Chapter 19: Chapter 19

SANTINO

Santino woke Presley up with a kiss and had his way with her again. By the time he was done, they were both panting and their stomachs were growling.

He got out of bed to make them breakfast, pulling his pajama pants on. Presley groaned as she watched his muscles flex. She stretched and started to laugh, kicking her legs against the bed.

“What are you doing?” Santino smiled.

He felt good. He was happy and in love.

“A happy dance. I’m just too lazy to get up and do it.” She grinned at him.

“Get your lazy ass up,” he said, pressing a kiss to her lips. “I’m making us something to eat. Get dressed if you want, but I’m perfectly fine if you decide to walk around naked.”

He pulled her up and smacked her ass, making her laugh. He left her to get up and went to the kitchen. He had already started on the bacon by the time she came out, wearing a robe.

She made the mimosas, and he kissed her after they toasted. He thought back to last night and how amazing she had looked in the club. That reminded him of something.

“Press, who was the guy you recognized last night?” Santino asked, flipping the bacon.

“Oh yeah, Paul. I don’t think he recognized me though,” she laughed. “It was dark in the club, and I was in professional mode.”

“Where do you know Paul from?” Santino asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.

“I met him and his girlfriend, Gia, at the resort. I think they were investing with my client, Mister Espinoza.”

Santino stiffened.

“Mr. Espinoza?” he asked in a low voice.

“Yeah. I think I have a picture of them from the trip.” She smiled and fetched her phone. “Paul was nice. His girlfriend was a bitch, though she did wear some beautiful jewelry. You should have seen some of the pieces she had on.”

Santino was trying to rein in his growing anger. “Could you show me again?”

“I love my bracelet, Santino,” she said cautiously, rubbing his arm.

“I’m glad, sweetheart. I’m just trying to ascertain if you like a particular style for future reference. Did anything she had on stand out to you?”

“Ah, okay,” she said with a relieved smile. “She had several diamond bangles that were absolutely stunning. A pair of diamond drop earrings that she wore in the pool of all places, and this giant cocktail ring. It was a huge ruby set in platinum. It was a bit much when worn all together, honestly.”

She flicked through her phone, finding a picture of Gia in a pool with her arms wrapped around Paulie’s neck. Every piece of jewelry she had on was his mother’s. He flashed Presley a smile.

“You’re right. Those kinds of pieces should be worn alone to not distract from their beauty,” he said, repeating the words he’d grown up hearing from his mother.

“Agreed. Anyway, he was nice. When I saw him at the club last night, I went over to say hey, but he must not have been able to see me very well. He acted like he didn’t know me.” She started to set the table for them.

“I’m sorry.” He set down his spatula. “Can you watch this for a second? I’ll be right back, sweetheart.”

He stepped into the living room and texted Elio.

Santino

Pick up Paulie and Gia. She’s got my mother’s jewelry, and I think he’s connected to the missing product.

Elio

Got it, boss. Want to question him soon as we find him?

Santino

Let him sit tonight. I am not leaving her today.

Elio

Understood.

Santino

I want answers.

Elio

As do I. I’ll find him.

Santino

Keep me posted.

Santino carried his phone back into the kitchen and laid it on the counter, coming up behind Presley. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her shoulder.

“Let me finish this.”

“Is everything okay?” she asked.

“Yeah.”

“I’m starving.” She blushed when he looked at her and grinned. “You used up all my energy.”

“Fuel up, sweetheart. We’re going back to bed after we eat. Or maybe a shower and then bed,” he said with a self-satisfied smile.

They ate, both cleaning their plates. She pulled out steaks for dinner, and he grunted in approval. He was helping her clean up when his phone chimed again. He picked it up.

Elio

Call me.

Santino stepped outside while Presley finished up. “What’s up?”

“We got Paulie, and Gia has just been picked up. She had on your mother’s ruby ring.”

He was pissed. “Get the rest of it,” he growled.

“I’m sorry, Santino. I’ll get this handled immediately.”

“Hold them both till I decide what to do.”

“You got it, boss. Go enjoy your girl. They won’t be going anywhere.”

“Thank you.” He hung up and walked back inside the house, slamming the door behind him.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, just business. Nothing to worry about.” He wrapped his arms around her. “What would you like to do for the rest of the day?”

“I was thinking we could go shopping or maybe a hike?”

Santino couldn’t stop his eyebrows from rising. He had hoped she would want to stay in bed all day.

“Okay, a hike? Like in the mountains? And how much shopping?”

He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to figure out how he was going to negotiate his way out of this. Presley started laughing.

“I’m kidding! I don’t want to do anything but maybe play naked under the covers and eat a big steak later.”

He growled and grabbed her, pulling her close. “Brat. You had me worried for a second. I was trying to figure out how to change your mind.”

“Oh, I’m sure you know a way,” she purred.

They were undressed and under the covers in a matter of seconds. She let out a breathy laugh as he spread open her legs.

“How’s this?” he asked, hands gliding along her skin. He loved the way it felt under his fingertips.

“Better than hiking,” she gasped.

He dipped his head and skimmed his nose through her pubic hair, tongue flicking out to taste her. She was begging for more by the time he was done. He rolled over on his back with a grin as Presley climbed on top of him and lowered herself onto his shaft, moaning as he filled her up.

She trailed her fingertip down his lip while she rolled her hips. His hands cupped her ass, gently guiding the lazy rocking motion. Her head thrown back in pleasure was the sexiest thing he had ever seen.

She came when he bit the pad of her finger, and she continued to move until he was a complete mess, moaning for her. He pulled her to his chest when she collapsed beside him, kissing the top of her head.

“I love you, sweetheart. I can’t wait to do life with you.”

“I love you too. Bring it on.”