Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75241 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75241 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
I smiled. “I can definitely be that for you.”
“But I also want a brave, talented man who will fight for what he wants and stand up for what’s right even when it’s dangerous.”
“You can have that too. You can have all of me. You can do anything.”
“Anything to you or anything at all?”
“Either. Both. You’re also brave and talented, and you care so much, even when you don’t want to show it.” He bit his lips, looking up at me through his lashes. “Move in with me.”
The words seemed to burst from him. My mouth fell open, and it took me a moment to respond. “Are you serious?”
“I know it’s crazy and impulsive and—”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Really.”
“I’m guessing you don’t have a lot of stuff to move, so—”
I laughed. “It will all fit.”
“Maybe we should go shopping to see what we can do to make your wardrobe more exciting.”
“Maaaybe. But no velvet jackets.”
He laughed. “You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.”
But I did. Lane was the one person who could probably talk me into anything. “It doesn’t matter. I know I can handle it because I was wrong. There was a perfect man out there for me, and I finally found him.”
32
Epilogue
One month later
Lane
I hugged my father goodbye and walked out of DiGiulio’s. I’d requested we meet there for lunch. It had become my favorite restaurant after eating there with my mom and then with Giorgio who’d introduced me to the owner, Lucien Marchesi, Devil’s cousin. Lucien was just as intimidating as Devil but in a different, more refined way. He was nice enough, though, and Giorgio and my father assured me if I ever needed anything, Lucien or his brother or cousin would help me out.
This was the second time I’d had lunch with my father since he’d told me who he really was. He’d also come to my gallery opening. I’d just managed to get my pieces done on time, and it had turned out to be my most successful showing yet. Having both Giorgio and my father there had made it even more special.
I was still angry with him and my mother for keeping their secret all these years, but I couldn’t help but like him, both sides of him. So I decided it wouldn’t hurt to get to know him. Lunch had been delicious, and our conversation had flowed more naturally this time. My father had told me what he could about his time in the military, then we talked some about the rest of his family. He asked me if he could introduce me to his sister sometime soon, and I’d told him I’d consider it.
After lunch, my father headed back to his home office, and I had some shopping to do. I had a surprise planned for Giorgio that night. He’d been busy with a few different missions since he’d moved in with me, the most recent of which had taken him out of town for a few days. He had gotten back late last night, and he’d been exhausted. Despite being desperate for his touch after days apart, I’d just snuggled up next to him and encouraged him to get some sleep. Tonight I was going to make sure we had time to thoroughly enjoy each other.
When Giorgio got home, I called out, telling him I was in the bedroom.
“Be there in a second.” I heard his bag hit the floor, the clunk of the two deadbolts as he locked them, and the jingle of the security chain. Giorgio was slowly working on installing better security in the building at his own expense. I hadn’t wanted to move because my studio had such perfect light, so he said he’d make the place safer for us.
I turned around as I heard the door open, and Giorgio’s eyes widened.
“Holy shit. Is there some occasion I forgot?”
I laughed. “No. This is all for you.”
I was wearing a tux, the same style as the one I’d worn to the fundraiser that had put an end to Alan and his friends’ sex party business. Giorgio hadn’t gotten to enjoy stripping me out of a tux that night. Even if I’d felt up to it and he’d been there, the suit had been torn and stained by the time I’d made it home. Several times since, I’d thought about how Giorgio had looked at me when I’d gotten ready that night, and I’d decided I needed to recreate that scene. I already knew my efforts had been worth it. The look on Giorgio’s face was even more appreciative than it had been that day.
“You like my surprise?”
“Mmm. Yes. I like it. A lot.” He gave me a slow once-over.
“The tux is only part of tonight’s surprise,” I said.
“Oh?”
I gestured toward the bed where I’d laid out lube and the butt plug he’d found in my suitcase the day I’d packed to go to the cabin, the one he’d told me he’d like to put inside me along with his cock. He’d mentioned it when fucking me a few times, but we hadn’t gotten around to trying it yet.