Epilogue
Nine Months Later
Part of me wishes I’d have worn something a bit warmer. The black off the shoulder sweater dress is sexy, especially the matching knit stockings, but it’s already windy as hell on the sidewalk. My gaze drags up the building toward the roof. It’s going to be an ice box up there.
Giovanni’s fingers are tangled around mine as he drags me inside the hotel. Abel and Rand follow closely behind us as we approach the elevator. I lean into my man's warmth as we wait for the car to arrive. It’s nearly our second Christmas together so the fact that he wanted to spend the night before Christmas Eve here, instead of wrapping gifts or just with our family, has my mind racing. Last year may have been a little more hectic considering my father was trying to kill us both and all that shit. But it was my first time celebrating with a family.
The doors open slowly, Giovanni gestures for me to go in ahead of him. Once he’s standing at my side, Abel and Rand step in after creating a human shield in front of us. Rand presses the button for the rooftop bar. Shockingly, the ride to the top is quick and not as terrifying as I had expected.
Giovanni’s hand presses gently on the small of my back as he guides me toward the door that takes us to the outside patio. I gasp as I take in the space that is dotted with enclosed igloos, just big enough for two. I turn to face him with a mixture of anticipation and displeasure. He looks just as confused as I feel.
“What is it, Short Stack?” His smooth voice sounds as he bends down to speak into my ear.
“You’re not going to make them stand outside in this cold while we’re in one of these are you?” I scold Giovanni which causes laughter to erupt from him and the two men who have sworn to protect us this evening.
“No, Amore Mio , they’re staying inside. Apart from Jordon who will be our server, no one else will be permitted access to the rooftop this evening.” He presses his lips to my jaw with a quick kiss before he leads me further onto the roof. We don’t stop until we’re at an enclosed dome that is situated in a way that we somehow still have a view of the river below.
My breath hitches as we walk into the structure. A lit Christmas tree and fairy lights complete the ambiance of the space. I take a seat on the couch where Giovanni meets me a moment later. I’m not used to the laid-back look he’s sporting tonight, but I’m a fan; I thought he looked good in a suit, but his ass in those jeans. Fuck, it should be illegal to look so good in clothes and out of them. As if he’s reading my thoughts, he shrugs off the dark sports coat he’s wearing over a dark Henley, halfway unbuttoned. As soon as his arms are free, I audibly gulp. Over the past year he’s somehow become even more muscular, and his ink covered, corded forearms have a way of making me melt.
“What is it?” He taunts me with a knowing wink.
My brain misfires and words fail me, I groan as he chuckles and pulls me into his arms. A moment later he drapes a warm fuzzy blanket over our laps as we bask in the silence and enjoy a moment to ourselves with no one else around for a long time. Just as I’m about to speak, a woman unzips the entrance to our little love bubble. She’s stunning, with a flawless dark complexion. Long raven braids hang down her back while her large brown eyes sparkle with an infectious joy as she approaches us with a beautiful bottle in her hand.
“Hi y’all. My name is Jordon, I'll be taking care of you two this evening.” She presents the bottle she was cradling to show a Crisp Apple Wine from a local winery. My eyes dart to Giovanni who has a sly smile pulling at his lips. “This is one of the most popular wines we have.” She reassures, not realizing the last time this man tried to get me to drink I nearly spat it all over him.
“Thank you, Jordon.” His chuckle warms my insides, “You can leave the bottle, I’ll pour it.”
She grins knowingly at us before retreating from the igloo. My cheeks flush when I realize where her mind went. I mean she’s not wrong. It’s not like this is even the most public place we’ve had sex in the last year.
The pop of a cork drags me from my thoughts. My lips turn up at the corners when Giovanni hands me a glass of wine. I quirk a brow at the beautiful man who leans in and presses a soft kiss to my lips before pulling away. His way of telling me to trust him. I roll my eyes and lift the glass to my lips before taking a long pull. He must notice my surprise by the chuckle that escapes him. Before he can stop me, I finish the contents of the glass.
“Oh boy, you’re going to feel that in a minute.” He snorts and pulls me back into him.
I’m not sure how much time has passed since time seems to have gone hazy when Jordon returns to drop off an order of naan bread. My stomach growls as I grab the bowl and take a large bite. I groan around the mouthful of buttery goodness.
“Why is this so good?” I ask as I chew.
His answering laugh brings me to a fit of giggles. I lean back into his warm chest and savor the feel of his steady heartbeat against my spine.
“What made you decide to come here?” I finally get out the question that’s been on my mind all night. “I loved being with your mom and Jade this time last year.” I admit sheepishly.
Giovanni’s lips dance with amusement as he adjusts himself to face me. His large hands envelop mine while his eyes stare through the wall of insecurities I haven’t been able to knock down completely.
“We will spend the next few days with them. I needed time for just us.” His lips find mine and my eyelids flutter closed while we’re connected for the briefest of moments before he slides away from me. My body begging for more of his attention elicits a groan from my needy mouth as soon as his warmth is gone.
When my eyes open again, I see the beautiful man who has rescued me in so many ways kneeling before me. His chocolate eyes sparkle as the beautiful mouth that was just on mine turns up into a sinful grin.
“Short Stack, I don’t know how to say this without just saying it.” His admission makes my stomach flop, the earlier wine ready to make a reappearance. “I had no plan to stay here after Frederico was taken care of. After Lucia – fuck. I never thought I'd be interested in anyone for more than a warm body again.”
I squirm under his gaze. His warm smile does little to calm me until he leans in for another soft kiss.
“What I’m trying to say is, I never wanted to be Capo.” He chuckles and lifts a hand from where it’s laying on top of mine to drag through his unruly hair. “But in my ascension to the throne, I have found my queen.”
My hands fly to my chest when he lifts a ring box that he’s had hidden under the blanket. He pops the top open, revealing a simple platinum solitaire diamond ring. Tears sting the corners of my eyes as I nod my head to say yes as the words are lodged in my throat. His smile widens even more, one with so much pride that I haven’t seen before. One that I can’t wait to see every day for the rest of our lives.
“My king,” the thought springs free from my lips. I giggle as silent tears of joy fall down my cheeks. He slides the beautiful ring onto my left hand before he stands and pulls me up into his arms. The rest of the evening is spent in each other's embrace while we finish the bottle of wine and dream of what the future holds.