Chapter 14

Kate POV

Unfortunately, we lost netball but only by 1 goal.

Landon was true to his word, the guys drove in a different car and kept their distance. I didn’t even see them in the stadium.

After netball, we went and got burgers and went back to Kylies. She lives with Nathan and Mia, who were also on the team so we had a Congo line of cars to their apartment with the guards at the back.

I had sent Landon and Tim, one of the guards on tonight, a text telling them what was going on.

We had just got comfortable in their lounge room with our food and my nerves were through the roof.

“So I kind of have something to tell you” they all looked up. “I met someone in Sydney and he has convinced me to move to Italy with him, so I will be leaving in 4 weeks.” Spewed out in one breath.

Nathan let out a snort laugh thing in disbelief, Mia stared at me and Kylie being Kylie “What the f**k! I need to know everything! Spill!!!”

“Well, on my second night in Sydney I was sitting in the lounge doing some work and had been watching these gorgeous guys when they invited me to sit with them,” yep going well so far.

“How gorgeous? Do you have photos?” Mia, of course.

“Hey! I’m right here babe”, Nathan mocked hurt.

“Yeah, yeah, a girl is allowed to look just not touch, you do all the time like the slut from work the other day. Don’t get me started”, his hands were instantly up in defeat. Oh, I will so have to get that story later.

I grabbed my phone and brought up a photo of Landon and I.

“Well, this is the guy I am seeing and moving to Italy with.” I tried to hand the phone to Mia but Kylie snatched it quickly. “His name is Landon”.

“Holy f**k! No wonder! He is not just hot, he is GQ magazine hot”, Mia almost screamed.

“You look happy” Kylie almost whispered and looked at me still with scepticism in her eyes.

“What does he do?” Nathan asked while rolling his eyes at the women ogling the photo of Landon.

“Entrepreneur. He owns a few businesses all over the world.”

“Rich?”

“Yes but…”

“Yeah we know, that’s not you! You know I am just worried because you fall in love easily. I don’t want you to be pulled along and left stranded in a country somewhere. What are you going to do for a job?” Kylie sat back watching me after handing my phone to Mia who had it snatched off her by Nathan, who was now doing everything he could to keep it out of her reach.

And this is why Kylie was my best friend. She knows me and she knew that I do love the idea of love, but I was also sceptical due the normal 2 to 3 month relationships before the man came up with an excuse and disappeared. She knew there had to be a reason I would say yes.

“He has given me an option to work at any of his businesses doing whatever I want. He organised a proper employment contract. I just have to work out what I want and he will change it. I really have to work that out with him too” yeah I did.

“Your apartment?”

“Already cleaned out and paid out for the rest of my lease.” I gave a nervous shrug.

“You know I have to meet him” she smirked and crossed her arms.

“I knew you would say that, tomorrow or Friday?”

She nodded. “Friday. Now, you are gorgeous and all, but how the hell did you get him?”

We all cracked up laughing, as Mia was now climbing Nathan like a tree for my phone. She was not letting up.

I of course, changed some bits, like all the guards or friends were sitting with him at a table in the corner.

It was good talking to her and telling her everything… that I could.

“So he has a biting fetish. He’s definitely a control freak”, Mia laughed as she finally went through all the photos on my phone.

“Most articles say that people who get rich do so because they aren’t just smart, they are obsessive and have issues with control.”

“Some of his money and businesses were inherited but he is definitely a control freak.”

“Is he a dom?”

“A what?”

She rolled her eyes. “A dominant. Does he want you to be submissive to him?”

“He hasn’t asked me and if he hasn’t worked it out there is no way I would do that. I find it degrading. If others like it, then go for it, but I definitely don’t understand it.”

Nathan and Mia suddenly looked a bit uncomfortable. “No way”. I turned to them. “Which one is the dom?”

“I’m not fully, but I do play a bit…” Mia tried to shrug it off.

“Holy f*****g hell! Under the same roof and I didn’t know! Tell me everything!” Kylie practically screamed. I didn’t see this coming either!

Finally, I left just after 11.

That had gone better than I thought and finding about Mia and Nathan’s little games certainly made it more interesting. It made me wonder though, is Landon a dom? Is that something he was holding back and something that would be an issue later on?

I made it home to find Landon and Louie in the office.

“Sorry to hear you lost. They said you played well.” Landon smiled, moving his chair back with his arms out, inviting me into his lap.

“Did they now?” Shaking my head, I should have known. “Do you have any plans Friday night? Can Kylie, Mia and Nathan come to tea?”

I sat in his lap and wrapped my arms around him, giving him a quick peck.

He nodded “7 o’clock. Also, tomorrow you have a zoom call with Ma at 8.”

The famous Ma! Here we go! “Done. Now I need to go shower as I am all sweaty.”

A gleam appeared in his eye as he picked me up and walked out of the room still holing me bridal style. Oh yeah, I want to ask him about that as well.

“You can’t carry me up the stairs. You will fall and break your neck.”

“I can and I will” he tightened my grip as he kept walking. Time to see if he is ticklish.

I ran my hand down his chest then diverted to under his arm. I could feel him tense as I started my assault.

“Don’t!” he tried to growl, but I could feel him tense as he tried to hold in the laugh.

OH YEAH!

“Well you better put me down then”, I kept going, but increasing speed with one hand as my other hand around his neck started to tickle the back of his neck.

He squirmed “I will drop you.”

“No, you will put me down. Big difference.”

“Not if you keep that up.”

“Is the big bad mafia man ticklish?”

I quickly held on by the arm around his neck as he dropped my legs. I steadied myself and sprinted up the stairs with him in hot pursuit.

“You are in big trouble” he playfully growled behind me, pinching my a*s.

I tried to cover my a*s as I ran as fast I could up these horrible stairs. My legs were unfortunately still jelly thanks to Netball.

As soon as I made it to the top, he grabbed me and flipped me so I was now over his shoulder. Of course, he couldn’t help himself as he slapped my a*s.

“Hey”, I reached down and slapped his back, which he of course, returned but harder “Brat”, I called, as I started to tickle him again.

He squirmed as he snacked my a*s again, growling “Stop that!”

“You stop that first”. I just got out before I was thrown on the bed with him instantly on top of me pinning my hands above my head. Man he was strong!

He looked down on me with the look of a predator that has just caught his prey and f**k it was hot! I have never been this horny in my life!

“Are you a Dom?” my mouth blurted out before my brain could scream no to it.

He stopped kissing my neck and looked up into my eyes, searching. He chuckled.

“Some call me Dom as the boss, but I guess you mean as in Dominant?”

I nodded.

“I have tried it and didn’t mind it at times, but no” he watched as I let out a big sigh of relief, “you were worried!” he said rhetorically as he chuckled.

“Well yeah. You are a bit of a control freak and all that really isn’t my type of thing.”

“You haven’t seemed to mind me being in control.”

“Because it is different to the whole dominatrix thing, well mostly.”

His hand came up and stroked my face as his other one still held both my hands above my head. “You will tell me if I ever cross a line?”

“Of course! And no you haven’t before you ask”, I could see the relief in his eyes as he lent down and kissed me.

Man, it was not just a k**s! It was him pouring his feelings into me through his mouth.

I melted into the mattress as I kissed him back. When he kissed me like this it felt like everything was going to be OK. Like everything was right and this was where I was supposed to be.

His phone rang, pulling us out of our bubble. He g*****d and pulled it out of his pocket.

“I’m sorry I have to take this. Go have a shower”, he quickly pecked my lips before getting up and walking out.

I felt better, lighter. There is still so much more I have to learn about this man and it was still crazy how fast it was all going but I felt more in control.

I was able to go play netball, I was able to have burgers and sit down with my friends. I still go to work and get lunch in the food court.

I still did have my life. There were now just a few changes like the man that took up my every thought. A man who told me tonight that he loved me!

After 1 week, he loves me!

Is that possible? Seriously, is it?!

What he described was love at first sight, but it wasn’t really at first sight. I don’t believe in love at first sight, l**t yes! A lot of people get l**t and love confused. They are both very powerful emotions!

I like Landon a lot and I am definitely in l**t with him, but love? No, definitely not yet.

I couldn’t help but go over it all in my head as I had my shower and got ready for bed.

Landon came in as I had just finished putting my clothes out for the next day.

“I’m sorry Amore, I need to go out. Get some sleep and I will be back before morning” he gave me a quick peck.

“OK, be safe”. I wrapped my arms around him and held him tight as he tried to step back. I couldn’t help the smirk on my face.

He rolled his eyes at me, then shook his head, giving me a deeper k**s. He knew what I wanted.

“Now you may pass” I let him go and hoped into bed.

“Buonanotte amore mio” he smiled and started to walk out the door.

“What does that mean” he just chuckled and kept walking. “Brat!”

I quickly got out my phone and googled what it could be.

Landon didn’t come back last night so I sent him a quick text before I got in the shower saying good morning. I know not to worry, but I also know I would be almost into panic stations if I didn’t hear back from him before I leave for work.

Luckily, I did get a reply with a simple Buonanotte amore mio. Of course, I quickly googled it. Ah, so that can be both good morning and good night.

So I googled be safe my love and sent it Stai al sicuro amore mio.

So proud of myself, I left for work with a big smile on my face. Yeah, stupid I know, but hey I’m allowed to be proud of myself for something so simple.

The day went by quickly with me worrying about tonight’s zoom call with THE PARENTS! No remember they aren’t just any parents! They were also part of the mafia and I most certainly know that Landon’s mom has a LOT of pull!

Well, this call could be the make or break. Could this be it if she doesn’t like me?

Oh f**k, why did I think that? Now I won’t be able to stop!

My nerves were not half obvious as I was very quiet from the moment I got home. Landon just kept hugging me and telling me to stop worrying.

Yeah easy for him to say!

And it was time!

I refused to sit on Landon’s lap while talking to his mum making him roll his eyes and huff.

He had set it all up so we were in the theatre room and it was all projected on the big screen.

Right on 8 sharp, we connected in to find an older couple staring into the camera. The woman who looked to be only in her early 50’s had dyed black hair with light brown highlights pulled back into a loose bun and a bright red top on that complemented her very olive skin. The man who seemed a bit older, had salt and pepper hair neatly gelled back with, of course, the classic suit on. It could just be because of his hair colour that made him seem a bit older.

As soon as the connection was made, the woman’s face lit up. “Oh my, you are beautiful, so beautiful!”

“Umm… thank you! So are you!” Landon squeezed my knee as he laughed at my awkward response.

“Ma, I’d like you to meet Kate. Kate, this is Ma or Anna and my Stepfather Tommas.”

“Oh no, call me Ma and dis is Tom” she said in her heavy accent.

“It’s lovely to meet you both”. I only just got out before Ma cut in.

“Now when you coming?”

“Ma, I told you, Kate needs to finish work so just over 3 weeks.”

“Oh yes, yes. Kate, what your favourite food?”

“Chocolate” I smiled as she laughed.

“With wine as well I hope”, I in turn laughed and nodded. “Good. We have our own wine. Now tell me about yourself.”

So I did. I told her about my parents, siblings, growing up in the country, moving to the city. She asked questions along the way, seemingly very interested.

She seemed lovely. Sure, I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t this.

Landon sat there the whole time rubbing comforting circles on my leg.

I was glad when he intervened at the “Do you want children?” question. I was NOT ready to think about that yet! Even Tom seemed to quickly scold her even though it was in Italian, so I am not sure except for the expression on his face.

We were about an hour in when Leo’s face appeared behind them. “Hey sis” he smiled and gave a salute.

“Hey Leo! You got back safely! How are you?”

He chuckled “All good. Trying to rain in Ma’s attempt to get on a plane to come and meet you.”

She turned around and swatted at him, making him full on laugh out loud.

“So please tell me about yourselves and Italy.”

The smile on Anna or Ma’s face grew as Tom looked at Landon and gave a short nod of approval.

Ma went on to tell me about how they own many Vineyards and Olive Oil refineries. Their wines and oils are supposedly quite famous, so I will have to do my homework before I go over there!

I apologised as I am not a big wine person or olive oil person and she laughed saying she would help me change that.

I honestly didn’t know that Italy was one of the biggest exporters of wine! I know Australia has a great range and France, of course, but not Italy.

They told me about how beautiful Italy is and that they would take me on tours when I arrive.

“Make a list and we will go. Just us girls”, Anna or Ma smiled excitedly.

After about another half an hour, we finally hung up. I couldn’t help but smile as that went way better than I expected.

“I think that went well… didn’t it?” I looked at Landon, whose smile told me yes. The smile of a Cheshire cat has nothing on him right now.

“f*****g perfect” he murmured as he grabbed the back of my neck and kissed me hard.

We made love that night, slow and deep. I had never felt so cherished than when I had started all this with Landon, but tonight was another level.

Tonight made any questions I had go away.

Men are more primal creatures; they eat, sleep, f**k and in Landon’s case, kill literally.

When you make love like that, it means something. The emotions are poured into your soul through those delicious moments.

Friday night came quickly.

I now receive daily text messages from Ma. I called her Anna once and boy I will not do that again. “You are family and family calls me Ma. None of this Anna bull.” Yeah, I am definitely part of the family now!