The Don and His Mafia Princess: Book Two of The Costanzo Series - Standalone

CHAPTER 36

I wake slowly, my body deliciously sore in all the right places. As consciousness seeps in, I become aware of the strong, muscular arms wrapped around my waist, holding me close. A smile tugs at my lips as memories of last night flood my mind - Stefano's touch, his kisses, the way he worshipped my body with a reverence that left me breathless and aching for more.

He introduced me to pleasures I never knew existed, stoking the flames of my desire until I was burning, consumed by a need only he could satisfy. Even now, just the thought of it sends a shiver down my spine, my skin tingling with remembered bliss.

I turn carefully in his embrace, not wanting to wake him. In sleep, his handsome face is relaxed, the lines of tension smoothed away. He looks peaceful, younger, his dark lashes fanning against his cheeks. My fingers itch to trace the strong lines of his jaw, to brush the stray curl from his forehead, but I resist the urge, content to simply drink in the sight of him.

It still feels surreal, waking up in Stefano's arms. I expected anything but this after he found out about my past. I couldn't be happier to be wrong about how I assumed he would take things.

Carefully, I try to extract myself from his hold, wanting to freshen up before he wakes. But the moment I shift, his arms tighten around me, pulling my body flush against the hard planes of his.

"Where do you think you're going?" he murmurs, his voice rough with sleep. The sound sends a thrill straight to my core.

"I was just going to take a shower," I explain, my hand coming up to rest on his chest. I can feel the steady thump of his heartbeat beneath my palm.

Stefano's lips curve into a wicked grin. "There's no need. I'm just going to get you dirty again."

Heat floods my cheeks at his bold words. "Stefano!" I admonish, swatting at his chest. But I can't help the smile that tugs at my mouth, the anticipation that coils low in my belly.

"Come back to bed, luce del sole," he coaxes, tugging me closer. I go willingly, melting into his embrace.

As much as I long to lose myself in him again, reality intrudes. "I need to go home," I sigh, tracing idle patterns on his skin. "My family must be worried sick."

As much as I long to lose myself in him again, reality intrudes. "I need to go home," I sigh, tracing idle patterns on his skin. "My family must be worried sick."

Stefano's hand comes up to stroke my hair, his touch gentle. "They know you're with me. I asked your friend you were with to let them know."

His words make me pause. Stefano's sudden appearance at the club clicks into place - he must have flown to Miami to surprise me. But a question nags at me.

"Wait," I say, propping myself up on an elbow to look at him. "How did you know I was at that specific club?"

Stefano's eyes gleam with amusement. "I just did."

"But how?" I press, curiosity getting the better of me.

A secretive smile plays at the corners of his mouth. "I have my ways," he says, his tone teasing yet final.

I roll my eyes but can't stop the warmth that blooms in my chest. "Why am I not surprised?"

He leans in, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. "I only do it because you mean so much to me, Andrea."

Emotion clogs my throat. I close my eyes, breathing in his scent, letting it ground me. "I know. But I really do need to go home, even just to change."

Stefano sighs but relents, his fingers still playing through my hair. "Fine. But only to change. You're spending the rest of the day with me."