Page 16 of Reign of Fate
She glances over her shoulder and smiles. “I love a fresh sauce.” She grins, then turns her attention back to her cooking.
“You like to cook?”
“Yes. It relaxes me.”
“Smells heavenly,” I say, and walk up behind her, looking into the pan. Her back stiffens as she continues to stir.
“Thank you. If you like, I could send some home with you.” Ever so proper and polite. It makes me wonder what she’ll be like when I get her in my bed and the inhibitions disappear when I’m between her legs.
“I could stay, and you could feed me.”
She turns her head so that we’re practically nose to nose. “What about Adriana? Won’t she be expecting you?”
“Adriana has an early dinner. The other night was an exception. I’ll make it home in time to tuck her in. That is, if you don’t mind the company.” The bubbling pot catches her attention. She moves to take the lid off and reaches for the pasta.
“I don’t mind,” she says as she busies herself. I step back and watch her work. Elisa grabs the dishes and cutlery, but I take them from her hands.
“I got this.” Her jaw drops open. I shrug. “What? You think I don’t know how to set a table?”
“No, but I’ve never seen a man do it.”
I laugh, giving her a wink. “Get your fill, babe. I don’t do it often, but if I’m around, I do.”
It lightens the mood, and Elisa relaxes. We drift into an easy conversation about music. It seems like we have similar tastes in many areas. We both have an addiction to coffee, mine in the form of espresso, hers is more for lattes.
The meal is simple and delicious. I’m not sure when the last time was that it felt this good to be with someone. I hate to leave, but I’ve been away from Adriana all day, and I want to keep my promise to put her to bed.
“I think it would be a good idea for you to spend some time with Adriana. I’d like to bring her with me tomorrow. How do you feel about that?” I ask. This is the woman I intend to entrust my daughter with when I’m not around. There’s going to be an adjustment period, but I’d like to ease into that as early as possible.
Elisa’s face lights up with the biggest grin. “That would be awesome. We can do crafts, maybe bake some cookies.” She begins to rattle off a variety of activities to keep Adriana occupied.
“She’d love that.”
I look at my watch. “I’ve got to leave. There are men posted at each door, but if anything comes up, call me.” I take her hand. “Walk me to the door.”
“Good night, Ivo,” she says. She sounds sad. “I’m glad you stayed for dinner.”
I caress her cheek. “I want to kiss you, Elisa. But the first time I do, it won’t be in this house, surrounded by memories of another man. I want to be a good man and wait, but I know I won’t. Friday night, I’ll take you out for dinner. Just the two of us.”
She bites her lower lip. It’s clear she understands this is a sign of my intention to make good on my vow.
ELISA
Ivo’s gone, and I’m leaning with my back to the door, contemplating his parting words. A date, with Ivo. I’ve never been on a date. Guido and I were matched, and our dates were basically being seen together at family functions, with a hundred other people in attendance. Our first kiss was stolen during our first Christmas before our wedding. It was an innocent touch of the lips, sweet and gentle.
Every other kiss Guido and I shared was virtually the same: tender and loving. I enjoyed what we did together, which amounted to light petting and kisses. Our connection was emotional and intellectual. We shared the same interests, and we could talk for hours at a time. He was more my best friend than a husband, but it worked for us.
The thought of Ivo kissing me makes me tingle all over. I have no idea what I’m doing, and before our wedding night, I’m going to have to tell Ivo the truth. I’ve never spoken of my and Guido’s personal relationship. No one knows that we were never intimate. I’m almost twenty-four years old, and I’m still a virgin.
Today, I’ve gone through the gamut of emotions as I walked through the halls of this house that was once filled with warm memories, but now are nothing but cold walls.
SEVEN
Better Than a Workout
IVO
From the moment Adriana and I arrived at Elisa’s place, the two have been inseparable. Elisa met us at the door, and when Adriana saw the heap of blankets Elisa was carrying and heard her say they were going to build a girl fort, Adriana jumped up and down with excitement. I left them to it, but the unceasing giggles were enough temptation to check on them. Elisa was sitting cross-legged in this makeshift fort built on sofa cushions and making crafts out of popsicle sticks.
