

He chose the red lace La Perla bodysuit and a red wrap-around dress we had purchased today. “You should always wear red,” he said with a smirk. “Why?”

“Because of your colouring, bella. And I have a feeling my father will like it.” Dimitri held my arm down the stairs. While I loved the black heels he paired with the outfit Louboutins with a scalloped edge along the sides and a sky-high heel they did not allow for going up and down stairs easily. Still, I adored them.

They made my legs look long and I reached Dimitri ’s height with them on. Three guards followed us, including Paolo. It must have been strange for him to follow his boyfriend as Dimitri escorted a woman out to dinner. I wondered if they would find a way to be together tonight when we returned.to Siderno.

We didn’t go far. The restaurant was directly across the street from the apartment, a small trattoria that looked charming from the outside. Dimitri held open the door and I went in. The restaurant was empty, the tables and chairs completely vacant. Was this place even open?

A woman emerged from the back. She had silver hair that was cut into a sleek bob. “Buonasera, signore, signorina. Follow me, please.”

I trailed her toward the rear of the restaurant and out a small door. A stone patio stretched out in front of me, twinkling lights strung overhead, illuminating the lone table on the stone patio. And the man waiting there. I couldn’t move, my feet rooted to the ground, as Rafael stood and buttoned his jacket, looking more delicious than any of the gelato I’d eaten today. I gaped at him as he came toward me. “You’re here.”

He slid a hand onto my hip and cradled my jaw with the other. I was coming to learn this was his favourite way to hold me, not that I was complaining. His mouth touched mine in a soft kiss full of promise. “Ciao, dolcezza.”

“I can’t believe it.” I skimmed my hands up his chest until I could wrap them around his neck. He smelled like his fancy Italian soap, a combination of lemon and bergamot. “When did you get here?”

“Not long ago.” He moved a hand lower to cup my ass, bringing our hips together. “I left just after you sent me that video.” Oh. I bit my lip. “That explains why you never responded.”

“Never has a man wrapped up his work so rapidly to get to his woman as I did this afternoon.” His woman. I liked the sound of that. Probably too much. I looked over my shoulder. “Did you..” No one was there. “Wait, where did Dimitri go?”

“Where does any young man go in Rome after his father tells him to go away?”

“You told Dimitri to go away? That’s not very nice.” Rafael trailed his lips over my jaw and down my neck, my skin pebbling everywhere. God, he was here five minutes and my panties were already soaked. “I want you to myself tonight,” he whispered.

“I plan to take my time while I punish you for teasing me.” I knew his punishment would really be a reward. “Did you like watching me masturbate, capo?”

He growled deep in his chest. “I came twice while watching it over and over today. You are the sexiest woman I have ever seen.”

“I will happily do it for you live any time you like.”

“Not to worry. I will have you do that soon. But not tonight. Tonight I plan to fuck you until you can’t take any more.” He kissed me then, not the gentle greeting of a moment ago, but an attack on my mouth. He devoured me, robbing me of breath while he thrust his tongue deep inside to tangle with mine.

I sagged against him, caught up in the give and take between us, the frenzy that had pushed us together in the first place. I needed him desperately. My head was spinning with chemicals and endorphins, a purely physical reaction that only this man had ever caused within me.

“Cazzo, Valentina ,” he said when we broke apart. “I want to strip you naked and fuck you right here on the stone and dirt.”

“The apartment is across the street,” I panted, clinging to him. “Later. First I want to spoil you with the best food in Rome. Come, let’s sit.” He took my hand and led me to the small table.

Wine had already been poured and a small candle sat in the middle. Rafael helped me into my seat and then took his own. Leaning in, he said, “Sei mozzafiato. I like you in red.” Something occurred to me. “Did you tell Dimitri to have me wear this?”

“My son has been keeping me updated throughout the day. Did you think I wasn’t interested?” I picked up my wine glass. “I thought you were busy.”

How did he know just what to say to both turn me on and make my heart swell? It was as if Rafael had a window into my brain. We ate spaghetti with crispy pork cheek and zucchini, as well as fettuccini with pecorino cheese and pepper. There were veal meatballs on.the side. “This is too much food,” I said.

“You don’t have to eat it all. Just try a little bit of each. The meatballs are the best in the city.” After tasting them, I concurred. “Do you come here a lot?”

“Every time I am in Roma. I own the restaurant.”

“What?” My voice rose two octaves. “You do?”

“I do own some legitimate businesses, you know. And it’s run by the widow of one of my men killed about five years ago. I helped her get started.” Rafael , benevolent? The layers to this man never ceased to fascinate me. He was like the ground.

The more you dug, the more things you found underneath. We finished with tiramisu and crème caramel. And espresso, of course. Rafael asked for a splash of sambuca in his, but I took mine plain with lots of sugar. I was still getting used to the bitter taste.

The whole day had been perfect. From shopping and bellinis, to dinner with Rafael . “Thank you,” I told him simply, knowing he would understand.

His expression softened. “I will give you the world if you let me, piccolina. But I am glad you had a nice time. Does this mean you have forgiven me for last night?”

Had the storm on the yacht been only last night? It seemed like weeks ago. And as much as I wanted to torture him, I couldn’t lie. “Yes.”

“Thank fuck.” He threw his napkin on the table and pushed back. “Because I need you now, Valentina. I’m so full of CÚM for you that I am

practically choking on it. Let’s go.”