7. Hannah

Ican't believe my savior asked me out to dinner tonight. My life has been on a downward spiral then hit rock bottom when my mom died. Then I broke through those rocks and plummeted down into a pile of shit when Dexter Creed sent his man after me and I was forced to participate in that awful auction last night. Somehow all of that washed away and when I looked off that stage into the crowd, I saw a pair of intense green eyes. Vin Rossi literally scooped me up into his arms and took me away from it all.

And now he wants to take me out to dinner.

I pinch myself and dance across the bedroom floor. Throwing my closet door open, my mood deflates a little. I have nothing to wear. What if he takes me to some fancy restaurant? I'm going to look like a poor relation. Oh, God, I don't want to embarrass myself. Or, worse, him. Sighing, I wonder how I'm going to find something nice to wear when there's a knock on my door.

Walking back into the living room, I ask who it is before removing the chair from beneath the door handle. It turns out to be the repairman Vin sent over. Wow, that was fast. But I have the impression that when Vin Rossi wants something done, it happens immediately. No one stops to ask any questions; they just carry out his orders.

Plucking the chair back, I open the door and smile at him. "Thank you for coming so soon."

He waves my words off.

"Not a problem, miss." I step back while he inspects the broken lock. "This shouldn't take me longer than ten minutes."

"Okay, thanks." While he starts getting his tools out, I notice a woman walking up the hallway and she lifts her sunglasses up onto her head as she approaches. She's strikingly gorgeous with long dark hair and big, brown eyes. I also notice how fashionable she looks and I wish I could pull off the kind of elegant confidence that she radiates.

"Hannah?" she asks, walking right up to my broken door, all glowy gorgeousness and what strikes me as curiosity.

"Uh, yeah." Who is this divine creature? I wish I was half as perfect.

"Hi, I have a special delivery for you from Vincentius Rossi." She whips the garment bag around she's carrying over her shoulder, along with another bag, and offers it to me.

"For me?" Suddenly, I'm so confused.

"For your date tonight," she clarifies.

I'm not sure what to say. Vin's kindness is overwhelming, but I take the proffered bag and smile at the woman. "Thank you so much. I can't believe he did this," I murmur under my breath more so to me than her.

"He's a very generous person," she tells me.

"Are you his, er, assistant?" I ask, not sure what to think about the beautiful woman. She looks a few years older than me and she's so well put together that it makes me feel frumpy.

She waves a perfectly-manicured hand through the air. "Oh, something like that. He is always wanting me to run his errands." Then she chuckles and tosses me a wink. "Have fun tonight."

I'm not sure what to think and I have no idea who she is, but I like her. Something about her is mysterious, yet kind, and I'll have to ask Vin later tonight. In the meantime, I can't stop thinking about my hero. There's no denying that I'm drawn to Vin. And I think it's more than just because he saved me from that other man.

Of course, I find him extremely attractive. What girl in her right mind wouldn't? But I'm also fascinated by him. Does he make it a habit of rescuing people like he did me? Or am I special? My cheeks heat up when I think about how much I owe him. Because I do. Vin paid a fortune for me and he didn't even try to claim his prize—which, in his defense, he could've done. He had every right to take my virginity last night. But he didn't even attempt it. All he did was place a quick kiss against my lips.

Our conversation comes back to me.

"Why did you spend so much money to buy me—er, my virginity—and you don't want to sleep with me?"

"I never said I don't want to sleep with you. But I won't take something that isn't freely given. And I've never paid for sex."

What was he doing at the White Auction then? He never really answered that. All I know is I'm the one who can't stop thinking about him and now I find myself wanting more. So much more.

The fact is I am a twenty-two year old virgin. Granted, that's not as old as some, but it's still older than most women when they sleep with a man for the first time. And, good God, Vin is all man. I can still remember how citrusy-delicious he smelled and how hard his chest felt against my hands. Yeah, there's no doubt about it—Vin Rossi is the perfect masculine specimen and he's got my pulse thundering, heart beating like crazy and, dare I say, my panties damp. Again.

Over the years, I haven't had time to date or explore a serious relationship with a man. Hence me still being a virgin at twenty-two. But now that my mom is gone and there's a drop-dead gorgeous man paying attention to me, things are shifting. I find myself experiencing things I haven't before. At least not to this degree. Desire is a new thing for me and it's making me all hot and bothered like I've never been before.

Chewing my lower lip, I set the bag with what I think are shoes down on the floor and hang the garment bag up and unzip it. I can't help but gasp when I look at the beautiful dress inside. Reaching out, I touch the dark red, silky fabric, running my fingers down its length. It's short and sexy. Wondering how Vin knew what size to send, I carefully take it off the hangar and check the tag. It's a six. How did he know my size?

Maybe he was checking me out more than I realized,I think with a little smile of satisfaction.

"All set!" a voice yells.

I snap out of my reverie and look over at the repairman who is now hefting his toolbox back up off the floor.

"Thank you so much," I tell him and hurry over.

"No problem."

"What do I owe you?"

But he shakes his head. "Nothing. Mr. Rossi has it covered."

"Oh, um, okay."

"Have a good day, miss."

"You, too." I wave and watch as he walks off. Then I close the door and test the new lock. It snaps shut and I feel a bit more secure than I did. I'm not used to someone taking care of me like this and, I'm not going to lie, it's really, really nice. Normally, I'm the caretaker and I'm the one who has to make sure everything is done and everyone is fine. But Vin is making sure I'm the one who's okay and it warms my heart.

The day flies by so fast and I spend most of it being nervous. I also spend a good portion of it getting ready. I take a long, luxurious shower and my thoughts turn wicked as I stand there under the falling water, running my hands over my wet, naked body and thinking about Vin. Imagining that my hands are his hands. Touching my breasts, sliding my hand between my thighs, I pretend he's in there with me. Pleasuring me.

Of course, it's not the same.

But I do come to a conclusion—I want to sleep with him tonight. Yes, I owe him, but it's so much more than that. Maybe I'm a little naive, but I trust him and I want him to be my first. Something tells me he's going to be a kind, gentle and considerate lover. Maybe even a little romantic. I want that, too. I want it all.

I want him.

I spend an inordinate amount of time dolling myself up with a little extra makeup and I make sure my hair is brushed until it shines like gold. Then I slip into the dress from Vin along with the sexy, strappy heels. Of course, they're my exact size, and I do a little spin in front of the mirror. I don't think I've ever felt so beautiful. Almost like Cinderella.

Promptly at six o'clock, there's a knock on my door and my stomach drops. Oh, God, he's here. Forcing myself to pull in a deep, steadying breath, I smooth my clammy hands down the front of my dress, walk over and open the door.

Standing before me is the god of all gods. My heart skips up my throat and I can't believe this beautiful man is here to pick me up and take me out to dinner. Who am I? How did my luck turn around in the past twenty-four hours to the point that I'm practically giddy? Maybe I'm dreaming.

Vin's gaze slides down me and I nearly swoon. He looks amazing in a perfectly-tailored, charcoal-colored suit but, like last night, he's not wearing a tie. When those panther-like green eyes lift back up and meet mine, I give him a shy smile.

"Hi," I say softly.

"Hi," he answers. "You look stunning."

A fierce blush steals over my cheeks. "Thank you. The dress and shoes fit perfectly. You didn't have to?—"

"I wanted to," he interrupts me. "And you look amazing in that color."

I must look like a fool because I'm grinning so damn hard. "You did a good job. Or, your assistant did," I correct myself.

"Assistant?" he echoes, frowning slightly.

"Oh, the woman who dropped them off with the long dark hair. She was really nice."

A funny look passes over his handsome face and then his mouth edges up. "Did my ‘assistant' happen to introduce herself?" he asks, voice dry.

I shake my head.

"I'm guessing you met my sister, Carlotta. I asked her to pick out the dress and shoes for you tonight."

Sister?I wasn't expecting that. "Oh! She was lovely."

"I'm sure."

I can't help but chuckle at his sarcastic tone. A wave of relief also passes through me now that I know they're related because she is the exact kind of woman I imagine Vin would be attracted to and date. Not me.

"C'mon," he says. "I hope you're hungry because I'm taking you to the best Italian restaurant in the city."

"Starving," I say and he glances down at me. There's no mistaking the heat in his emerald eyes and I swallow hard, trying to ignore my nerves.

Vin clears his throat and we head down to his car. It's the same Mercedes I rode in before and I slide in, settling on the soft, buttery leather seat. Suddenly, I feel so very much like my fairytale is coming true. No one has ever spoiled me like this before and it's nice. But I don't want to get used to it. As far as Vin and I are concerned…well, I'm going to offer him myself tonight, but I don't expect anything more than one night. We're clearly from two different worlds and I don't belong in his. However, for the time being, it's going to be really nice to visit. I'm harboring no illusions, though, and I'll be ready when the Mercedes turns back into a pumpkin.

Vin pulls the car right up to the valet and my door instantly opens. A young man helps me out as Vin circles around. I could swear, he sends a glare at the valet before tossing his key fob over and possessively placing a hand on my back and steering me away.

We walk up the stairs and pause at the podium where the hostess recognizes Vin right away.

"Hello, Mr. Rossi. Your table is ready. Please, follow me."

Wow. Talk about a reception. As we walk through the restaurant, skirting other tables and diners, I look around and I'm beyond impressed. Candles flicker on each tabletop and large crystal chandeliers emit a low light giving the whole place a very romantic atmosphere. Soft music plays from hidden speakers and the smell of the food is delicious.

Vin keeps his hand firmly on my back as the hostess escorts us over to a private, corner table. A candle flickers in its center and the silverware practically sparkles. After pushing my chair in, Vin sits down across from me, studying me in the dim lighting.

"What?" I ask softly, feeling self-conscious.

"Nothing. Just admiring how beautiful you look tonight."

Blushing again, I look down and start fussing with the edge of a knife. "Oh, um, thank you. You look very nice, too."

"Hannah?"

"Hmm?" I look back up and see the desire flare to life in his green eyes.

"I'm serious. When you first opened your door, you took my breath away."

Oh, my God. What do I even say to that? I clasp my hands together and try to wrangle my nerves. Before I can respond, a short, slightly overweight man with a big smile and friendly eyes walks over and shakes hands with Vin.

"Good evening," he greets us warmly. "It's so nice to see you again."

"You, too. Mario, I'd like you to meet Hannah," Vin says. "Hannah, this is Mario Agresti, the owner."

"It's so nice to meet you," I say and we shake hands.

"The pleasure is all mine."

He and Vin talk for a minute and then food starts arriving at the table before we even order. A waiter pours a glass of red wine for each of us and my eyes must go wide as saucers because Vin and Mario chuckle.

"Only the best service for my dear friends," Mario says. "I hope you enjoy the sampling and, of course, the wine from Rossi Vineyard."

We thank him and then I look at all the plates of food, not sure where to start. Once again, Vin steps in and serves me then himself. He explains each dish as we make our way through them all and by the time we've tasted everything, I have my favorites. I've also finished a glass of wine and I'm feeling lighter than I have in years.

Licking my lips, I look across the table and smile at Vin. My Prince Charming is going to be well-rewarded tonight for treating me with such kindness and respect. I'm going to repay him with my virginity and I look forward to spending the night in his arms.

He just doesn't know it yet.