Bella Mafia

Chapter 20

Vincenzo and Calli spent the next three hours reading what she had looked up on line regarding Sicily, his villa, the Adriatic sea, etc.  He enjoyed talking with her about his personal life, this part anyway, and would have never entertained the thought with anyone else.

She was like a sponge, soaking up everything he was telling her and the expressions on her face were real, you can't make up that kind of emotion, plus her enthusiasm was addicting.

He spent another hour preparing her for his family, in that they were very emotional people who loved to hug, they didn't know strangers and they loved any excuse to throw a party with food, drink, music and dancing.

He watched the emotions that she was going through, through her eyes.  In her case, they really were windows into her soul, she couldn't hide what she was feeling if she tried to.  He knew it had been a difficult road for her, having those two as her parents.

"They're doing all of this for me?" her voice sounded incredulous.  Vincent nodded, taking her hand and pulling her into his lap.  "My mother and father both have known you since you were born, they came to your christening and my mother helped your mother care for you for six months after you were born.

They are more than just my family, Calli.  They are yours now too.  You won't have to pretend with them or try to be someone that you're not, not that you would ever do that but you understand what I'm trying to say, no?" he asked gently.

Calli said she understood and he could see the internal struggle going on with her, so he continued trying to make her feel at ease.

"My family also knows what you've been through and have been going through with your family and are welcoming the chance to show how different a home can be when it's filled with love and acceptance."  

When Vincent finished what he had to say, he lifted her chin and pressed his lips to hers and right away her body relaxed into his and very soon they were both caught up in the emotion of it all.

Sighing, Calli laid her forehead to his.  He let the feelings that she brought out in him surrounded him and penetrate him, knowing that she was the only person in this whole world that could make him feel this way.

In his world, feelings and emotions could be dangerous, especially for a man in his position when his enemies looked for anything and everything to use as a weakness against him.  He would never be able to show anyone these things, other than Calli, lest they act upon it and make his loved ones suffer for it.

They continued to sit, with Calli still on his lap, until their flight attendant announced that they were clearing up to begin preparations to land.  Vincenzo nodded his acknowledgement, then looked down at Calli, his thumb rubbing circles on her shoulder, getting her to relax more.

"Are you ready, tesoro?" he asked softly.  Calli nodded but then looked at him and said "Is what I'm wearing okay or should I change?  You know since there will be a whole lot of new people I will be meeting for the first time."

He chuckled at her dilemma which caused her to scowl at him a bit and then he just right out laughed, her expression just one of the many endearing things he was coming to appreciate in her.

"I'm sorry, tesoro.  I wasn't laughing at you, I was just amused at the expression on your face is all.  I love what you are wearing, but if it would make you feel more comfortable to change, then do what makes you happy, okay?"  

Her face relaxed at his words and she excused herself to go and change while Vincent sent some text message replies and then answered some more emails that had come in while they were in the air.  Once that was done, he packed up his laptop, business bag and other items and returned to his seat.

He would only have to wait about ten more minutes before Calli emerged from the bedroom, looking changed, refreshed and absolutely gorgeous.

Vincent stood to his feet, like a gentleman would at the approach of a lady, his eyes not concealing what he felt the moment he saw her.

"Hmm, bella.  You look perfect" he said taking her hand while they sat back down.  "Do you feel better?" he asked sweetly.  She exhaled and said "I really do.  I'm glad I changed."

Vincent got this dark look to his eyes, one that had been there just hours before when they were rolling around half naked in his bed.  It was called lust and she just seemed to bring it out in him and she didn't even have to try.  All it took was her being herself.

He found himself jealous of the straps on her high heeled sandals, the way they wrapped around her feet and ankles, so sexy and they made her legs look like they went all the way to heaven and back.

Her dress was simple, yet clung beautifully to her curves, the way the strapless bodice clung to her chest and accentuated her breasts was breathtaking.  He loved that the skirt was short but not too and that length did nothing to hide the amazing legs she had.

He leaned into her body, his nose near her hair, and inhaled.  He loved the perfume that she wore.  It seemed suited to her and every time she moved her head, her hair would move to and send her scent floating on the air.

"What is that amazing scent that you are always wearing?" he asked her quietly.  "Calvin Klein's Eternity for Women" she answered.  "Hmm, don't ever wear anything else.  It smells like it was created just for you" was his reply.

Vincent watched Calli take his hand, lace their fingers together and then lay their hands on her left thigh.  Hmm, she was possessive of him already and he liked it.  He'd had women portray this emotion before, but it was always out of catty jealousy, not this pure feeling she had towards him.

Their pilot came over the intercom, told everyone to buckle up and then they could hear the landing gear coming down as the plane started its final descent.

Calli squeezing his hand drew attention to the wrinkle on her brow.  She was still nervous, even though he'd told her not to be.  Vincent had never met anyone that truly cared what other people thought of them and he knew at this point, she would just have to see for herself, that what he said about his family was true.

The couple felt the taxiing plane come to a stop and then Captain Martino said that they could disembark.  Squeezing her hand right back, Vincenzo looked over at her and said "You look beautiful and they are going to love you, so relax and have a good time.  I promise you won't regret it and it will be one of the best nights of your life."

Her smile was his reward as he took her hand, they stood, gathered their things and left the plane and went straight into an awaiting car that whisked them off to the Villa Clarissa and a night neither of them would ever forget.