Shay and I had manicures and pedicures done together. While I got a massage, she chose to get a facial. It was much needed for both of us. We sipped wine and relaxed before we headed into the private rooms for our individual services.

The masseuse, Michelle, kneaded her hands into my shoulders. She was absolutely amazing! Moans and groans escaped me as she went to work along my spine. I was putty in her hands and she knew it. Completely relaxed, I let her hands and the tranquil music lull me to sleep.

After the first time, she told me to come back in about two weeks, if I was able. My back was so bad. She said that by the knots in my shoulders, that is where I held my stress.

I'm almost certain that she had turned my brain to mush, like the rest of my body, because I spilled to Micah about her wanting me to come back. Without hesitation, he was ready to make me another appointment. I told him it wasn't necessary. I told him that he didn't need to pamper me. That one time was enough and I was happy to have had a relaxing afternoon, but he changed my mind.  

When Micah tried to massage, he was far rougher. When I asked him to be more gentle, it turned into a caress that ended with his head between my thighs. Leaving a note on my counter the next morning that had a time and date of my next appointment.

The second massage, coincidentally, was the same day as the dinner. I took the day off to be able to help set up or help, but Micah was keeping all the details secret. He was the one who arranged my appointment with Michelle and reassured me that he had everything handled. I tried not to stress about it all morning, but it had been eating at me. I had no details except instruction on what to wear, and that he would be picking me up.

Waking to Michelle's hand on my shoulder, she gave me a gentle shake. As the fog lifted from my brain, I could hear her say my name, letting me know that we were finished and she left the room to give me privacy to slip into my robe.

Thick cotton, warmed by the room against my oiled skin should have been relaxing. All I wanted to do was take a hot shower. Thankfully the spa had amazing soaking tubs. An attendant met me outside the room and led me to the private bath. 

As I slipped into the room, I noticed a simple, yet beautiful bouquet of purple roses. When I looked back at the attendant, she just smiled and closed the door. There was a card leaning against the vase.

My breath caught as I read the little note. The thought that he could take my breath away without being in the same room, excited me. Placing the card back on the counter, I smelled the roses. They smelled as good as they looked. Not only had he given me flowers, but he had also remembered my favorite. All the way back to the first night of my ramblings. He had remembered!

When I reached the lobby of the spa, there was a man in a suit waiting for me.

"Miss Bennett?" He asked.

"That's me." I wasn't sure what to say to him. I had never seen him before, but his eyes were kind and he regarded me professionally.

"Mr. Moretti sends his regrets that he was unable to pick you up. He sent me to drive you home," saying it with a smile. "He said he would send you a message."

Placing the roses down, I retrieved my phone out of my purse. It had been on silent and with my brain still a mushy, relaxed, mess, I hadn't thought to even check it. Sure enough, there was a message from Micah.

Micah:

I hope your visit was
 relaxing. I have some
things to take care of
before tonight so I
can't pick you up

Micah: 

I'm sending someone
to you. See you in a bit

I looked up from my phone, into the expressionless face. Grey eyes stared back at me. With everything Micah had told me, I wanted to make sure the man in front of me was really who Micah had sent. 

I casually double-tapped the button on the side of my phone, opening the camera and snapping a candid shot of the man before me. Diverting my attention back to my phone, setting up a message to Micah, I asked, "What is your name?"

"I'm Mr. Torez, Miss."

Writing out the message, attaching the picture, I sent it to Micah. 

Micah: 

Yes, baby. Jamie Torez.
Is everything ok?

Me: 

Just double checking

Micah: 

I should have thought
of that, I'm sorry

Me: 

You're too good to me. 
Don't beat yourself up
over this. I'm sure your
hands are full. 

I felt almost rude ignoring the man in front of me, but I could feel my expression soften when I gave him my full attention.

"Thank you. Sorry, I just needed to make sure you were who you said you were. I can't be too careful."

He bowed his head slightly and said, "Of course ma'am. I understand and I am not offended. You are very important to the Moretti's. Are you ready to go? I can carry the roses if you'd like."

Silently, I handed him the flowers and he led the way to the car. He left me to my thoughts as we cruised back to my place. Just like Micah, Jamie walked me to my door, making sure that I was safe within my apartment before he left.

With wet hair from the shower at the spa, I headed to the bathroom. Clicking the hairdryer on, I started getting ready for the dinner. As I finished, I noticed a garment bag hanging from the frame of my closet.

I didn't need a card to know who it was from. My eyes bulged when I looked at the tag inside the dress. All price tags had been removed and I was guessing it was because he didn't want me knowing how expensive a dress was.

I had never shopped for designer clothes because food and a roof over my head were more important. This beautiful red dress was designed by one of my favorite Spice Girls, Victoria Beckham. Nostalgic memories of dancing at recess came flooding back. In elementary school, with all the girls from our class, and singing at the top of our lungs, "Spice up your life."

Sweet slim straps held the sweetheart neckline and accentuated my chest and the back dipped low. Like everything else he bought for me, it fit perfectly. The two-sided zipper that ran the length of the back, confused me, but I managed. I could only imagine what he was planning with a zipper like this one.

As I finished pinning my hair up, there was a knock at the door. Glancing at the clock, he was early. The peephole confirmed my guest but I asked anyway, "Who is it?"

"Hey baby girl, it's me. Open up. I have something for you." Micah was grinning mischievously as I watched him through the distorted eye hole.

Unlocking my door, I peered out at him. "Is it chocolate?" I asked as I dragged my eyes over him. He was in a suit, again, with no tie and the top few buttons undone. Fuck me! 

"Not quite." His eyes dropped to the top of my dress and I shifted behind the door. Teasing him. Not letting him see all of me. "May I come in?"

"Depends. What did you bring me?"

Eyes locked with mine, he pulled out an aqua blue box with a beautiful white ribbon. My eyes dropped to the box in his hand as my jaw hit the floor.

With the box in hand, he gently pushed the door open with his other. He didn't step forward, he just stood there, looking at me, looking at the box. I almost forgot that I had dressed especially for him tonight. The gorgeous dress he bought, was now on me.

His eyes roved over my body and he swallowed hard. "Fuck Remi. We may be late for this dinner." His tone was heavy with need and I could feel heat creeping up my chest.

Coming back to the moment, I reveled in the attention. "The dress isn't bad, do I look okay?" By the look in his face and the growing tension at the front of his pants, I knew the answer.

"Baby girl," he growled, taking a step forward. There wasn't anything else he said or could say. With his free hand, he traced my jaw with his fingertips. The feather-light touch sent an icey heat down my bare arms. Closing my eyes and leaning into his hand, our chests came together as he took control.

His mouth claimed mine with an urgent hunger. Letting myself get swept up in the firestorm he created. Both of his hands were on me, gripping me to him as he kicked the door closed behind him. Stealing away each other's breath as we made our way further into my apartment. 

Backing up to the wall of my hallway, his hard body pressed into mine. Snagging his bottom lip with mine, I sucked and earned myself a low, masculine moan. I pushed my forehead against his, I broke away from his mouth. Breathing hard, I looked up at him.

"Easy tiger. Aren't we on a schedule? You're lucky I didn't put lipstick on, you'd be covered!" 

"I'm early. Plus, Gorgeous, I don't think I'd mind being covered in your lipstick." He said it as he stepped back and looked me up and down. "You make that dress look stunning. How does it fit?"

"You tell me," saying it as I slowly turned and faced the wall. Placing my hands against the wall, I pushed my ass towards him.

With a feather-light caress, his hands skimmed over my hips and down my thighs. Running his fingers along the hem of the dress, over my calves, finding the zipper. The tight pencil skirt loosened as I heard the metal teeth of the zipper give way.

"What are you doing?" I said, grinning wickedly to the wall. I didn't stop him from unzipping the dress from the hem up.

"Giving you some slack so you can walk," saying it from where he was stooped behind me. "You look incredible. It's not too tight, is it?"

Turning around slowly, "No, it is perfect. I think you may have to shop for me from now on. Everything you've bought for me has fit me so well." I rewarded him with another passionate kiss before sliding out of his arms to finish getting ready.

Making our way downstairs, the same town car I'd ridden in this afternoon was parked at the door. The same driver, Jamie, was ready for us as soon as we stepped outside. Glancing at Micah, I wasn't used to this type of treatment. With a silent smile, he nodded at Jamie, who opened the door of the car for me.

Chivalrous acts, gifts and flowers just because, keeping his word, clearly, I had no idea what it had meant to be in a healthy relationship. A flutter behind my ribs caused my heart to beat faster as I climbed into the back seat. Micah was changing my entire view of how it was supposed to be. I didn't have much reference from my absent father, and the over-dramatized versions of love in movies made me feel like love was all mushy.

The realization that this relationship, with Micah, was probably not normal either. Fuck, it was far from normal. No matter how much Micah shielded me, there were still assassins, mafia, guns, drugs, and who knows what else. 

The gift Micah had brought, had been forgotten at the apartment and we fell into comfortable conversation. We cruised for about an hour before pulling up to a large barn. The exterior was weathered but not worn, with its large front doors, closed.

"What is this place?"

"Can't you let me surprise you? Stay here, I'll get your door." Without another word, he was up and out of his seat. I was still taking in the rustic building when he opened my door and offered his hand.

The landscape around us was coated in a golden glow and I was enamored with the beauty and simplicity of the location. 

My eyes adjusted slowly as we stepped through the entry. The barn had been made into a spacious entertaining space. A long oak table stood in the canter with chairs around it's edge. The place settings were simple, clean, and charming.  

With mason jars of baby's breath, he had kept his word. Looking past the table stood some of my my uncle Conner, closest friends, and a hand full of co-workers. Totaling to be about twenty people, the dinner was intimate and less than what I thought I would be walking into.

"Amazing," I said in awe. 

Music played and friends chatted as we made our way around to see all of the people who had attended. Near the far end of the barn, there was a small table with an ornate box. 

"What is that?" Asking as I wandered over to it, and Micah followed.

"I still wanted to donate. Let others donate in memory of your mom. Before the dinner we collected cards and checks for you." He stood behind me as I fingered through the cards. 

Seeing familiar writing, I lifted the golden envelope. 'Tesoro,' skillfully written in beautiful calligraphy. It wasn't the first time he addressed a card this way, and I knew it was from Giovanni.

Opening the envelope and card with care, I was dumbstruck at what was inside. 

Sending his regrets for missing the dinner, he had nothing but kind and uplifting words for me. It wasn't his words or the elaborate card that shocked me, though.

I could feel Micah smiling into my neck as he whispered to me, "He loves you like his own. He will always take care of you and those who are important to you."

The check paper felt expensive between my fingers, but then again, it could have been the string of zeros behind the six. 

A total of seven zeros; I counted them three times.  Addressed to the hospital, in memory of my mother.

***

A/N: Thank you for reading! I am so sorry to have been absent for so long! A lot has been going on in my personal life and it created a creative block. Thankfully, with the help of a fellow writer, I am doing a little every day.  

Please remember vote on the chapter, give me feedback on what you think so far, and watch for another release within the next two weeks <3