“I know.” In contrast, Angelo’s words were lined with manly satisfaction. Kissing her on the cheek, he moved his mouth to her ear, whispering, “I almost forgot.” Before she could ask, he said softly, “I love you.”
And then he was walking away.
The front doors of the mansion had already closed behind Angelo before she could recover from her shock.
Oh my gosh, did she just—-
She hobbled happily towards Umberto, her spirits so high that she found herself forgiving Angelo for forcing her to take his limousine to uni.
“Good morning, signorina.” Umberto allowed himself a polite smile as the signorina beamed and returned his greeting. Such a moody child, he thought fondly. Just a few seconds ago, she had looked like she carried a grudge against the master, and here she was now, looking quite besotted.
When Lane was inside the car, Fico immediately handed her a beautifully wrapped box and a card.
“For you, signorina.”
“Umm...thanks.” She took out the card from the envelope first.
Call me as soon as you open your gifts.
AV
Her heart skipped a beat.
Fingers trembling, she carefully unwrapped his gift, which was a pair of ballet flats made of black lace and velvet. There was a note tucked inside the shoebox. The first line read—-
Wear them, my Lane. They’ll make walking easier for you after last night.
Her cheeks burned with a mixture of embarrassment and pleasure. Taking the shoes out, she stored her existing pair in the box and slid her feet in the new ones. A wry smile touched her lips. It wasn’t just wonderfully comfortable. It was the perfect fit, too, as expected from Angelo.
Her gaze moved back to Angelo’s note.
Open the cooler. My next gift is in it.
She did as instructed and inside the cooler, she saw a set of imported ready-to-drink tea in artisan-painted bottles. The first bottle came with a note as well.
Drink this, tesoro. It is good in relaxing both mind and body.
It should help you cope with my demands tonight.
Lane’s hands flew to her burning cheeks at the note. He had clearly perfected the art of embarrassing her, with the way he could make her blush even when he wasn’t around.
Uncapping a bottle of tea, she took a small sip. The liquid was ice cold, minty, and sweet. The perfect blend, she thought ruefully.
Taking her phone out, she called Angelo and had another sip as his phone started to ring.
Angelo answered on the third ring, asking silkily, “Did you like my gifts, my Lane?”
“Y-yes.” She felt shy all of a sudden. It almost didn’t feel right that he was being this sweet towards her, and a part of Lane was questioning what she could have done to deserve it.
“Good.” His voice turned brisk. “If I may, I would like to ask a favor.”
Oh. His words almost sounded like she had been bribed, but she quickly pushed the thought away and told herself she was being silly.
“What is it?” She nervously took a sip of her tea.
“Could you buy us condoms?”
Lane spewed out her tea.
Angelo’s chuckle was the sound of pure, wicked pleasure, and she knew – she just knew he had anticipated her reaction and had planned everything – the tea, his suddenly serious question, his shocking words.
Everything!
She cried out, “Sadist!”
And her fallen angel didn’t even bother to deny it, saying mildly, “The very best there is.” And oh, how her heart ached in the most agonizingly sweet way at the words.
“It’s why all the women want me, my Lane. It’s why,” he purred, “you want me.” His voice lowered. “But lucky you, you’re the only one who has me in your bed.”
Her toes curled hard at his words, but she managed to say, “In your heart, too.” And even as she could feel her face heating up, she teased, “I’m t-the only one in your heart.”
Pause.
Then Angelo said finally, “I didn’t expect you to say that.”
Her eyes widened. Was that awkwardness she heard in his voice? “Are you...embarrassed?” And as soon as she said it, she knew it was true, and she couldn’t help bursting into a peal of giggles.
“Getting ahead of yourself, are you, my Lane?” Even though his tone was exasperated, she could hear the smile in his voice, too, and the sound was enough to keep her toes permanently curled.
“I was about to tell you I was only kidding about the condoms,” he drawled.
Wait! What? She sat up straight. “Angelo—-”
“But I changed my mind.”
She squeaked in protest. “Angelo, I—-”
“Buy the largest size you can find, my Lane. Choose a flavor you like.”
She stammered, “But I’ve never—-”
“Don’t even think of coming to the office without them.”
Click.
Angelo had ended the call.
She collapsed on her seat. Oh my gosh, he was such a sadist! How could he even make her—-
“Is everything alright, signorina?” Umberto asked from the driver’s seat.
“Umm...” She cleared her throat. “Could we, err, stop by at a 7-11?”