AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It was so delicious.
Vincenzo was a master in the kitchen.
He had a way of making food that was both comforting and extraordinary, a talent that was showcased brilliantly in his restaurant,Il Sole di Napoli. I knew he owned a slew of others, but that one was my favorite.
His restaurant was a gem in our town, a cozy Italian eatery with an ambiance that made me feel like I’d stepped into a rustic village in southern Italy.
From the moment you walked in, everything screamed Italy. From the walls covered with vintage photographs of Naples, to the scent of fresh herbs, garlic, and tomatoes that always filled the cozy space, not to mention the delicious dishes made with love in the back kitchen, it was perfect. Bella and I had spent countless evenings there together.
I’d practically grown up there.
One of my favorite dishes was his homemade gnocchi. The soft, pillow-y dumplings melted in my mouth every time I ate them. They were coated in this luscious, tangy tomato sauce that was always simmered to perfection. Vincenzo always insisted on using the freshest ingredients, many of which he sourced from local farmers. It made all the difference, and gave his dishes a rich, authentic flavor that was hard to find anywhere else.
Suddenly, I craved it more than anything.
“Do you think, if I begged and pleaded, you’d make me some of your famous gnocchi later?” I asked, giving him a playful smile.
Vincenzo raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in his eyes.
“I’d like to see you beg and plead for me, but it wouldn’t be gnocchi that you were begging for, baby girl,” he said darkly.
I laughed, shaking my head all while liquid heat coiled in my core at his suggestion. For a second, I was speechless, but I quickly recovered.
“I’m serious. I’ve been craving it for weeks,” I whispered.
Okay, maybe not weeks, but it certainly felt like it right now.
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his gaze locking onto mine.
“It’s pretty hard to say no to you, Jenna, especially when you beg so very prettily,” he grinned.
A blush crept up my cheeks at the intensity of his gaze.
“Good to know I have some influence over the great Mafioso Vincenzo Santoro.”
His lips curled into a smirk. “More than you realize.”
I felt a flutter in my stomach at his words, the air between us charged with unspoken desire.
“Is that so?” I quipped.
He nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. “Absolutely. And who knows, maybe I’ll make an entire feast tonight. Just for you.”
I raised an eyebrow, feeling bold. “Just for me? What’s the special occasion?”
He leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest, a playful smile on his lips. “Do I need an occasion to spoil you a little?”
I bit my lip, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. “I suppose not. But I won’t say no to being spoiled.”
“So, in honor of spoiling you, how about you help me in the kitchen tonight? We can make those gnocchi together. It could be fun.”
I grinned, feeling a burst of excitement. “I’d love that. Just promise not to laugh at my terrible cooking skills.”
He chuckled, the sound rich and warm. “I promise. Besides, with me guiding you, there’s no way you can mess it up.”
“Is that a challenge?” I teased, raising an eyebrow.
“Sassy girl,” he replied, his tone subtly suggestive.
