Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
With his right hand, he points to the page. His other arm is wrapped around me, holding me close, caressing me, as he says the most beautiful things to me. Words he wrote just for me.
When I am not with you, my heart aches with longing
But the pain is worth the joy of your presence
When he reaches the end, he brings his lips gently to mine, like I’m the most cherished thing in the world. I’ll never get used to the passionate way he kisses me, and now, following the poem, I’m nearly overwhelmed with emotion.
After several blissful minutes, Matteo pulls away. “Dani?”
“Hmmm?” My head is fuzzy, somewhere off in a cloud of lust and longing.
“Will you be my Valentine?” A quiet chuckle accompanies his question, but then he follows with a much more serious one. “Actually, I’ve been wondering if you are ready to make a choice between Fiero and me.”
My body reacts as if he’s dumped a bucket of cold water on me. I’ve been dreading this question, and it’s one I’ve been asking myself almost daily, failing every time to find an answer.
His grin falls when he sees my hesitation. “Dani?” His eyes search mine as my stomach twists into a tight knot.
“Matteo … I …”
“You choose Fiero?”
I shake my head. “No. No, that’s not it. I can’t choose. I like both of you a lot.” Too much, a voice inside my head warns.
His face brightens to a degree. “Okay. I understand, but I had hoped you would be ready to make a choice. We can’t continue this way forever.”
I feel like I’m being greedy, but I don’t know who in my position would be able to make a choice. They’re both such wonderful men.
Maybe if someone didn’t like academic types, they’d have an easy time choosing Fiero. But I love Matteo’s brain, and the patient, caring way he has of helping students learn. I also love how quietly reserved he is, in contrast to the fire that burns just beneath his surface.
And maybe if a woman liked clean-cut, business types, she wouldn’t be interested in Fiero, but I envy his creative passion and his lust for life – and his lust for me. He’s a man who goes after what he wants, and that’s so sexy.
“Please don’t ask me to choose today,” I say.
“No, you’re right. Sorry. It’s your birthday. But I just thought …” He lets his voice trail off and finishes his thought instead by squeezing my thigh. I know he’s thinking of our encounter in his office earlier. So am I.
“Dinner’s ready.” Fiero’s loud call comes from the kitchen. It’s not his usual style to yell from another room. Maybe he’s afraid to come in and find Matteo and me in an intimate act.
The dining table is lit with candles, and in the center there’s an antipasto platter that’s a work of art in itself. Fiero has assembled an arrangement of olives, meats, cheeses, and vegetables that’s almost too attractive to eat.
Matteo pours us each a glass of wine and raises a toast. “To Daniela, with many wishes for a happy birthday.”
“To a most beautiful woman on her birthday,” Fiero says, clinking his glass to mine.
“Thank you both. You’ve made today so special.” Best birthday ever.
After the appetizers, Fiero disappears into the kitchen for a short while and returns with a homemade pizza in a large, rectangular pan.
“My favorite! You made this? It looks so good.”
He gives a small shrug. “It will be okay. For good pizza, you have to come to Italy.”
“That would be nice,” I say lightly as I hold out my dish for an offered slice.
The pizza, with fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, and herbs, is delicious, and though I enjoy it, I can’t help but notice an undercurrent of tension between the men that was never there before.
Fiero’s tone is clipped when he asks Matteo to pass the pepper. Matteo’s usual talk about school is almost nonexistent, and Fiero doesn’t engage in the conversation the way he usually would.
Today changed things.
It feels like a clock is ticking now. I’m going to have to make a decision soon, and choose one of the brothers so this love triangle doesn’t ruin their relationship. But, assuming I can make a choice, what happens next? I can’t imagine coming over to hang out, cuddling with one brother while the other is nearby. These happy dinners with the three of us will surely end.
A poly relationship never particularly appealed to me, but I understand it now. It seems like the best solution when you fall in love with two people.
Wait – love?
I’m struggling with my thoughts when Fiero brings a cake to the table. There’s a single candle burning in the center, surrounded by strawberry slices decorating the white icing. “Torta alla panna, for the birthday girl.”