Relationships have never been my thing. My father believes women are objects to be used for any man's desire. I, myself never thought of them as objects to do as I please. My nonna made sure from a young age that I understood consent and abuse are never going to be tolerated. But there's still that nagging voice in the back of my mind desperately wanting to be everything my father wants. To finally make him proud. I may seem harsh but I'd never lay a hand on a woman or touch her sexually unless she wanted me to.

On the other hand if she's an enemy, that's another story... nonna has no control then, much to her displeasure. The female won't be sexually assaulted but she will be tortured for information and killed. That's what comes with the job and if you can't handle it, then you're dead.

Now I'm stepping into waters I've never dared once to venture into. There's something about Scarlett that draws me in. She's the siren and I'm the lonely man she's luring into the depths. At the beginning I thought it was just sexual frustration but it's not. I'm still not sure what the feelings I have are but I want to learn. I need Scarlett. I need her by my side, I need her when I wake up in the morning and I'm going to makeup every mistake I've made.

Although I now have a cut across the bridge of my nose and my foots been shot, I've cleaned up as much as I can. I want to look good for her.

Standing in front of her door I feel... nervous? I never feel nervous. What the fuck is wrong with me? I gulp as beads of sweat start to form on my brow. What if she changes her mind? What if she realises she's too good for me?

I take a deep breath and raise my hand to knock against her door. There's only one way to find out. I knock three times and wait.

I can hear the mumbling of Scarlett and my sister from behind the door. A moment later the door swings open and I'm greeted with the sight of my angel.

She's in a gorgeous white dress, she looks ethereal. For a moment I am speechless, completely captivated by her beauty. I try to speak but it takes me a moment "You look.... So beautiful."

A light pink blush is painted across her cheeks. "Thank you." She mumbles looking at the ground. I stare at her captivated until my sister catches my eye.

Bianca shoves Scarlett forward "oh my god! Get going already!" I glare at my sister. She always has to ruin a good moment.

"Shall we?" I offer my arm as I've decided to ditch the crutches to complete my sleek look. The doctor seems to be against my choice but with a quick threat he backs off. Scarlett doesn't question my missing crutches as she gratefully takes my arm and we leave Bianca behind... thank goodness.

She walks and I hobble down the stairs, the only sound is her heels clicking echo through the house. I made sure everyone took the night off or spent it in their rooms.

I take notice of her confused face as we walk past the front door and enter the kitchen. "I know you expected us to go out but you told me that if I messed up again, I'd have to come up with some form of meaningful gesture. You clearly aren't impressed by my money so I thought tonight I'd make you dinner." She seats herself on a stool and looks over the ingredients placed on the counter.

"What's on the menu tonight chef?" She asks with a large smile on her face.

"Well." I move around the counter so she's facing my left after I wash my hands. "For the entrée, we will be having caprese salad, the main is Nonnas famous spaghetti al pomodoro and for desert tiramisu that nonna already made as she believes I'd royally screw it up." She laughs which brings a little smile to my face.

I grab the pasta dough that I made with nonna this afternoon to save some time. Nonna is brutal in the kitchen, thank goodness she's home right now, otherwise I'd be crying within five minutes. I unwrap the dough from the clingfilm suddenly feeling the pressure of having to show off my lack of skills. Yes I am an Italian who barely knows how to cook. My father found it silly, "that's what a woman's for!" nonna still tried to teach me but with all the training I'd be completely exhausted. But tonight! I am going to do my best.

I proceed to cut the dough into four even pieces as nonna's written instructions state. I've tried to hide the the note behind some of the larger ingredients so it looks like I know what I'm doing, so far I don't think Scarletts noticed.

I begin rolling the dough out, it's the machine where I actually turn the dough into pasta that I'm nervous for. While I'm rolling the dough out, Scarlett hops off of her seat and moves behind me. I hear her rummaging through what sounds like the pots and pans. I don't bother turning around as it's clear she knows what she's doing better than I do.

A moment or two later I have all four pieces rolled flat and Scarletts sat back down. "I've just put some water on the stove for the pasta." she answers my non verbal question.

"I'm the one who's supposed to be doing all the work. You should be relaxing." I lightly scold her.

"I like to help!" she's quick to defend. "Plus I saw the note with nonnas instructions... you weren't slick, but it's a sweet gesture." my cheeks heat up a little.

I reach for the pasta machine "does that mean you know how to use this? I admit, nonna did attempt to teach me earlier but unfortunately the information did not stick." she laughs yet again, I seem to be good at that, I think I'll take her laughter as a win.

"yes, we can do it together."

After she washes her hands she reaches for the machine, quickly looks at Nonnas notes and does some weird magic shit.

"Ok, grab one of the pieces and you thread it right through here." She points at the long thin gap at the top of the device.

It takes me about threes attempts but I eventually get it. I place the pasta through the machine while she catches the flattened dough coming out the end.

We do this and then change the setting so the pasta is finally... pasta. We place it in the boiling water to cook. Scarlett's put me onto the caprese salad while she's making the sauce for the pasta. I guess my expertise only resorts to cutting ingredients.

We work in silence. It feels very domestic which is a nice change from my lifestyle. I plate up the caprese salad and dribble the balsamic dressing over top. My mouth waters.

"It looks good!" Scarlett moves to my side looking down at the dish. I feel a little proud... she likes it!

"Alright, go set the table, the sauce is almost done so I'll be out in a minute." I like this confident side of Scarlett. She's being more authentic. I like that she feels she can be herself around me but I do enjoy the little girl I get to look after and protect.

Following her instructions I take the salad out to the dining room where I've set up some candles and flowers. Nonna said she'd love it, I hope she's right.

I pour us some wine that'll compliment the pasta. The double doors open and in comes Scarlett holding two dishes filled with pasta and sauce. She places the dishes on each table setting. I'm at the head of the table as normal and Scarlett is to my left. I didn't choose the seating to initiate my power by being at the head of the table but to be closer to her without having to consistently turn my head to communicate.

I make sure to pull out her chair for her as it's the gentlemanly thing to do. I take my own seat as we dig into the caprese salad first. "You did great! It tastes amazing." She compliments.

"Well I don't believe I could mess up cutting tomato's and mozzarella."

"Give yourself some credit. The balsamic ratio is perfect." She's definitely reaching but I appreciate the comment all the same.

We quickly finish the salad and move on to the main dish. As soon as the first forkful of pasta and rich tomato sauce enters her mouth she moans tossing her head back.

I clear my throat as I take my own fork and twirl the spaghetti. She's completely unaware of what she's doing to me. This is the only woman who could completely arouse me from a singular moan.

"Thank you for helping me with the food. I'm sure I would've blown something up or given us both food poisoning."

She shrugs "it was fun! I've always loved cooking, especially with the wide range of ingredients you have and oh my god! The kitchen is gorgeous." Her eyes light up as she talks about it.

"Well you can use it anytime. This is your home now too." She smiles.

"Thank you."

Sometimes I feel guilty for taking Scarlett away from her home. Not her father of course but from everything she once knew and bringing her into the mafia. But on the other hand, isn't she better off? I mean she now has a loving family who will protect her at all costs. I try not to think about it too much as I feel very conflicted but seeing her, I wonder if I did the right thing.

After we finished dinner and our conversation over the next dog breed she wants (a golden retriever) I take our dishes into the kitchen and cut us each a slice of Nonnas tiramisu. Coming back out I see Scarlett leaning back into the chair.

"Full?" I ask placing the plate and fork in front of her.

"Never. It's Nonnas tiramisu! I have to eat it." I love the relationship that's blossomed between them. Although it can be a pain in my ass, Scarlett deserves someone like nonna who will understand her on levels I, Bianca and definitely Leo, may not.

Digging in she moans again goddammit! Is she messing with me or does she genuinely have no idea what she does to me.

"You good there?" I look up at her offering a reassuring smile.

"Yes. Just, thinking."

"Hmm. Eat your food or I'll do it for you."

"You looked pretty full when I came out with desert." I point out. She waves her hand in front of her face swatting an invisible fly.

"Oh please. If nonna made it, I will eat it no matter how full I may feel."

"If you throw up, don't you dare aim at me."

"What will happen if I do?" A dark spark of curiosity sparkles in her eyes.

My voice comes out low a gruff "Believe me principessa, you'll find out eventually."

Subconsciously she bites her lip lower lip. It takes everything in me to not reach over and pull it out from you in between her teeth. I don't want to be too forward but I'm struggling to not just take her over my knee.

We stare at each other for a moment longer. The sexual tension couldn't be cut with a chainsaw. Her eyes move to the rest of the tiramisu on her plate. She continues to eat as if nothing just happened.

I follow her lead not wanting to make her uncomfortable.

We finish our desert and clean up the table along with the dishes. I place the the dishes suitable for the dishwasher inside while Scarlett washes the pots and pans.

Once everything's clean she grabs her purse and I walk her up to her room. Standing outside her door we're exceptionally close. "Thank you for tonight. It was a lot of fun." She whispers. I can see she's beginning to get slightly nervous. I won't push my luck. Not tonight.

"Anytime Principessa. I enjoyed myself too, now go to bed and sleep well." I press a kiss to her forehead.

"Y-you mean you're not going to come in?" She looks disappointed.

"You want me to? I have no expectations. This is completely controlled by what you want." I do not want her to think that I expect sex out of this date.

Her fingers lightly trace down my arm and slowly slip into my fingers. "I want you. I need you." She whispers seductively. I'm in heaven. There's no one better, not because of sex but because every single detail about her is perfect.

She opens her bedroom door and pulls me inside.