Page 221 of Valentino

“He reckons he’s going to bed.” Loui tightens his grip around my neck as I fight to stay on my feet.

“No fucking way you’re going home, soft cock,” Marcus slurs.

“Hey. Stop wrestling,” the bride snaps. “Valentino, come over here and say goodbye to me.”

Saved by the bell.

“Let go of me, fucker.” I break out of Loui’s grip and make my way over to the bride; I take her hand and walk her to the car. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks for everything.” She smiles up at me.

“It was an honor.” I open the car door and practically push her in, I bundle up her dress from the floor and stuff it in after her.

What is this poofy dress?

“Oww.” She grimaces as she knocks her head on the side of the car on the way down.

“Time to go.” I close the door behind her with a slam. “Get in the car,” I mouth to the groom.

Finally, he gets in and we all cheer as they drive away.

“To the cigar bar,” I call.

“Yes.” Everyone cheers.

They go left and I go right and scurry into the garden. I peer through the leaves as I watch them disappear back inside, if I go with them to that bar I’ll never get away.

I wait and wait and finally when I’m sure the coast is clear, I make my way inside and into the elevator, I ride to Anna’s floor in silence with my heart in my throat.

Still….

I smirk at the realization, after all this time, after what feels like every woman in the world, to this day, Anna is still the only woman who’s ever made me nervous.

I guess some things never change.

The elevator doors open and with every step down the hall toward her room another reason why I shouldn’t be here presents itself. I arrive and hesitate; this afternoon I had no control over my faculties. Seeing Anna in the flesh caught me completely off guard.

But being here now, I could stop if I wanted to.

I should stop.

A stronger man would think with his head. Go to that cigar bar and never look back.

I swipe the card and walk in, the room is dimly lit by the bedside lamp, and my eyes linger on her body. Anna’s lying with her back to me and is asleep on her side.

The weird thing is, I don’t even care she’s asleep. Being here, and in her presence….

I shower, dry myself and slide into bed behind her. I take her into my arms and kiss her temple. I inhale deeply, her scent waking something dormant inside of me.

“Hmm,” she murmurs sleepily. “Val.”

“It’s just me,” I whisper.

She smiles against my skin, turns her head, and kisses me softly over her shoulder. “Did you have a fun night.”

“I did, though it paled in comparison to the beginning and the end.”

She lets out a soft giggle as she rolls back toward me.