Salvatore Dalla Part 2

"I'm sorry," she says, her eyes locked onto mine.
"Don't worry, I've already avenged them," I say, noticing her swallow hard, not used to the raw reality of the mafia. "This property we're at was where we used to come for vacations and weekends."
"Thank you for bringing me," she says, and I nod.
"Besides that, I'm who you know I am, and on top of that, I manage the company you were at a few days ago."
"What are we doing here?" I notice she no longer seems as fearful being next to me.
"Nothing special, I wanted some time to clear my head and recover, so I decided to come here." I omit the fact that I wanted time with her as the waiter brings us our main dishes.
"Why did you bring me?" she asks after taking a bite of her pasta.
"I don't know, Amapola," I reply honestly. "Maybe I wanted to keep you quiet, and I've noticed that you only seem... let's say, good when you're close to me."
"Good?" she asks, smiling.
"Yes, Amapola, and by the way, you look beautiful today," I say, and she blushes. I think she's not used to being complimented, but beautiful was the least I could say considering how she truly looks.
When I entered the room and saw her finishing getting ready, I wanted to immediately tell her how perfect she looked, but I held back. Now, speaking with her so naturally, I wanted her to know.
"Thank you, Salvatore, you look great too," she says, keeping her gaze on her plate, clearly embarrassed by what she said.
We finished dinner practically in silence. Before we left, I asked for a box of cannoli to take with us because I noticed she really liked the dessert, and I also ordered a bottle of the wine we had.
When we arrived at the property, I invited Amapola to take a walk in the garden. It felt strange, but I wanted to be nice to her, something I didn't bother being with anyone else.
I took off the coat I was wearing and draped it over her shoulders. We walked until we were close to the lake where I often played with my brothers.
We stood in silence admiring the moon reflected on the water, remaining that way for a long time, each of us reflecting on our own problems and thoughts.
"Salvatore?" she suddenly called.
"Why do you treat me differently from other people?" she asks, and I almost choke. How far can this girl read me?
"I don't treat you differently."
"Yes, you do," she questions, turning to face me, and I do the same. Our gazes lock, and she continues, "You're not rude all the time. I know you want to protect me, and above all, you gave me the option to leave, to run away from you."
"I don't know, Amapola." I'm sincere. "You are... different. Why didn't you leave when I allowed it?"
"Because I wanted to stay. There's something about you that attracts me just as much as it scares me."
"Are you afraid of me?"
"Not anymore. I know you wouldn't hurt me."
"I really wouldn't, Amapola. I don't understand why, but you're right, I wouldn't be able to hurt you."
"And I thank you for that, Salvatore," she says, surprising me by bringing her hand to my face and caressing me gently.
"Amapola?" I call her attention. "What would you do if I kissed you?"
"Now?" she asks, surprised.
"Yes, piccola. Now." Slowly, I bring my face closer to hers, waiting for her to pull away, but she doesn't. Then, I press our lips together, our eyes still locked onto each other.
And in that moment, my whole world begins to make sense. I've never kissed like I do with Amapola, without any sexual connotation, at least not right now. I just wanted to taste her, feel the softness of her skin, and know what it would be like to have her in my arms, even if just for a few moments.
When I thought about pulling away from her, Amapola surprised me by pulling me closer. I traced my tongue around every corner of her mouth and discovered that there were many flavors there, and all of them were incredible.
Our bodies were pressed against each other, and just as our tongues danced in perfect sync, in a quick impulse, I lifted Amapola off the ground and ran to the entrance, bounding up the steps that led me to the door two at a time.

"Salvatore, your arm," she says, concerned that I'm carrying her in my arms.
"Don't worry, mia bella, I've endured much worse than this, but right now I just need to get you inside urgently."
With that said, I rushed up the internal stairs, and contrary to what she might have thought, I didn't take her to her room. I took Amapola straight to mine; if she wanted, that’s where she would stay for the night.