Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 549 -

*Tallon*

"I can do this," I thought to myself. "I can do this... oh, shit. What if I can't do this?"

For the love of God, how was it possible that I could hold a loaded gun to a person's head, but couldn't manage to maintain my cool in front of the woman I loved?

We took the beautiful scenic route through the city to get to the restaurant. As expected, one of the owners of the place greeted us at the door and brought us directly to our table in a private room that overlooked the natural majesty of the Apennine Mountains, which was decorated tastefully with candles and fresh flowers.

Our evening began with an aged bottle of wine and a few light pickings. Natalia was dazzled and couldn't get over the fantastic view that stood before us. The waiters were conscientious and perhaps just a bit too... attentive at times. Had my nervousness not been enough to deal with, my jealousy was sure to sabotage tonight's purpose.

At least three of our servers kept lingering in our private room just to steal a look at Natalia. It was beginning to get on my nerves.

"For fuck's sake, they're not even trying to be subtle about it," I thought angrily.

Of course, they were leering at her. How could they not? Who could blame them? She was a walking dream, an angel that had literally 'fallen' into my life.

From the moment we stepped into the restaurant, I could sense that every other man's attention was instantly drawn to her. Everyone who was working as well as present for their own romantic evening out, turned their heads to catch a quick glimpse.

I was almost beginning to regret getting her the dress and jewelry set, just because it was drawing too much attention to her. Natalia didn't need any help in making her look more beautiful.

I was not about to ruin this night just because I wasn't able to keep my emotions in check.

God, I felt childish. It was as if the grown man I'd become had stepped out of the room and left behind a young boy who was afraid of his own shadow. I couldn't fathom why I was so nervous.

Ever since she'd moved into the house, we'd spent countless nights together. We'd been in each other's company long enough to feel completely comfortable. There were no secrets, no fears. It was just us in our little world, safe from all worries and threats now that business with the Russians changed so immensely. Nothing-there was absolutely nothing that could have caused me to feel so agitated, and yet I was.

"Jesus, get a hold of yourself," I cursed.

I forced myself to take numerous deep breaths and replace my focus. Of course, none of that was easily achieved when I spotted one of our waiters peeking around the corner to sneak a glance at Natalia's side profile.

A part of me demanded that I get up from the table and remove the other man myself, but kept my composure in line.

Natalia must have noticed my uneasiness because a second later, she was reaching across the table to rest her hand over my own.

"Hey," she spoke softly. "Just ignore them. I do."

I let out a bashful chuckle. "Believe me, love. It's taking every nerve inside of me to not go for their throats."

She squeezed my hand. The sound of her laughter allowed my shoulders to relax.

"Well, now you know how it feels when we're out in public and literally every woman is staring openly at you," she pointed out.

My lips parted in shock. Suddenly, I felt a wild spark of arousal course through me. It never occurred to me that Natalia would ever feel something as trivial as jealousy. Surely she knew that these other women were not even a thought in my mind. There wasn't even a comparison whenever it came to her.

I brushed the pad of my thumb over the top of her hand and smiled. "I think I like you a little possessive," I said smugly.

Natalia playfully rolled her eyes and shared a look of amusement.

"I know I've been saying this since we got here, but thank you," she said. "Tonight has been perfect. I've loved every moment we've spent together."

Hearing her say this gave me the rush of confidence I didn't know I needed.

It was hard to believe that just a few months ago I had willingly walked into an ambush, without a single piece of protection. The chances of me walking out of that predicament alive were one out of a hundred. And still, I found this whole situation far more terrifying.

My mind was becoming my worst enemy. As each minute ticked by on the imaginary clock I'd set inside of my head, the list of questions was growing endless.

What if by the end of the night, I'd lose my nerve and fail to ask her? What if I did ask her, but she ended up saying no? What was I going to do if she said no?

It was not a pleasant thought to ponder, but it was certainly one that I needed to take into consideration. Our relationship was many things-conventional was not one of them. But I was willing and wanting to overlook everything that set the two of us apart because, deep down, I knew that we were perfect together.

Whatever fear that was rolling through me would just have to be suppressed until the end of the evening.

"I'm going to ask her at the end of dinner," I decided.

My nerves, thankfully, were beginning to calm down as our waiters brought out the next course. For a good while, the two of us fell into a comfortable silence as we ate. Aside from the irritating, persistent glance from the waiting staff, the food was exceptional.

For a moment I allowed my eyes to drift from Natalia to glance out the large window next to our table. The scenery was unmatched as the city below was starting to come to life with small lights filtering throughout. Granted there were multiple spots that were considered major tourist attractions in Tuscany, but I knew I wouldn't mind spending more time out here. The countryside was peaceful and the villa was tucked away for decent privacy.

It made me wonder if Natalia would be interested in staying for a longer period of time, maybe a few weeks as opposed to a few days?

Honestly, it almost felt surreal, sitting where we were together. A small smile curved the corner of my mouth.

To think, there was a time when I truly didn't believe that we would have another opportunity like this.

Natalia placed her fork down and reached for my hand once more. I was quickly pulled from the thoughts and turned to face her.

"Tell me what's on your mind," she said.

My smile deepened.

"Oh, just thinking about how beautiful this city is and wondering why I haven't made the time to come here more often with you," I answered. "And, also how there was a time when I didn't think any of this would be possible...." She took her bottom lip between her teeth and gently bit down. Her gaze dropped to our hands.

"I know what you mean. These last couple of days, my mind has been wandering back to when we first met here. It's hard to believe how much time has passed, and yet it all feels like it happened yesterday."

I nodded my head in agreement.

She couldn't have been more right.

"You're right," I agreed. "These past few months have been crazy as all hell, to say the least. But I can still picture that fateful day when I first saw you coming out of that tattoo parlor."

A slight blush touched her cheeks. She lowered her head down, almost as if she were embarrassed by the whole act she'd put on to capture my attention.

Surely she knew that I had forgiven all ill-intent that was wrapped around that time for us.

"Natalia. You need to know that I don't hold any negative emotion about how things were back then," I told her.

I knew that in certain cases, Natalia was still deeply bothered about the violent acts her family had made against my own. The deaths of many of my men prayed horribly on her mind even after the Zaytsevs and I worked out an arrangement. There were times when the matter bothered her so much that she'd clam up and try to brush me off.

I'd spent numerous nights trying to ease the guilt, wishing that I could just wash away the terrible memories from her mind completely. I blamed myself for the things I'd said back then about the situation, but I knew for a fact that Ivan added to her remorse as well.

"I know it's been a hair-raising past few months," I said. "But, let me just say that I wouldn't trade any of it if it meant losing you."

Natalia looked up from the table to replace me staring heavily into her stunning eyes. Her lips parted in surprise.

"Tallon."

I could hear the sharp tone of doubt edged in her voice. There was no chance I was going to allow this night to turn into a possible meltdown.

"You are beyond anything I have imagined in a person. You're kind, compassionate, and openly concerned about so many people that it constantly amazes me how all that emotion fits inside of you at times."

Her lips began to curl into a smile that made my heart skip a beat. I felt the tension in her hand ease ever so slightly.

I found my face reddening for a brief second. "I'll admit, it was your beauty that first caught my attention. As you literally fell into my life, I couldn't get that thought of you out of my head."

"I wish I hadn't played so hard to get," she giggled. "Even though it was expected of me to act a certain way, a lot of my distancing was due to my own guilt. Tallon, I never wanted to hurt you, or anyone else."

Her voice grew hushed, which almost made me jump from my chair to hold her in my arms. I hastily shook my head.

"I know that, Natalia. Please, you have nothing to feel sorry for. You are not your grandfather or your uncle you're your own person, and that's just one of the many reasons why I love you."

The corners of her eyes became speckled with tears as her smile remained in place on her perfect lips.

The servers went ahead and took our plates away when we finished dinner. For a short moment, Natalia got up to use the powder room. My hands rested on the table while I felt the outline of the ring box in my pocket.

By the time Natalis returned, the waiters brought out the final piece to our evening, and a Torta di Mele, a traditional Tuscan apple cake that was dusted with powdered sugar was placed in front of us.

My nerves were beginning to coil once more as I recalled the promise I made to myself earlier.

"Natalia?"

"Yes?"

My voice sounded a bit distant at first. "There's something I need to ask you."

She nodded her head and waited for me to speak. But I didn't.

Instead, I got up from my seat and shortened the distance between us. I slowly lowered myself till I stood on one knee before her.

Her eyes widened in realization of what was to come. I gripped the box tightly in my hand.

"Natalia, you mean the absolute world to me. Every moment I spend with you is a gift and one that I do not wish to ever part with. I can't imagine my life without someone as brilliant and loving as you. I love you now and always." The next words that I spoke came out in a hushed tone of voice.

"Will you marry me?"