Chapter 49: Chapter 49

C H A P T E R - T W E N T Y

Mic prepared Cosmos, we drank and ate, and I was extremely tempted to bring up some of the other things Falcone had stated, particularly since Ramona, who had worked for Falcone for seven years, was present and could have some insight. I didn't want to get Ramona into trouble, or worse, water boarded if she spread rumors about her employer, so she needed to keep herself in control while wearing gorgeous sweater dresses and fire engine red suede heels. As a result, I held my inquiries to myself.

Additionally, I did this because I really should have asked Falcone.

The moment the garage door began to creak loudly, the room started to electrify. Antonette said this because she was happy that Falcone was back home for me. Ramona was also saying this because she was eager to watch me talk to Falcone. Mic was also doing this because she wanted to analyze him using her incredible mental abilities before passing judgment. Finally, I'm saying this because, like Antonette, I was thrilled that Falcone was back home.

He entered via the inner door after hearing another creak, which indicated that the garage door was about to descend. There were four sets of feminine eyes inside. He was not self-conscious despite having four sets of female eyes on him as I peered over my shoulder at him. He was Falcone, and that is exactly why he first drew my attention. He was self-assured, elegant, and forceful.

Oh boy.

I cocked my head back to see him move straight to the back of the couch behind me.

I said gently, "Hey."

He bent down at the same moment that his hand moved from one shoulder to the other, over my neck to my other shoulder, and I felt his lips on the area just behind my ear.

He said, "Hey babe," with his lips still in place.

Ramona murmured, "Mm hmm," and I took a moment to digest it since I was analyzing my stomach's flutter and quiver in a private setting.

He stood up straight, wrapped his hand around my neck, and fixed his dark eyes on the group of girls.

He murmured, "Ladies."

Antonette exhaled, "Hey."

Ramona welcomed Falcone, saying, "Yo."

Just staring at him, Micah.

I scurried to move away as he sat between me and the armrest after releasing his hold on my neck and rounding the sofa. His other hand reached out and grabbed my wrist as one of his arms went to wrap around my shoulders and bring me to him. I looked up as I noticed him consuming liquid from the martini glass. The fact that he was sipping from my glass made my stomach feel queasy, and the other faction wanted to take my Cosmo back before he drank any more.

It came as no surprise to whosoever prevailed.

"Would you prefer your own?

", I questioned sternly.

He returned the glass to me with the remark, "Yours'll do," disregarded my objection, and then leaned forward to take the remaining apple pieces. He nonchalantly tossed one into his mouth and then leaned back.

Falcone's body is his temple, I stated as I turned to face the female posse. He'll enter anaphylactic shock after the vodka has a chance to pass through his system, which will take approximately a minute. There's no need to panic because I have an adrenaline shot on hand.

Once more, Antonette laughed. Ramona burst up laughing.

Even Mic smiled as Falcone let forth his strong, deep, delighted chuckle.

"Mo claims you left at three thirty," Falcone said as the laughing stopped and I turned at him to find his gaze was fixed on Ramona.

Ramona nodded as I looked at her. "Sho' did it."

I chewed my lower lip and stared at Antonette.

"Will this be a cleverly camouflaged line item?" Falcone inquired as he bent over and collected some stranded grapes, his head teetering on the shattered food boards.

"I've set up Gia as her own cost center," Ramona said calmly.

My pupils dilated.

"Perhaps a good idea," Falcone said as he leaned back.

I swallowed, but Antonette set her cup down so she could sit on her hands instead of clapping them in delight.

Falcone caught my eye. "Do you want a proper meal?" ”

"Will you experience post-traumatic stress symptoms after being forced to cook veggies and spoon out cottage cheese?"

" he said.

I felt my brow furrow. "Do you want it for dinner?" ”

"Yeah," he said.

"Then, most likely. Will visits to the psychologist be included in my cost center? ”

He grinned as his arm wrapped quickly and tightly, drawing me toward him. As my chest collided with his, my cosmo arm sprang out to prevent a contact. His hand moved up into my hair to cup my head, he turned it, and my mouth collided with his.

The kiss was brief, but any kiss from Falcone was delicious.

Some were sweeter than others.

When he moved back an inch, he smiled and said, "Babe."

"You said you were going to kiss me if I made you laugh."

"I did."

"I didn't make you laugh," I said.

"No, but I'm going to kiss you if you make me laugh."

"So, I'm not even getting a verbal warning?"

His hand went down to the back of my neck. "Those are the downtimes, Sweet Pea."

"Sweet Pea," Antonette exhaled, and I suddenly realized I had an audience.

I sat back and pushed away, examining the posse.

Antonette was wide-eyed in the twilight, la-la realm of bliss, certain that she'd always been correct. Ramona was beaming into her martini glass, perhaps regretting the fact that the commandos weren't interested in the juicy info she had to impart. Mic was swirling the dregs of her cosmo in the bottom of her glass, her eyes openly analyzing Falcone, unable to let go of a year and a half of believing Falcone was a motherfucking jerk, but I could tell she was changing her mind.

"I need to steam some veggies," I explained. "Who wants steamed vegetables?" ”

Antonette said, "Not for me."

"I've got to hurry home," Ramona remarked, swallowing the last of her cosmo.

"Me, too, early shift," Mic said.

Falcone grabbed my drink once again as Antonette said, "If Mic's going, I'm going." "She'll be my transportation."

Falcone sipped his drink and looked at Antonette.

"If you want to hang out with Gia, I'll drive you home."

"Will you?

" Antonette inquired, her eyes wide, an offer of a trip home confirming her right to never give up hope.

"Sure," Falcone said.

Her gaze flashed between Falcone and me before she added, "I'd want to remain."

Falcone came back, said, "Then stay," gave me my drink, and bent forward once more to grab the rest of the apple slices.

The female posse organized. Mic and Ramona said goodbye to Antonette and me at the door, and I assured them that I would take care of the clean-up. Falcone waved them off with a flick of the chin as he was standing inside the open refrigerator. After they departed, Falcone walked to his desk, opened up his laptop, and I could see the screen illuminating his face before he switched on the desk lamp. While Antonette and I proceeded to the kitchen.

While I cooked vegetables and spooned out cottage cheese, Antonette cleaned. As I was placing the vegetables on the platter and Antonette was shaking yet another batch of sparklers, Falcone came over. We went back to the seating area, with Falcone sitting in the corner and me leaning on him as he ate. Antonette went back to her recliner.

Falcone wasn't the same with Antonette as he had been with me on our date. He spoke to her. He was relaxed, occasionally amusing, not quite open but not purposefully closed, and, if it could be believed, frequently endearing.

Hmm.