Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 518 -

*Tallon*

I couldn't even begin to hide my excitement. I felt like I had drank a dozen energy drinks and half a bottle of old-timey cough medicine, the ones they loaded up with all the good shit before regulations came down on their assess. And that shit was effective too. I couldn't deny having downed said combined energy drinks and cough medicine one time in high school, half on a dare and half because it was exam weeks and I hadn't studied or slept for a week. Well, the consequences came back with a baseball bat to my stomach because I woke up the next day with no memory and puked my guts out. I got a perfect score on my exams, though, and that was what mattered. Today, however, felt different than back then.

I was wide awake, my phone gripped tightly in my hand as I stared out at the streets of Florence, a huge grin on my face as I imagined what Natalia was doing, if she was waiting for me.

I glanced at the texts on my phone. There was no sign of a response after I'd sent 'I'm coming to pick you up. Can't wait to see you,' twenty minutes ago. I was a bit worried that I hadn't heard a response, but maybe she was just busy getting ready.

That had to be it, I thought reassuringly to myself.

I'd made all the arrangements for our trip already. I had the villa cleaned and ready for us, fully staffed for the weekend, and the jet prepared and ready to go. I'd made sure Alessandro and Vinny had control of the situation back home, all so that I could get away from the city and all of the responsibilities for a while.

Alessandro had been surprisingly positive when I told him about Natalia. He even offered to let me take his car to impress her, but I was attached to my own. I couldn't wait to have Natalia see it at the villa.

When we arrived, the street was empty. It sent alarm bells off in my head and for a moment, my heart dropped as I thought something bad had happened. I'd just thrown off my seatbelt, ready to take off down the driveway when I saw the front door of her apartment open.

Natalia stood there with a wide smile, looking adorable in her miniskirt and tight cami. She waved a bit, dragging a white rolling suitcase behind her, and I got out of the car slowly, with a bit of a lovesick gaze as I waited for her.

Her sandals had a bit of a heel to them, and the pavement wasn't the smoothest due to how old it was. But I like to think she did it on purpose.

I grinned as she tripped one of the cracks in the sidewalk, falling headfirst into my chest as I easily caught her from a nasty tumble. I grinned with a gentle hold on her elbow as I helped stabilize her.

"Well, this is becoming a recurrence. Tell me," I smirked, leaning down to whisper in her ear, "is it just me you keep falling for?"

I watched the rose shade of her cheeks turn into a fire-hydrant red and she sent me a playful glare, her lips twitching in the corners as she forced herself not to smile.

"It's just the shoes. They're brand new," she said, raising her head high as she pulled out of my grasp. I closed my hands, already wanting to reach out and pull her back into my arms, to feel her fully against me again, but I was a gentleman and I knew my boundaries.

"Is that so?" I grinned, tilting my head to the side as I surveyed the heeled sandals with interest. "Well, it's nice to know you're wanting to get so dolled up for me, sweetheart."

"As if," she huffed, crossing her arms. "There was a sale at my favorite store, that's all."

"Oh really? And why didn't you call me for this sale?" I asked, stepping a bit closer as we naturally moved toward the car, keeping her gorgeous eyes locked on mine. It was like a dance we played, one step forward and one step back, so intricate that only we knew the rules.

"I'm sorry," She sent me a sly grin. "I didn't realize you were into women's shoes. I'll have to invite you next time. I've got a stiletto that'll fit you in my

suitcase."

My eyes flashed as I saw my moment and I leaned my arm on the car door, my shadow falling over her as she met me with a fierce look in her eyes, not at all intimidated by me. I chuckled under my breath.

"I'll have to try them on for you, la mia bella ragazza," I purred in her ear. I smirked as I saw the shiver that ran down her back at my words, the little gasp that escaped her mouth, and the flush to her skin. "What does that mean?" she asked with wide, uncertain eyes, looking just as affected by me as I was by her.

"I guess you'll have to learn Italian to figure it out". I dodged the question easily, taking a tiny bit of joy in her annoyed expression.

Round one to me.

"I'll figure it out, eventually. I will," she promised.

I laughed as I leaned down to press a soft kiss on her cheek. A moment was all I allowed myself before I pulled back, unlatching the car and giving a mock bow as I opened the door for her.

"My lady," I winked at her and she broke free of the trance I'd sent her into, sending me an impressed look before she gracefully accepted her loss this round and scooted inside the vehicle. I ran to the other side, taking my seat beside her with a little grin as the car started up.

"Flirt," she huffed.

"Only for you," I flirted with a grin and though she turned away from me with a disbelieving look, I saw the small smile on her face through the window. I laughed, just happy to have her beside me once again.

I felt like I could breathe again, despite everything that had been happening with the family, the thoughts of a mole having sold us out and the Russians back from the dead once again. All of that was a 'future me' problem. Right now, all I had to focus on was the beautiful woman beside me.

It didn't take long to get the airstrip and the jet was waiting at the beginning of the runway, already loaded and ready to go at any time. I was glad I'd thought ahead as I watched Natalia's eyes widen at the scene as she stepped out of the car.

"Oh," She said rather blankly. "It's big."

"Have you been on a jet before?" I asked as I took her suitcase in hand, holding out my arm for her. She sent me a careful look, like she was debating something in her mind and a hint of doubt wormed its way into my heart.

The obvious answer here was no. After all, Natalia came from a relatively lower-income family. There was no way she'd been on a private jet, according to our resources but yet... why was it so difficult to answer?

"No." She shook her head, glancing up at the jet with a weird look. "I've been on a plane before but not a jet. Sorry, it's just a bit weird. I've never even seen one in person before and now I'm getting on one."

I breathed a sigh of relief in my mind, casting away the few shadows of doubt.

"Then let's go," I smirked, leading her up the ramp.

The jet was just as I remembered, and I was glad I decided on this model instead of the smaller one we'd taken earlier this year. The luxury was practically oozing from every leather chair and the bar of crystal glasses ready to be served. "Wow," she gasped, spinning around in a circle as she took everything in.

I handed her suitcase to the attendant, feeling a little nervous and a little proud as she eyed everything like it was a grand museum.

"It's gorgeous," she gushed.

I chuckled, feeling quite satisfied with myself as I led her to our seats, pouring us both a small drink before we buckled up and readied for take-off. I held her hand during the liftoff with the excuse that she might get scared and despite my plan of her getting frightened and jumping into my lap, it didn't happen.

She looked bored almost as she flipped through one of the magazines in front of us, drinking a gin and tonic like it was nothing and I swear to god, I fell in love a little bit more with her.

Landing was just as easy and soon enough, we were an hour outside of Positano and I finally got to introduce to her my baby.

"Wait a minute. Is that-" Natalia gasped upon seeing it as we descended from the jet. The bright cherry red coloring was as unmistakable as the car itself, and I puffed up my chest proudly, grinning like a loon as Natalia let go of my hand and rushed over to the car.

"The one and only," I chuckled happily.

She circled my 1961 Lincoln Continental convertible, the one featured in so many shows and movies. I'd seen it as a kid in a classic spy movie and I'd saved up for years to buy a crappy one about to be junked.

I couldn't even count how much money I'd poured into the car to get her breathing again, but I was proud of her.

"Is it yours?" she asked with wide eyes.

I nodded, flipping my sunglasses over my eyes as I opened up the passenger side door for her, the keys already in my hand.

"We've got about an hour left before we reach the villa. Ready for the ride of your life?" I smirked.

"Can I drive?" she asked with puppy dog eyes, and I chuckled.

"Maybe later," I reassured her and she huffed, taking her seat in the passenger side.

She trailed her fingers across the interior, the soft and plush leather, all custom. The car started below us, purring like a jungle cat ready to pounce and I caressed the wheel, happy to have it under my fingers again.

I didn't get many chances to drive it anymore as it was safer to be driven by armored vehicles. But this weekend, I wasn't the Don of the Valentinos.

I gazed at Natalia from the corner of my eye, smiling at her awed expression as the overhead protector slid down, exposing us to the bright warm light of the sun. She stretched her arms above her like a cat happy to be sunbathing, and I grinned.

Villa del Vita was the oldest villa in the city, and if I thought she was impressed with my convertible, she was even more in love with the Villa. The moment we pulled into the driveway, she gasped as if she had just seen the Mona Lisa step out of her painting.

It was quite picturesque with two spiral towers and a massive forefront covered in growing ivy. The trees and foliage around seemed to extend for miles in every direction and the balcony and bridge were directly over the ocean, bright and beautiful just like the woman beside me.

She stared at the villa open-mouthed, as if she couldn't believe her eyes, and I could only imagine what she must be feeling right now. I'd been born into the money and had seen more villas as beautiful as this one than I could count. I knew I was a rich kid and I had privilege beyond anyone else's wildest dreams. Even as an adult, the Don held a massive fortune and properties in the palm of his hands. But Natalia had none of that.

This had to be her first time seeing something this grand and glorious and to be honest, I was a bit nervous she might think it over the top. I was willing to spend a night with her in a motel if she wanted, but I also wanted to show her the world she'd never had the chance to see before.

I felt like spoiling her a little.

And by the awed look on her face as she gazed upon the villa, I had succeeded.