“No one’s ever made me feel like you do, Sal. Not even close. I know you’re the one. I love you.”

“Baby, you have no idea how bad I want to, but it just wouldn’t feel right tonight.”

She glanced away not wanting him to see the disappointment she felt.

“Can I ask you something?”

Her eyes met his again. “Yes.” She’d answered the hardest question she could think of already and now he knew without a doubt she was a virgin—a virgin who was offering herself to him. He could ask her whatever he wanted.

“How far have you ever gone?” He brought her hand to his chest and she felt his heart pound. “I won’t lie. I’m feeling a little pressure, not to mention the incredible honor of being your first. When the time comes I just wanna know exactly how gentle I need to be.”

Okay, so maybe there were still a few tough questions left. “Not far. I hadn’t even kissed anyone in almost year. And before that I had a couple relationships in high school. But I was always too scared to do much.”

He felt his hand slide up her leg and in between her legs and her breath caught but she didn’t want him to think she was scared, even though she felt her heart jump to her throat. His fingers caressed her as he stared deep in her eyes. “Anyone ever done this to you?”

Feeling the sudden arousal of his touch, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, shaking her head.

“Really? No one has ever touched you there?” His fingers continued to move in small circles and she felt tingly from the pit of her stomach all the way down to her toes. She couldn’t even answer him. She shook her head again, breathing harder with every one of his slow strokes.

He kissed her neck then began to suck softly. A moan escaped her when she felt his fingers move the strip of her bikini bottom aside. Now there was nothing in between his fingers and her burning flesh. He continued to massage finding the spot that made her shudder. “Relax,” he whispered against her ear. “You’re gonna like this.” Then kissed her check softly.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, spreading her legs a little wider for him and felt his hard erection against her pelvis. “I already do,” she whispered in his ear.

His fingers spread her and teased her, making her heart pound even harder. Would he go there? Then they suddenly stopped. He pulled his face back so that their eyes could meet and he smiled. “I’m saving that for me.” She felt his fingers move back higher to the place that had made her spasm moments ago and she buried her face in his neck, squirming as the sensation began to build. His fingers moved rhythmically but gently. He’d speed up then slow down, driving her crazy. She pulled her face away from his neck and kissed him.

As her tongue sped up so did his fingers. Until she had to pull away from his mouth to pant, her entire body trembling. “That’s it, Gracie. Enjoy it.”

It felt so incredible she cried out and squeezed her eyes shut, pulling herself away from him because she couldn’t take his fingers anymore. He pulled his hand away but brought her back to him, hugging her tightly. “Goddamn, Grace. You drive me crazy.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck breathing hard. She kissed his temple still enjoying the waves of pleasure that rolled through her entire body.

“Did you like that, Gracie?”

Still unable to speak she nodded.

“Good,” he whispered. “I love you, baby.”

Even though she’d heard him say it all week it still felt too good to be true. She still couldn’t wrap her mind around the idea that Sal Moreno loved her. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever fully believe it. “I love you too, Sal, with all my heart.” That she was absolutely sure of.

CHAPTER 21

Knowing he’d be gone that evening, Sal made sure to schedule Grace for the opening shift Saturday. He picked her up and together they opened the restaurant. In the little time Grace had worked there she’d caught on to everything quickly. She walked in with him and helped him set everything up, get the registers counted and going, start the ovens, set up the kitchen and get everything else for the day—she was incredible. Only he and his siblings did as much with so much care. To all the other employees it was just a job, but Grace really cared, he saw it in her face. She wanted things done right, just as much as he did.

He walked up behind her as she worked in the kitchen, and wrapped his arms around her waist. “God, I’m gonna miss you tonight.” He kissed her just above the ear.

“Just hurry home tomorrow.” She spun around, wrapping her arms around his neck. He took her mouth in his, thinking about the things he’d do to her when he got back. Unable to hold back he kissed her even deeper. Hearing a small moan escape her drove him crazy. The kiss became even more frenzied now as he imagined doing things to her right here in this kitchen.

Someone cleared their throat loudly and Grace pulled away. Alex chuckled as he walked away from the kitchen door and into the office. Sal gulped trying to catch his breath as he glared a his brother’s grinning face. What an ass. In Sal’s hurry to pick up Grace, he’d forgotten Alex said he’d be in early to do the payroll.

“How embarrassing,” Grace whispered, pulling even further away from Sal.

He pulled her back to him. “Don’t be embarrassed. That guys has no qualms about attacking his wife in front of anyone. He’s worse than Angel.”

“Still,” she said her face a bit flushed.