AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It was a busy night at the restaurant, so I again declined his request to join him for dinner. However, he left me another large tip.
* * *
Dear Diary,
Tonight, Enzo looked exceptionally handsome in a single-breasted suit. When I inquired as to the occasion, he replied, “Do I need a reason, Amore mio?”
He pulled a long, thin velvet box from the inner breast pocket of his jacket. Instead of placing it in my hand, he placed it on the table between us and held my eyes as I reached for it. As my hand closed around the box, he grabbed my wrist. I inhaled sharply at the electric spark his touch elicited.
Enzo’s thumb brushed against the soft skin of my inner wrist. His other hand pulled the box from my hand. I gasped as he revealed the gorgeous diamond tennis bracelet contained within. I’ve worn diamonds before, but none given to me by a man of Enzo’s caliber.
His fingers lingered on my skin as he closed the clasp around my wrist.
“Bellissima,” he murmured against the back of my hand.
I rubbed my thighs together at the feel of his soft lips against my skin. No other man has affected me this way. The blush on my cheeks put a small smile on his face.
“Thank you,” I said.
“Will you join me for dinner?” He lifted his hand to the empty chair opposite his.
The hostess gained my attention and gestured to the ten-top that was seated in my section.
“I’m sorry, I can’t tonight,” I said as I fiddled with the diamond bracelet on my wrist. “Hopefully, next time.”
“Next time,” he agreed.
I couldn’t stop staring at the gorgeous bracelet on my wrist all night long. I admired how it sparkled even in the restaurant’s low lighting. The other women on staff were jealous to see how generous my benefactor was. On top of the diamond bracelet, another large tip was left on the table.
* * *
Dear Diary,
Tonight, Enzo failed to come in for dinner. I have never experienced such disappointment. Several tables commented on the look I couldn’t hide. Is this what falling for someone feels like? Perhaps he failed to come in as a power move to show me what I’m missing. Either way, I hope nothing happened to him.
* * *
Dear Diary,
Enzo worked out a deal with my manager for me to only serve him tonight. There was no excuse I could offer not to join him for dinner, not that I wanted to.
A man I hadn’t noticed before approached with a dress box in his hand.
“Mr. Prazza requests you dress for dinner tonight.”
My hands shook as I made my way into the employee lounge. I locked the door so no one could walk in on my Cinderella moment. I pulled the lid off the box and tore through the crinkling tissue paper until my fingers brushed over the green velvet cocktail dress.
Wearing a cocktail dress wasn’t new to me, as galas and charity events were something I was forced to attend since I was old enough to walk in a pair of heels. My parents were waiting for me to outgrow my childish working-class rebellion and allow some rich, boring banker to court me. But seeing this gift from Enzo made me feel cherished, like I was his. I’d never been so excited to step into a gown before, and never into something this sexy.
Beneath the gown was black lace lingerie. How did the man know my size? The lingerie fit like a glove. I turned in the mirror, running my hands over my body, imagining those hands belonged to Enzo. I couldn’t indulge in fantasy long, as the real thing awaited me.
I stepped into the gown and immediately felt transformed. I was no longer Juliana but the date of a powerful, mysterious man. My breasts threatened to spill from the low-cut neckline, and I couldn’t help but wonder if that was the point. A seductive amount of skin from my upper thigh peeked through the high slit. I walked over to the mirror and quickly touched up my makeup and finger-combed my blonde waves.
I was over-dressed for Luigi’s. But if this is what Enzo wanted me to wear and this is the place he wanted to dine with me, I was happy to do it.
“Sei una visione.” Enzo stood and kissed my cheek.
“Grazie,” I blushed and replied in the little Italian I’d learned for him.
