I’m striding towards Marcus when I hear it. The cocking of something that has me halting. A sinister smirk rises on my half-brother’s lips as the tip of cold metal presses against the nape of my neck.
Oh, Dio.
My father digs the gun so deep I’m convinced the finger brushing against the trigger isn’t having second thoughts. “Step one foot closer to Marcus and I will end you. Just like I wanted to since you were nine. I swear on your mother I will end you if you hurt my son.”
The raging heat circling my neck is enough to haunt me. I raise my hands in surrender because it’s the only way to communicate I’m listening without the wave of emotion getting to me.
Pietro Giannotti is forgetting everything. He’s forgetting that I’m his son too. That I was his first. That he used to tuck me into bed and tell me he’d protect me from the world he’s now going to end for me. That I used to look up at him and see my idol.
He’s forgetting it…because he never loved me.
Mom…wherever you may be up above watching over, please save me from him tonight.
The memory fades the second I step inside the office to a grinning Valencia. One moment wrapped in her arms is enough to take away the thoughts of my father and replace them with my adoration for her.
The feeling is reaffirmed during the day and right now when I press her doorbell. I’ve been waiting for 6:30 P.M. all day and now that it’s finally here, nerves begin to rise like it’s out first date. Well, this is our first date night in over six months. This is us starting over.
A slow, sexy smile grows at the sight of Lencia.
The bouquet of roses almost slips from my grip. Inside I’m celebrating like Italy won the World Cup all over again. She looks fucking beautiful as always. I adore everything about her inside and out, but I’m mentally lying on the ground in a pool of green, white, and red streamers because she hasn’t backed down.
She wants this with me.
Valencia has a dark red number on. I remember the dress very well. It’s my favorite on her and she knows exactly why. We bought it on our honeymoon in Fiji where we must have both forgotten we live in one of the cloudiest states in the USA.
We were a little distracted to say the least.
Now the love of my life stands in front of me. The v-neck long sleeved silk dress is tight against her breasts and waist, and loosens a fraction by her hips and legs. The hem cuts above her knees and she’s wearing tortoiseshell pointed heels, complimenting her glowing skin.
Her chestnut brown hair is curled to one side, exposing her bare neck. It puts me in a sensual trance I can’t let go of. Not with the red lipstick across those perfect plump lips. This is Valencia starting anew and I fucking love it. I’ve been dying to kiss her, especially when she bites her lip so enticingly like she is now. I need to wait until the perfect moment.
“You look impeccable, Lencia.”
“Thank you,” she grins. “So do you.”
“Let’s get the night started.”
Valencia Giannotti stole my heart the first day I met her. She’s continued to steal my heart every single day in these past seven years and she continues to do so now. I can’t help the way I feel for her. I want to be there with her through it all; the adoration, the depression, the hope.
This is why I cannot let her go. And I won’t.
I survived my horrid past and was rewarded with pure gold.
She owns my heart, mind, body, and soul. She never stopped owning them. Her initials are deeply etched into me. So deep that I cannot be myself without her or our children. She’s my air. The heartbeat in my chest. The very thing keeping me afloat.
My savior.
My one and only.
Valencia Giannotti is my entire life.
Valencia
Our date has only started and already the energy between us is like no other. Giulio wanted to keep the plans for our date a surprise. It triggered my curiosity and thrilled me all at the same time. When we arrive at the dance studio for a private lesson, I am in awe. This is what my therapist, Dr. Eross, suggested.
I lift my head to Giulio’s allusive gaze and feel warm all over from his sexy smolder. He looks sensational in that black dress shirt and those dark slacks. A couple of buttons are undone, exposing his smooth, olive skin.
Rodrigo, our dance instructor circles us again. “The Rumba with Cuban Rocks is all about holding the gaze. It’s sexy. Ruthless. Unforgiving. Just like love. The dance is about falling down, but always getting back up. Closeness seems to be an issue with you, may I ask why?”
“We’ve been living separately,” I say. “Previously we only saw each other to swap custody of the kids. We work together now and are attempting to give our marriage a second chance.”
“Okay. Giulio, what is the sexiest thing about her?”
“Her mind.”
“Modest man.” Rodrigo chuckles and slaps his shoulder. “Come on, I mean on her body. What did you love the most about her?”
“Her smile.”
“And you?”
“His eyes.”
“Alright, you both need to keep your focus on those two aspects. I want to try something before we implement the dance steps. Now, fall into each other.”
Giulio and I press in chest to chest and I worry about his bruises. He doesn’t seem to mind, and his touch seeps through my dress, awakening new sensations.
His eyes flicker to my lips and my heartbeat grows rapid. Desire for him flourishes, especially when the action surges him closer and his eyes turn hooded. I feel him all over, just like the other night. I see Addilyn
