Chapter 21 - My Rose

                                    

                                          
Romeo's POV
                          
That word rattled around in my head and I couldn't comprehend that she really wanted me to stay with her, I didn't understand but if I did stay would I be able to control myself? I've done it once I walked away but a second time, I don't think I'd be able to and I don't want to. "I don't think I'd be able to control myself." I told her the truth, that's what your meant to do to gain trust right? I didn't turn back to face her I couldn't make it any harder for myself if I saw her beautiful face. "Okay" her voice was nothing but a whisper, but the sound of sadness in her voice was profound. 
                          
I gulped hard and let go of the door handle, already regretting not leaving but my need for her was too great to disappoint her. "I'll stay, but you have got to put some more clothes on before I wrap those sexy legs around me and take you against this wall." again, being honest with her and letting her have a naughty insight to what I'm thinking. Her high pitch squeak before she run off answered my request and sounded like she were shocked and didn't realise she was only in tiny shorts. That made me chuckle to myself, I pulled out my phone to tell the laughing hyenas to fuck off I'd see them back home later. Maybe even tomorrow but didn't add that to the text message I sent Enzo and quickly returned my phone on back into my pocket, flicking the switch to silence the volume. I'm sure I'll have a few suggestive messages to look at later from him and Timo. 
                          
I walked over to the gift that's was now abandoned in the middle of the living room, she didn't get around to opening it yet, which suited me fine. "Soo... What's in the box?" she was closer than I expected when she spoke. I didn't even hear her return, no wonder she's ranked the top assassin in the world. "You can look later." I informed her but she didn't listen to me, I clenched my jaw and my nose twitched this was a new experience for me, someone not doing as they're told. She picked up one of her new daggers and sliced the tape open that was holding the box closed and sliced it open. She removed the tissue paper that was lightly concealing a mannequin with an outfit on, she lightly traced her fingers over the material and lifted a coat from the box and immediately put it on. 
                          
The coat was long and black with two vertical lines of three gold buttons on the chest. She twirled in the coat giggling to herself, "I used to have one exactly like this when I was a little girl. It was my favourite." she admitted with a smile on her lips. "I know." Is all I answered, she looked confused at me but made no response as she took off the coat and placed it over the edge of the box. She slightly leaned in the box again and pulled off a white t-shirt, it was nothing special to look at it was just plain white, she put it over the coat on the edge of the box and reached for the next garment. 
                          
She had to lean into the box to get it, giving me moments of the perfect view, I eyed her ass hungrily but was snapped out of my thought, "Stop looking at my ass!" she said playfully. I closed my eyes and tried to think of anything but her ass. When I reopened my eyes, she had the pair of maroon red jeans in her hands, she quickly eyed the sizing of them and looked a little confused as to why they were her exact size and leg length but put them with the coat and top. The black ankle boots in the box showed that the outfit was complete, except for a smaller black box that had red ribbon round it and a bow on top. 
                          
Well this is either going to go well or she's going to hit me, I didn't know which, but I smirked anyway. She caught my expression and couldn't contain her curiosity. "Why are you smirking at this box?" I placed my hand over my mouth to stop myself from laughing and placed the other around my chest holding myself together. "Open it and find out." I teased. The boots were dropped to the floor already forgotten about and she placed the box down, balancing it over the opposite corner of the original box, pulling the bow and ribbon off but then stopped.
                          
Carmela's POV
                          
This whole experience of gifts were weird to me but I'm not complaining at free clothes and boots, but I did wonder how he got my sizes perfect. I suppose he could have guessed as he did have his hands all over my body in the club, I blushed a little at the thought. His demeanour changed when I picked up this black box with a red ribbon and bow on it, there's something in this box that I don't think I'm going to like, but I really needed to find out. He was holding back a laugh but there was something else I couldn't place. I started to pull off the ribbon and bow and suddenly a realisation hit me like a ton of bricks. 
                          
My head snapped up and I walked over to the sofa where the envelopes were sitting. I reopened the one marked 4 and looked at the three photographs again, "Is this the exact replica of what I were wearing on this day?" He nodded looking me in the eyes with not one bit of deceit on his face. "So, the boy in the pictures, is you?" I pushed. "Yes." He said but didn't give me any more details. I took a minute to absorb his words and actions now, he's been telling the truth this whole time. I don't understand though. My grandfather has told me for years that he was the one that killed my family. Did he betray or deceived them and pretended to be my friend? These things I had to work out and wrap my mind around them, but not now. Now I had to keep him on side and learn as much information as I can but keep my guard well and truly up. I couldn't trust him, but my heart already did, it's weird and I can't explain it but a part of me just did. 
                          
I looked over at him while he watched me expressionlessly, I gave my best smile to him and went back to the task of opening the black box. The red ribbon and bow were already discarded, so I just had to lift the lid. More tissue paper was in the way of me finding out what was in the box that made him stifle a laugh before, I moved it out the way to reveal sheer dark red laced underwear. My eyes widened in surprise and I was slightly embarrassed that he had bought me lingerie. It was so pretty and sexy, far sexier than anything I own. I could see in my peripheral vision that he had moved closer to me, looking lustfully over my body. I bit my lower lip again but didn't move. He placed his hand on the small of my back leaving goose bumps where he laid his hand, and I stopped breathing, not wanting my body to give me away. "Indossalo per me." My god, his Italian accent made me weak at the knees, but his tone sounded like a command. "Wha... What?" I stammered out really nervous now. He leaned closer to me and I could feel his breath on my ear. "I said wear it for me." I inhaled sharply and gulped loudly. Surely, he doesn't mean now but I had to ask. "Now?" a low moan sounded from within his throat. "Today, tomorrow, now. Whichever. Just know it might not be left on your body long when you do." I didn't know what to say. What do you say to something like that? "Am I making you nervous my Rose?" He knew dam well that he was, he could see and most likely feel it in my body as he pulled me closer to his well-muscled body.
                          
My mind was at a total loss for what to do, my eyes fixated on the wall in front of me and all I could feel was his steady and strong heartbeat under my hand that rested on his chest. It felt like an eternity that we had stayed in this position, but it was probably mere minutes. I needed to but some distance between us, I needed to think straight. "How did you know my size in lingerie?" I asked in a soft voice. He smirked releasing me a little from his grip. "Your sizes are logged on your work record that Fiona holds." I rolled my eyes, I should have known.
                          
The name he called me thought started sinking in. Rose. I know that's my middle name, but no one has ever called me that before but then why was it vaguely familiar. "Why did you call me my Rose?" I said looking at him from under my long lashes. "Perché la tua 'mia rosa'" his voice was velvet in my ear, but I looked confused at him. "I called you that for years. Don't you remember?" his heart sped up while he anxiously waited for my reply. "No." his face fell, and he fully let go of me. I didn't like that, but I can't understand why but again the feeling of familiarity niggled at my brain. I'm so confused. "I don't understand why it seems so familiar though." I said just wanting to understand I can't keep doing this the not knowing is the worst thing. 
                          
He exhaled exasperatedly. "Come here." His voice was so kind and loving, as he pulled me into an embrace again, wrapping one arm fully around my waist and the other on the back of my head guiding it gently to rest on his chest and rested his head on top of mine. It was so soothing to listen to his heartbeat and feel his warmth envelop me. I felt safe, the kind of safe only someone that truly cares for you can give. My arms slowly wrapped around his waist and deepened my nuzzle onto his chest. "I'd never lie to you about who I am and who you are to me. I know I'm asking for far too much when I ask you to trust me to never hurt you." His words made me melt into him further and squeezed him tightly before loosening my hold and asking him "I still don't understand. Why did you call me your rose?" he just shushed me and pulled me back against his chest.
                          
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Indossalo per me – Wear it for me.
                          
Perché la tua 'mia rosa' – Because you are 'my rose'.