If you recognize them, I can't take the credit. :) And a big thanks to Margaret once again for reading ahead and pointing out my typos. Thank you Maragret :)
Food warning! Please don't read on an empty stomach :) Slight smut warning :)
Chapter 14—Broadening Horizons
Stephanie's POV
Once everything was under control, the threat at Lauren's eliminated and Lauren and Avery on their way to Ella, Carlos asked me if I wanted to go out to dinner. As it was now 8:15, I doubted our reservations were being held but I nodded yes to him. I was starving at this point. He picked up his phone and spoke in a foreign language to whoever it was that answered. I was pretty sure he was speaking Italian.
"We're good Babe, they're holding our table for us. And as long as we get there in the next fifteen minutes they won't give it away."
I grabbed my purse, Carlos grabbed a jacket, most likely to hide the gun, and we headed down to the garage. After he made sure I was buckled in and thoroughly kissed, his back blocking the camera's view this time, we headed out to dinner.
You know the car karma that Rangeman has, right? Well, somehow it was still in effect in Miami and we got a spot right in front, probably much to the disappointment of the valet who was eyeing the Mercedes like it was candy. I noticed the dirty look he gave us as Carlos fobbed the car to lock it and we walked towards the restaurant with our arms around each other.
Carlos spoke in Italian to the maitre d' and we were immediately shown to our table in the garden. The garden was lush and absolutely beautiful with hanging lanterns and orchids everywhere but I could see that Carlos was not his usual self. I figured he was worried about his sister. I knew how much he'd be worried about me given similar circumstances, so I prodded him.
"Call her Carlos. She wants to hear from you. She wants your praise. Lauren is a lot like me. Strong on the outside, easy to crumble on the inside. I'm not going anywhere so go outside and let her know you care."
It was more than a hint and he took it well.
"You sure you're ok for a few minutes?"
"Carlos, this is your sister and some freaking Latin King just tried to kidnap her and kill her baby. Call her."
"I'll be back in a few. I ordered wine, don't wait for me."
What the fuck was that supposed to mean?
The waiter came over with a bottle of red. He opened the metal casing and uncorked the bottle, pouring a little into my glass for me to taste. I brought the glass to my lips, took a small sip and nodded that it was good. Then he poured a glass for each of us and I took another sip. Drinking wine by myself wasn't something I wanted to do right now, especially since I had a feeling Carlos was not in a good place. So instead of sitting there waiting, I got up and walked towards the door; Carlos would be somewhere in the vicinity. I saw him outside. He was on his phone gesturing and pacing. That was something I would do, not him, so I walked over.
Thankfully I didn't surprise him.
"Babe, I'm talking to Bobby. Lauren and Avery are safe and sleeping in Ella's spare room. The body was sent to the morgue; it turned out to be Antonio Fernandez. My sister killed an Inca. Her and Brett are going to have to leave the country for a bit until we know what, if any, repercussions will come from this. I want to place a call to Sotolongo but I can do that tonight and we were just discussing whether it would be safe for Hector and Raphael to meet with Tater again. Bobby thinks the LKNs weren't too happy with Fernandez' leadership anyway but until we get on the inside we can't be sure."
"Do the Kings know that Lauren is your sister?"
"I doubt it; I think Fernandez just got their address from the intranet. Brett posted it along with pictures of the house and his very pregnant wife the day they moved in. My feeling is that Fernandez made the assumption that she'd be home and was going to do just what he said — try to trade her for Tank. I was just hanging up here so let's go back inside and try to enjoy the evening."
"Ok. And hi Bobby," I called into Carlos's phone.
"Hey Bomber. Take good care of him tonight, ok?"
"Will do. Did Carlos tell you we're going to Siesta Key for a few days? Or do you think we should head back to Trenton?"
"Take a few days off. I'm good; Lester's here and we can always send a plane for Hector if we need him. You guys deserve a break and I'll see you when you get back."
Carlos hung up with Bobby and we walked back into the restaurant's garden together. When we got to our table both of our napkins had been refolded. It made me giggle, who'd want to refold a used napkin? We both sat down and unfolded them before I asked the question that was on my mind since I heard who Lauren's intruder was.
"So does this mean Tank and Lula can come home and Maria can go back to her apartment?"
"Until we know what the tenor is like within the ALKN everyone stays where they are. I told Bobby that Brett, Lauren and Avery can stay in our apartment until Hal makes them new passports; then they are on their way to the property we have in Greece. I'd rather all concerned parties be safe until we figure out if there is still a threat against them."
I learned that lesson the hard way with the Slayers, so I nodded that I understood. I was about to ask another question when our waiter appeared and put two dishes down in front of us. I looked at Carlos skeptically.
"Artichoke salad with shaved parmesean and truffle dressing," he said pointing to one, "and burrata with tomatoes and basil," he added pointing to the other.
Everything looked as beautiful as the place itself. Sophisticated, elegant and romantic.
The waiter divided up and plated the two appetizers for us. Oh my God. OH MY GOD. It was this amazing sensation of tastes and textures. It was like the best mozzarella I've ever had on the outside, but inside was soft and fluffy. I had to know what this stuff was.
"Carlos, what is this?"
"Burrata Babe."
"Yes, but what is it?"
"Do you like it?"
"Oh my God, I love it. I could have this every day of the week and never get tired of it. What's inside?"
"The outer, hollow pouch is similar to mozzarella…"
"Yeah I thought so, but inside?"
"And the inside is a combination of cream and mozzarella curd. The cream is what makes it so pillowy. I understand it's imported from Puglia. Why don't you try the artichoke salad too Babe. I think you'll like it."
"I have to finish this first, oh my God," I moaned once again, causing a few heads to turn.
When I finished my burrata I took a bite of the artichoke salad. Now I'm not a big artichoke fan, but these were fabulous. Not inedible at all and the truffle dressing took it to a whole other place. I'd just decided that when we got back I was going to find truffle oil somewhere when something else in the salad caught my taste buds. It was something I couldn't put my finger on; it tasted a bit like seasoned ham but then again not.
"What is this Carlos?" I asked taking a small piece on my fork.
"It's speck, a cured meat."
"Go on."
"Boned ham is rubbed with a mixture of salt and spices and allowed to cure before it is cold smoked over ash and then air dried. It takes several months to produce. I believe this one originated in Northern Italy but Germany makes a similar product."
"I like it."
"I was hoping you would. I told you tonight was about broadening your horizons."
"So what else are we having?"
"I thought we would split a primi piatta, a pasta, and a secondi piatti. I took the liberty of ordering an eggplant gnocchi with roasted tomatoes, olives and capers which should be coming out next."
"And then?"
"Enjoy your gnocchi first."
And enjoy I did. Perfect little hand-rolled gnocchis with sauteed eggplant and roasted tomatoes simmered with olives and capers. I'd remembered my grandma Plum making gnocchi, but hers tasted nothing like these. These were light and fabulous. And I guess I moaned again because Carlos laughed at me, took my hand and whispered that I had at least six sets of eyes on me.
What was I supposed to do? Pretend I wasn't enjoying my food?
The gnocchi out of the way, I wondered what Carlos had ordered for our main. I didn't have to wait too long as our waiter came over with a whole branzino. Yep head, tail and all. I was about to wonder how I'd be able to do this, as the idea of something looking up at me from my plate while I ate it never appealed to me. But after showing us our fish, our waiter expertly filleted and deboned it for us putting it on plates along with the organic cherry tomato sauce, Taggiasca olives, roasted artichokes and asparagus. I only knew this because the waiter explained each addition as he added it.
He poured us some more wine and after a sip to clear my palate, I took a bite. I knew I let out another moan before I even noticed the eyes on me. Carlos was laughing and probably everyone on the four tables around us was staring at me.
"Really good," I muttered and went back for another bite. Yes my horizons had been broadened.
"Carlos if this is what Italy's like, can we take a vacation there next year?" I asked once I had finished my fish and every morsel that accompanied it.
"Babe." Whatever that meant at the moment.
I was about to give him the third degree when our waiter appeared again with dessert menus. No contest. I ordered the tiramisu and Carlos got the strawberry and mixed berry consomme with yogurt ice cream. I was pretty sure he'd only eat the berries so I was looking forward to having his ice cream after my tiramisu.
It was at this point that I kind of wondered what else he'd have in store for me. Broadening my horizons could mean a lot of things. I hoped it wasn't a threesome; I really didn't want to share my man with anyone — man or woman. But what was I thinking? He'd told me many times that he didn't share, so I guessed I was off the hook in that respect. Right?
"Babe? Deep thoughts?"
"I'm sorry Carlos, I was just wondering what other horizons you had in mind for me tonight. I mean…"
"I thought we'd stay for dancing. And if there was a room available we could spend the night here. Staying the night was an afterthought, I didn't check availability."
"Just us?" I asked anyway.
"I'm not sure what you mean by that. I didn't invite anyone else."
Whew. "Just checking."
Carlos called our waiter over and asked about hotel availability. There were fifteen suites upstairs and he wasn't sure if they were fully booked. He went back to the desk to check. He came back seconds later.
"Your lucky day, we had a last minute cancellation. One of the suites is open."
Carlos looked over at me. Would I rather share our apartment with Hector or would we rather be alone were his unsaid thoughts. It was a no brainer. I nodded for him to take it although I knew we were pretty loud. Well, I was anyway. Hoped the place was soundproof.
Carlos handed the waiter his black Amex card. Nothing more needed to be said it had no limit. Obviously he was good for anything. Our bill had been paid and so had our night at the small hotel upstairs. Carlos pulled me into his arms, kissed me like he loved me and led me to the dance floor.
Now I'm much more of a rock, pop, hip hop kind of person but the forties music being played was perfect for cheek-to-cheek dancing. Except we weren't cheek to cheek; Carlos was staring into my eyes.
"Let's get married Babe."
Well duh, isn't that what an engagement is supposed to lead to? I just looked at him, ESPing that thought.
"I mean now; this summer. If we start planning we can have an August wedding at the house."
So that's what was on his mind. Ah, two could play at this game. "And if we don't care about giving people over a month's notice we can have a June wedding."
"We need to be fair to Ella Babe; she's offered to do the catering."
"She has? And you're just telling me this now?"
"She only just offered."
"You're serious, aren't you?"
"I don't joke about these things."
"How about July? Mary Lou and her family always go away in August and I'd really like her to be there, even if we don't have a traditional wedding."
"July seems tight but I guess it's doable; we need to talk to Ella."
"Now?"
"If you'd like, but you never answered me. Set a date? Get married?"
"Yes. I'd be very happy to marry you."
His lips came crashing down on mine and his hands cupped my ass as he kissed me. I hoped no one was watching our public display of affection. But I didn't have to worry for too long. "Let's go upstairs Babe," he whispered suggestively next to my ear as the song, and our kiss, came to an end.
We'd already paid for dinner and the room, so I grabbed my purse from the table where I left it and followed Carlos to the front desk to get our key.
Our room was on the second floor so we took the elevator up. Thankfully it was at the end of the hall, so we only had neighbors to one side. It was a pretty room with a canopied bed, a small sitting area, marble bath with double sinks, jacuzzi and shower. There were fresh flowers in a basket sitting on the bed and an orchid plant on the credenza. I guess they continued the theme from downstairs. Although it wasn't as large as some of the places we've stayed in, it was lovely. I only had a few seconds to take it in before Carlos' arms were around me and I was sandwiched between him and the foyer wall.
"I've been wanting to take this off you all evening," he said, unbuttoning the top part of the 'dress' so he'd have access to my body. He kissed my lips, my neck and began to kiss his way down my body when he got frustrated with the separate top and bottom of the outfit. I took pity on him and helped him with the buttons on the skirt half. When the outfit slid to the floor, he stood back, eyes dilated black and looked at me in my tiny white satin bra and panties.
"You are so beautiful Babe. I'm the luckiest man in the world."
I wouldn't say that, that designation probably went to Olivier Martinez, Halle Berry's husband, but I was certainly the luckiest woman in the world.
"Hmmm, take this off Carlos," I gestured towards his belt buckle so he'd get the idea that I wanted him naked.
I don't know how he did it, but he was able to get his pants and shirt off (well I helped with the shirt) while he removed my bra. Carlos was naked and I just had little panties on as he carried me to the bed.
I had put two of the world's tiniest hair clips into my hair to hold back those curls in the front that always escape. Of course Carlos found the clips and hmmm, what can I say...he repurposed them. One moment he was licking my nipple and the next I felt a clamp over it. It hurt, but not too badly.
"You ok Babe?"
I nodded yes and he left it on.
He licked and kissed his way down my body before coming back up, removing the second clip and after thoroughly teasing my other nipple into a hard pebble, clamped it. It stung, but I was so turned on. Oh my God.
"Carlos, I want you right now," I practically screamed at him.
He reached between my legs and I guessed I was soaked. The look on his face was priceless and his penis acted in kind; I'd never seen him that hard. He removed my panties and tried to finger me but I couldn't wait for that; I pushed him onto his back and jumped on top of him. I came as soon as his penis entered me. Oh my God. And as soon as that orgasm ended I became aware of the clamping on my nipples and it set me off again. Carlos had this great big grin on his face and I was like an orgasm machine. One after another, after another. Oh my God, we were both SO turned on. He somehow pumped into me through my constant arching and we came together one final time.
By now my nipples were super sensitive and beginning to hurt. Carlos lovingly removed the clips before treating my poor abused nipples to a nice licking and a gentle massage. And oh, I guess I broadened another horizon.