Filed to story: Submitting to My Bestie’s Daddy Read Online >>???
“Try it on,” I urged her.
She took the dress into the bathroom to get ready while I began to change out of my own clothes. For tonight, I decided to go with a light beige suit and a tie that would match Natalia’s gown. Before she’d finished getting ready, I swiftly took out the small velvet box from the top drawer of the dresser and slipped it into my pocket.
My heart leaped into my throat when I finally got a real chance to look at her. As I expected, the dress fit her like a glove, and her hair remained in loose curls around her shoulders.
“You look perfect.”
“So do you,” she whispered back.
As the driver took us into the city, Natalia went on to talk about everything we had seen during the day, but my mind was reeling from the one question that was branded in my mind.
The velvet box that held the ring felt like it was burning a hole in my pocket.
I just hoped that I could make it through tonight.
*Tallon*
“I can do this,” I thought to myself. “I can do this… oh, shit. What if I can’t do this?”
For the love of God, how was it possible that I could hold a loaded gun to a person’s head, but couldn’t manage to maintain my cool in front of the woman I loved?
We took the beautiful scenic route through the city to get to the restaurant. As expected, one of the owners of the place greeted us at the door and brought us directly to our table in a private room that overlooked the natural majesty of the Apennine Mountains, which was decorated tastefully with candles and fresh flowers.
Our evening began with an aged bottle of wine and a few light pickings. Natalia was dazzled and couldn’t get over the fantastic view that stood before us. The waiters were conscientious and perhaps just a bit too… attentive at times.
Had my nervousness not been enough to deal with, my jealousy was sure to sabotage tonight’s purpose.
At least three of our servers kept lingering in our private room just to steal a look at Natalia. It was beginning to get on my nerves.
“For fuck’s sake, they’re not even trying to be subtle about it,” I thought angrily.
Of course, they were leering at her. How could they not? Who could blame them? She was a walking dream, an angel that had literally ‘fallen’ into my life.
From the moment we stepped into the restaurant, I could sense that every other man’s attention was instantly drawn to her. Everyone who was working as well as present for their own romantic evening out, turned their heads to catch a quick glimpse.
I was almost beginning to regret getting her the dress and jewelry set, just because it was drawing too much attention to her. Natalia didn’t need any help in making her look more beautiful.
I was not about to ruin this night just because I wasn’t able to keep my emotions in check.
God, I felt childish. It was as if the grown man I’d become had stepped out of the room and left behind a young boy who was afraid of his own shadow. I couldn’t fathom why I was so nervous.
Ever since she’d moved into the house, we’d spent countless nights together. We’d been in each other’s company long enough to feel completely comfortable. There were no secrets, no fears. It was just us in our little world, safe from all worries and threats now that business with the Russians changed so immensely. Nothing–there was absolutely nothing that could have caused me to feel so agitated, and yet I was.
“Jesus, get a hold of yourself,” I cursed.
I forced myself to take numerous deep breaths and find my focus. Of course, none of that was easily achieved when I spotted one of our waiters peeking around the corner to sneak a glance at Natalia’s side profile.
A part of me demanded that I get up from the table and remove the other man myself, but kept my composure in line.
Natalia must have noticed my uneasiness because a second later, she was reaching across the table to rest her hand over my own.
“Hey,” she spoke softly. “Just ignore them. I do.”
I let out a bashful chuckle. “Believe me, love. It’s taking every nerve inside of me to not go for their throats.”
She squeezed my hand. The sound of her laughter allowed my shoulders to relax.
“Well, now you know how it feels when we’re out in public and literally every woman is staring openly at you,” she pointed out.
My lips parted in shock. Suddenly, I felt a wild spark of arousal course through me. It never occurred to me that Natalia would ever feel something as trivial as jealousy. Surely she knew that these other women were not even a thought in my mind. There wasn’t even a comparison whenever it came to her.
I brushed the pad of my thumb over the top of her hand and smiled. “I think I like you a little possessive,” I said smugly.
Natalia playfully rolled her eyes and shared a look of amusement.
“I know I’ve been saying this since we got here, but thank you,” she said. “Tonight has been perfect. I’ve loved every moment we’ve spent together.”
Hearing her say this gave me the rush of confidence I didn’t know I needed.
It was hard to believe that just a few months ago I had willingly walked into an ambush, without a single piece of protection. The chances of me walking out of that predicament alive were one out of a hundred. And still, I found this whole situation far more terrifying.
My mind was becoming my worst enemy. As each minute ticked by on the imaginary clock I’d set inside of my head, the list of questions was growing endless.
What if by the end of the night, I’d lose my nerve and fail to ask her? What if I did ask her, but she ended up saying no? What was I going to do if she said no?
It was not a pleasant thought to ponder, but it was certainly one that I needed to take into consideration. Our relationship was many things—conventional was not one of them. But I was willing and wanting to overlook everything that set the two of us apart because, deep down, I knew that we were perfect together.
Whatever fear that was rolling through me would just have to be suppressed until the end of the evening.
“I’m going to ask her at the end of dinner,” I decided.
My nerves, thankfully, were beginning to calm down as our waiters brought out the next course. For a good while, the two of us fell into a comfortable silence as we ate. Aside from the irritating, persistent glance from the waiting staff, the food was exceptional.
For a moment I allowed my eyes to drift from Natalia to glance out the large window next to our table. The scenery was unmatched as the city below was starting to come to life with small lights filtering throughout. Granted there were multiple spots that were considered major tourist attractions in Tuscany, but I knew I wouldn’t mind spending more time out here. The countryside was peaceful and the villa was tucked away for decent privacy.
It made me wonder if Natalia would be interested in staying for a longer period of time, maybe a few weeks as opposed to a few days?
Honestly, it almost felt surreal, sitting where we were together. A small smile curved the corner of my mouth.
To think, there was a time when I truly didn’t believe that we would have another opportunity like this.
Natalia placed her fork down and reached for my hand once more. I was quickly pulled from the thoughts and turned to face her.
“Tell me what’s on your mind,” she said.
My smile deepened.
“Oh, just thinking about how beautiful this city is and wondering why I haven’t made the time to come here more often with you,” I answered. “And, also how there was a time when I didn’t think any of this would be possible….”
She took her bottom lip between her teeth and gently bit down. Her gaze dropped to our hands.
“I know what you mean. These last couple of days, my mind has been wandering back to when we first met here. It’s hard to believe how much time has passed, and yet it all feels like it happened yesterday.”
I nodded my head in agreement.
