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EPILOGUE
CATERINA
I’m pretty sure we’re in paradise.
I’m not sure what part of the resort I love the most. The staff falls over themselves to make sure we’re happy. I wouldn’t complain if I had to fall asleep to the sound of the ocean every night for the rest of my life. The weather is absolutely perfect. There’s a gentle warmth in the air, absolutely no humidity, sunny skies, and balmy breezes.
Like the breeze that stirs the sheer white curtains that hang on each side of the sliding door that leads out to the private pool. After a morning of swimming together–among other things I’m glad nobody else could see, thanks to the discrete walls between our suite and the ones adjoining–we managed to climb our way out of the pool, rinse off in the shower, then collapse into bed for a nap.
I’m smiling when Gianni’s gentle kisses against my temple bring me back to reality. A reality sweeter than any dream. “Can we just move here permanently?” I murmur, drowsy and happy.
“You know you’ve asked me that at least twice daily since we arrived.”
“I guess I keep hoping the answer will change.”
He pulls me closer, the big spoon to my little spoon and I fit my body against his. “It’s a very tempting idea,” he finally admits, his lips grazing my ear when he speaks. “But somebody’s got to run things back home.”
My impulse is to tell him to leave it to Roger. I guess it’s going to take a little more time to remember he and Tatiana are… wherever they are. It’s safer that I don’t know, and I understand that, but I don’t have to like remembering them leaving the morning after the wedding without so much as a hint to their whereabouts. This is my best friend’s life, her safety. I’m worried for her, but if even Gianni thinks it’s for the best that she not be with us for a little while, that’s gotta mean something. I know he hates her being gone as much as I do.
“What’s the point of being the boss if you can’t say fuck it and take off to parts unknown?”
“I would hardly call a luxury Hawaiian resortparts unknown.”
I can only scoff. “Semantics.”
“Anyway, we’d get bored with it.”
“I would like to test that theory.”
It’s so good to hear him laugh. The days we’ve spen here, in our little honeymoon haven, have loosened him up, to put it mildly. I’ve never seen him look so happy, almost carefree. No matter what we’re doing–sitting on the beach, swimming cating some of the most incredible food I’ve ever tasted–he’s playful, funny, lighthearted. He needed this after months of strain.
“Don’t act like your father wouldn’t be on the first light out here if he found out you weren’t
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coming back.” He follows that with a groan. “And here I am, thinking about Charles Cole while on my honeymoon.”
“If I didn’t know better, I would think he’s the one you’re interested in, not me.”
“You got me. This has all been a ploy to spend more time with your dad.”
I roll over to face him, and at first, it’s enough just to look at him. His skin is more tanned than ever, thanks to all the sun we’ve gotten. There’s a faint scruff on his cheeks, and he appears blissfully happy. He’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. “All kidding aside, this better than I could have ever imagined. Thank you.”
“None of it would be worth a damn without you. I’m the one who’s grateful.”
It’s not a surprise, the hand he begins sliding up my thigh. Like a creeping spider, only I don’t want to shoo him away. I start to melt against him before I can help myself. His touch has become as necessary as breathing, the most natural thing in the world. I close my eyes and soak in the pleasure of his love. It’s moments like this I find it hardest to believe this isn’t a happy dream I concocted.
But, no, it’s real. The slight breeze and the sound of waves hitting the sand and the impossibly soft sheets against my skin tell me it’s real. And we’ve earned it. We deserve it.
“As nice as that is,” I murmur, groaning when he caresses my ass, “if I don’t get some food in me soon, I won’t be good for anything, and we do have dinner to think about.” The light is already starting to get thinner, dimmer, telling me night will be falling any time now. No wonder my stomach’s starting to growl. I love not having to live by a clock.
“Even on my honeymoon, I have to wait to have you” he grumbles, but it’s a good–natured sound.
Rather than remind him of how we spent the late morning and early afternoon wrapped up in each other’s arms, I give him a playful shove. “Hey. We have to keep this baby fed, right?”
His humorous scowl softens, and now he strokes my belly gently, almost reverently. “Since you put it that way, we’d better get moving. What’s the baby want for dinner tonight?”
“Anything, so long as there’s a lot of it.”
“You know…” He rolls away from me and stands, and for a second, I can only lie back and soak in his beauty. Everything about him, from his chiseled muscles to his easy grace as he walks around the room, still fascinates me. I doubt I could ever get tired of looking at him. “I was reading during the flight over, and they say if you’re carrying a boy he requires more calories than a girl.”
“Really?”
“Something like a third more than a girl would.”
“Or maybe I’m just using the baby as an excuse to finally let loose and pig out a little.”
“I’m telling you,” he insists with a grin as he pulls on a pair of shorts, “it’s a boy. Mark my words.” “Whatever you say, doctor.” I know he’ll be happy either way, but for his sake, I hope it is. And I
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can’t help but imagine what it would be like to watch Gianni raising a little boy. The idea warms me inside like few things can.
“Right this way, Mr. and Mrs. Rossetti.” The hostess leads us to the table closest to the water, positioned at the far end of the outdoor dining room overlooking the beach. Lit torches and the lights hanging overhead give everything a romantic glow–or maybe that’s because I’m feeling romantic. Who wouldn’t on their honeymoon, especially in a place like this?
Once we’re seated, Gianni flashes me a roguish grin from across the table. “Mrs. Rossetti. I love the sound of that.”
“I love it more.” And I mean it.
“Remind me to keep you pregnant forever.”
“Oh? You think so?”
“You’re absolutely glowing.”
“It’s a trick of the lighting,” I tease. “That, and I’ve gotten more sun than usual.”
His dark eyes flare with desire. “Just the same, you’re lucky we made it out of the room.”
“Since when is that anything new?”
We have to put the conversation aside once our server approaches, but we can’t help giving each other sly looks as we order our entrees. I love the sense of always having a fun little secret. Though, considering the way Gianni keeps eyeing me, it’s probably not that much of a secret. We’re on our honeymoon, after all. I’m sure we’re not the first couple to lust over each other in public.
There’s a band playing on the beach, and by the time our mahi–mahi arrives, several people have finished their meals and wandered down to the sand to dance. As time goes on, the crowd grows until there are a few dozen people having fun while take the last bite of the light, buttery fish.
“You know,” I muse as I push the plate away before the impulse to lick it clean is too much to handle, “there’s one thing we’ve never done together.”
Right away, Gianni perks up. “Oh? I’m all ears.”
“I was going to say dance, you horn dog.”
His brows draw together. “I don’t dance, at least not in front of people.”
“There’s a first time for everything.”
“Caterina…” he groans like I asked him to castrate himself or something equally as awful. “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
“You’re not old.” I stand, holding out a hand. “Let’s at least go down and listen.”
“We can listen from here.” But it’s obvious from the way he fights back a grin that he’s only
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teasing me. Soon we’re hand in hand, wandering down the beach. There’s a half moon hanging in the night sky, and its silvery light paints the waves that crash up ahead. I could plop right down and stare at it until dawn. It’s magical.
A strong breeze stirs my hair and the flowy, ankle–length dress I’m wearing. “You smell incredible,” Gianni growls in my ear.
“Your desire for me is incorrigible.”
Still, when his hand grazes my bare back, a delicious shiver runs up my spine and goosebumps pebble my skin. Maybe I’m just as bad as he is. I can’t get enough of him either. That being said, I want there to be more to our honeymoon than falling into bed.
After a few songs, it seems as if even Gianni’s getting into it when his head starts bobbing up and down in time with the beat. I wonder how long it’s been since he loosened up and let himself have fun. Years, probably. He always has too much on his mind.
“See? I knewd get into the spirit once you got over yourself.”
His scowl makes me laugh before I start to sway to the irresistible rhythm. I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol since I found out about the baby, but there’s this natural buzz flowing through my veins.
“Now, this I can get into,” he growls, inching behind me and placing his hands on my waist while I move my hips. “Watching you dance. I’ll need a private show back in the room.”
It’s no surprise when he pulls me closer and a familiar bulge presses against my ass. Another shiver runs through me and there’s nothing to do in response by wiggle against him until he groans in my ear. Now we might as well be the only two people on the beach.
“You are so fucking hot.” His hands run up and down my sides while he grinds against me, his hot breath fanning across my neck with every ragged grunt. “Watching you move, feeling your body, I could fuck you here and now, in front of all these people.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
