CRUORE:

Literally means 'flowing blood.'

"It's late, have you eaten?" Valerius asked as he pecked my lips once more. I shook my head 'no'. "Why?" He said, brushing my hair out of my face.

"I was waiting for you," I whispered. Valerius lifted me up bridal style and carried me outside the office. "Where are we going and why did you lift me up?" I asked as my hands hooked around his neck.

"Somewhere special." Valerius didn't answer my other question and kept walking.

"But I can walk by myself," I said. Valerius stopped and looked at me before placing me down on the ground. As soon as my foot connected itself with the ground, my legs felt like jelly and were shaky. Valerius raised his eyebrows, signalling me to walk. The little bastard was finding it funny.

I walked a bit but my legs gave up on me. I was about to fall but a pair of firm hands clung on to my waist. "As I said, dolce, let me take care of you." I pouted but he pecked my lips, lifting me up bridal style again.

Valerius opened his car, placing me in the passenger's seat and doing my seat belt. I kissed his cheek as he clipped my seat belt in place. Valerius smiled and closed my door before getting in himself. He started his car up and since it was quite chilly he turned the heating on.

After a while, Valerius pulled up to a small restaurant, located near town. My eyes were glued on the beautiful decorations that I didn't notice Valerius had opened the door and offered me his hand. "It's more pretty on the inside, am- dolce." He said. Was he about to call me amore?

I took his hand and Valerius closed the door, locking the car before heading inside with me. Valerius opened the door and let me enter first. I smiled at his sense of chivalry. Valerius snaked his hand around my waist, holding me close to him.

"Buonasera signor e signora?" The hostess said, her eyes literally dilated upon seeing Valerius. She was blushing and putting her hair back while looking at him. "Lamo-" The hostess looked at us quizzically as Valerius was quick to interrupt me. "Santis." Valerius pulled me close by the waist as I gulped.

"Uh, table for two?" Valerius nodded and hummed a yes. "Ok, follow me." As the hostess walked forward, she swayed her hips, presumably to impress Valerius. I rolled my eyes and we both followed. "Why did you say Santis?" I whispered.

"Tigre, what's wrong with having me changing your last name to Santis?" He chuckled, kissing the side of my head. Keeping quiet, I bit the inside of my cheek, thinking about the of 'Shira de Santis' replaying in my head. I really shouldn't be as Valerius and I aren't even dating or anything, we're just... I'm not sure.

We sat down, near a small aquarium, I watched how the cute goldfishes had swum toward us and moved there tiny mouths. "Just call one of us and we'll take your order." The hostess said I could tell by 'one of us' she meant her as she played an innocent look to Valerius. I smiled and nodded and honestly speaking fake smiling was the best thing to do.

After the hostess left, I took my time looking at the homely restaurant. A piece of faint music playing in the background as only a few couples mainly elderly people were chatting. The beautiful painting of landscapes that were trapped in gold frames, fitted perfectly with the red Italian made chairs.

"It's beautiful here," I said out of the blue. "It is," Valerius said staring at the fishes as they swam in a harmonious dance. I picked up my menu and checked through the list of mouth-watering dishes. After some time, I chose my desired dish. "Ready?" Valerius asked I nodded and waited.

"Buonasera signor e signora, what would you like to eat?" The waiter happily spoke, looking at me. "I would like two 'Pasta Con Pomodoro e Basilico' with some 'Bruschetta' please." Valerius cleared his throat before answering, grabbing the waiter's attention. "And drinks..." He looked up at me again.

"Wine and some water please," I said, smiling. "Anything for you, signora. Is that all?" He had his eyes fixated on me again but I looked at Valerius who was clenching his fists so hard that his knuckles were white. "That's all, you may leave," Valerius said abruptly, handing over the menu. With that being said, he did.

"What?" Valerius asked, noticing the small chuckle that escaped. "Nothing," I lied, still smiling. Valerius mumbled something to himself while undoing his cufflinks and rolled his sleeves up to his elbows, exposing his inked forearms.

Both of his arms rested on the table lazily, my legs clenched together as I reminisced the thought of his hands on me. Unconsciously, my fingers began to trace each and every intricate tattoo on his forearm. "Why did you get this one?" I asked, my fingers tracing the burning ace card.

"The ace means good luck, but being a Don, luck has nothing to do with it. It's about strategy." Valerius said. My fingers travelled to his tattooed knuckles to his palm where he had locked his fingers with mine. "What about your tattoo? The one below your perky..."

"I know where my tattoo is Val, no need to let everyone know," Valerius smirked and chuckled. "If I'm not going to lie, I was slightly tipsy and got it done." Valerius raised his eyebrows, surprised. "Not one of my best moments," I said, rubbing my forehead.

Valerius chuckled, he opened his mouth to say something, but the waiter and two other waitresses came with our food. "Here's your food and the drinks, signora. Enjoy." He smiled. "If you need anything, let me know." He winked. I smiled back. The waitresses blushed when they drooled over the man in front of them.

They all left us in peace but it seemed something was boiling within a certain someone. He eyed the blonde-haired waiter like a hawk eyeing its prey. "I swear to God, I will kill him and have his head presented in a silver platter," Valerius spoke with clenched fists and exposed veiny arms.

"Aww, is Valval feeling jealous?" I teased. Valerius frowned and narrowed his eyes into slits. "Shira, I suggest you to stop teasing now, else I will make sure to shut you up." He growled, leaning forward, interlocking his fingers.

"And how would you exactly do that?" I asked, mirroring him. Valerius pulled my head closer by grabbing my chin forward. "By bending you over this table and fucking you so hard that your loverboy will know whose name you scream." He said before continuing eating his food.

Hey my loves, sorry for the late update, I'm trying, I swear, but my mocks are coming up in January and I need to work my flat ass off. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, let me know your thoughts. Have a wonderful day or good night sleep xx

What season baby are you?

I'm a summer baby.