Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 68628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
“Give her an inch,” I warn Sergio, silently laughing inside at the sheer ridiculousness of this entire episode.
“Bro, you should talk,” Timeo says. “What’s this I hear about a dance studio at the club and her own chocolate shop on Newbury Street?”
“That’s not spoiling,” I say with a shrug. “It’s a business investment. And fuck, you should’ve seen her eyes when I told her.”
Another set of footsteps warns us we have another visitor. “Tell me you saved me a sammy.”
Ricco, Timeo and Sergio’s older brother and former Montavio family Don, joins us.
“Jeez, look who the cat dragged in.” Timeo grins.
“Don’t mind if I do.” Ricco playfully smacks Timeo in the back of the head and plucks the cold bottle of Sam Adams right out of his hand.
“I spit in it, fucker,” Timeo mutters as Ricco upends it. He sits next to Sergio and takes in a deep breath of ocean air. He’s gotten grayer recently and his eyes look sunken and haunted, but he also looks stronger, tanned.
“You okay, Adriano?”
I nod and take out my cell phone.
“He left Quinn at Bella Notte for the first time. Hasn’t checked on her for a whole hour,” Timeo jabs at me.
Ricco’s eyes widen and he whistles. “Wow, brother, I’m proud of you. Good job.”
I nod. Hell, I’m proud of myself. It’s no small feat to let go of control, especially after what happened.
“Thanks. I have to go soon, though. Told her I’d meet her there tonight.”
“Fair enough. But before you go,” Ricco says casually, picking at the label on the bottle. “Any idea what your plan is for when the six months is up?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
“JUST DESERTS”
Quinn
I stroll through the halls and rooms of Bella Notte like I belong here.
Because I do.
I haven’t taken a power pose in the restroom in weeks because these days, I walk with a power pose. Somehow, being in love has done that to me. It isn’t just being in love, though, but being loved, so deeply, madly, irrevocably, it’s the kind of passion poets write about.
Squeee!
“Hey, baby.” Flo snaps her gum and winks at me from the bar. “Looking mighty fine, girlfriend!”
I am, if I do say so myself, due in no small part to Marialena’s magic and Rosa’s little boutique. I’m wearing an all-black ensemble—a lace bodysuit and leather shorts, something that covers up all my bits but still screams sexy.
Because tonight? We. Are. On.
I won’t lie and say I don’t have a little bit of trepidation about what I’m in for. Adriano has hinted at the kind of spanking he thinks I deserve, and if I’m honest—I kind of hope he gives it to me.
I want the cathartic release. I want to put everything that happened to rest, in the sexiest way possible. I want to lose myself in the euphoric relief. But most of all, I want Adriano to take back control, because I know in my heart of hearts that’s what we both need.
I wave to Flo and walk past the bar to the kitchen. I have a little time before Adriano returns from the North Shore where he’s visiting his brothers, and I’m dying to connect with my bestie.
When I hit the doorway, I moan and close my eyes, bracing myself on the doorframe as if to steady myself. “Oh, mother of all good things, that smell is so delicious, it should have its own TikTok account.” I open my eyes to see Eden smirking at me as she plates my food.
“Something tells me you’ll need your energy for tonight.”
I stare at her, mouth gaping. “Did you just make… a sex joke?”
Heat creeps up her neck and she covers her mouth with her hand. “We’re in a sex club and you’re reuniting with your husband after horrible, wrenching heartbreak. If you don’t make love to that man tonight…”
“Eden Montavio!”
She grins, and I actually get a little choked up. I sigh. “I am so proud.”
“There she is!” Wearing a black minidress with leather harness detailing, Marialena walks into the kitchen looking arguably hotter than I do, and I’m fucking hot right now.
“Lemme guess,” I say, pulling out a chair so I can dig into this food. “Salvatore’s in town?”
“Yup. Join us for dinner at The Castle on Sunday? Mama’s pulling out the works.”
“I’ll have to ask Adriano if we have any plans, but I am so there. Okay, Eden, what is this magical concoction?”
Eden smiles and shrugs humbly. “Roasted gnocchi with pesto I made from the basil in our garden, seared chicken in a lemon-butter sauce, and wilted spinach with shallots.”
My eyes roll back in my head at the first bite.
“This. Is. Amazing. Your husband is one lucky man.”
“As is yours,” Marialena says, reaching for a crust of garlic bread from a basket. I don’t touch it because I fully intend on a make-out sesh later. “I overheard them all talking up at The Castle, as I just happened to be refilling my wine coffers.” She sighs dreamily, folding herself onto a chair. “And Quinn, he is so in love with you, it’s the stuff of dreams.”