Chapter 40
Forty
REGINA
Why do I feel so powerful?
I should be shivering under the bed and calling the cops with my sparkly pink phone. Instead, I’ve survived a night of intense passion, several orgasms and pain and pleasure that I never considered was foreplay.
We were insatiable. On the floor, against the wall, in the tub and against the window. Nico fucked me in every way possible, and I gave back as good as I got. I was possessed by a dark demon, and I truly believe I was bitten by a vampire and I am one now.
We talked—there was a lot of talking—and he answered every question I threw at him. Now, as I pull on the smart Valentino dress that he bought me, I have sharpened my resolve and banished my fear because I am about to enjoy Christmas with the mafia as one of the family. God help me.
“You are beautiful.”
Nico kisses the back of my neck, and a shiver runs down my spine. Not of fear—never fear with him—but one of desire. Somehow, we are closer than ever, which isn’t saying much given we’re only three days in, but it’s as if we have already lived a lifetime together.
“Happy Christmas, baby girl.”
His soft whisper lights a spark in my heart, and I blink as he produces a red velvet box from behind me. I stare down and take it in my hands, the plush velvet telling me this is an expensive gift.
“For me?” My words are breathy, disbelieving, excited. I can’t remember anyone making me feel this way.
“Of course.”
My heart thumps as I open the box, his breath light against my neck. The contents dazzle me. I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life.
“Nico.” I gasp, my fingers shaking as I hold the box containing the most beautiful diamond necklace with a matching bracelet.
“It matches your ring. I saw it when we were there and wanted your gift from me to be meaningful.”
“You did.” Tears shine like diamonds in my eyes as I stare at more gems than I have ever seen in my life.
“We met at the diamond gala, and within one day, my diamond was on your engagement finger. Diamonds brought us together, and now this completes the picture.”
He spins me around, and I love the desire heavy in his ebony eyes as he whispers, “I want to marry you so badly, Regina Stone. The woman who revealed she is a rare diamond in disguise.”
His lips brush against mine as he whispers, “I don’t want to marry you for any other reason than I want to. We belong together, and you can fight that all you want, but I am stating a fact and you know it.”
It’s as if he has taken a match to my heart and lit a flame so fierce it scorches my soul, and I can’t disguise the happiness that is filling every orifice inside me.
“I’ve got you a present too.”
He appears surprised at that.
“How?”
“When I was shopping for the gifts for your family I paid for this one myself with cash.”
With a sly wink, I move out of his arms and head into the dressing room where my purse is.
“It’s nothing much!” I yell from inside the room, and as I locate the small package, a moment’s apprehension catches me unaware.
What was I thinking when I bought this?
I’m hesitant as I picture what’s inside, and my throat dries as I consider how much he must have spent on my gift.
With a sigh, I head back inside the room, my heart racing as he faces me, dressed all in black, impossibly handsome, his dark eyes glittering with unbridled lust.
“It’s um silly really. I mean, not really a present at all, just a joke, something I hoped you would like—perhaps, um maybe, I didn’t really know you back then.”
“Back then?” He half smiles. “It’s been three days, Regina, and not even three complete ones.”
“I know, mad, isn’t it?”
I giggle to deflect my anxiety, and his voice softens. “I will love it because it came from you.”
“Okay.”
I hand him the small box and drag my lower lip between my teeth as he carefully unwraps it. To fill the awkward silence, my words trip over themselves.
“I would have made you a gift basket of course, because well, that is what I do best but there wasn’t time and well, I saw this and thought of you.”
He opens the box and retrieves the black leather braid held together by a silver clasp, with a heart engraved on it.
“I’m sorry, it’s not fancy or worth much, you probably hate it and I, well, I wouldn’t blame you really, in fact, I wouldn’t blame you if you chucked it in the trash, um, where it belongs.”
“I love it.”
His eyes burn as he fastens it around his wrist, the impossibly expensive gold watch beside it enhancing how cheap my gift really is.
His eyes gleam as he steps forward and, with one hand around the back of my head, pulls me close, his lips finding mine like a heat-seeking missile.
The kiss is soft, lazy even, sweeter than normal, and my lips tingle as he whispers, “Thank you. This means everything to me, and I will never take it off.”
“Now you’re mocking me.”
I giggle nervously, and he presses his forehead against mine and stares into my eyes, whispering, “I mean every word. I love it, and I will wear it always because this gift came from your heart to mine. It may not have been as expensive as the diamonds you will wear today, but it is way more valuable to me.”
“Nico, I–” My eyes glisten with tears and he kisses me softly, then deeper, taking his time, reassuring me that I am the most important person in his life right now. It’s a powerful weapon against my fear, and when he pulls away, I bemoan the fact that he took my heart with him.