Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 126682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
I brush a hand over her soft, downy hair. “She’s so beautiful.”
Saverio kisses my shoulder. “Just like her mother.”
I turn to face him. “Thank you for this.” I point in the direction of the room where Rosemary sits. “Not only for the party, but also for getting a nanny. You thought about everything, didn’t you?” Searching his eyes, I admit, “I’m still battling to get used to you without the eyepatch.”
“It’ll grow on you.”
“I don’t care either way.” I cup his scarred cheek. The damaged skin is bumpy under my palm. “You’re perfect to me with or without the patch. What matters is what you want.”
“The only thing that matters to me, tesoro, is your opinion.”
Wow.
I don’t know what to say. He’s never been so boldly honest with me. Neither has he said all these things that are so beautiful they hurt in the good kind of way that makes me want to cry. I want to ask what happened, what caused this sudden change, but he takes my hand and pulls me past Rosemary back to the festivities where I’m quickly swallowed by the mob.
Not being a fan of huge parties, I enjoy myself nevertheless because despite the big number of guests, the gathering is intimate. We know each other like only people who shared life and death situations can. There’s no room for pretense. There’s no need. It’s different than at Elena’s wedding where people were divided into sides. There’s no Raphael to create tension, only the shadow of his existence hanging over us, but for tonight, I push the thought away. For once, I want to have fun. Saverio and Nicole deserve nothing less for their trouble.
I finally manage to track Nicole down an hour later when I spot her talking to the mixologist.
“Make sure you stock up on ice,” she says when I reach them. “The guys are switching to brandy, and we don’t want to run out. Get word to one of the waiters if you’re running low, and he’ll send a fresh batch over from the kitchen.”
“The kind of brandy they’re having is the kind you drink neat,” the barman says.
She props a hand on her hip. “You don’t know these men like I do. They don’t give a shit about the brandy drinking protocol that’s dictated by the price of the bottle. Just get the ice.”
“Hey.” I touch her arm. “You’re working too hard. You’ve been running around all night.”
“Anya,” she beams, taking me into another big hug. “Are you having fun?” She pouts. “Please tell me you’re having fun.”
I pull away with a laugh. “Everything is perfect. Thank you for not only taking care of all the arrangements but also for keeping it a secret from me. Saverio told me this amazing evening is all your doing.”
“He’s paying, so thank him.” She grins. “I’m just a damn good event organizer.”
“There’s no arguing that.” I take her elbow and pull her away from the bar. “Now come join the fun.”
“Isn’t it obvious?” She makes a face. “I am having fun. Bossing people around is my idea of enjoying an evening.”
“It’ll make me happy if you sit on your butt for a few seconds. Those heels are gorgeous, but they must be killing your feet.”
Logan heads toward us, cutting in with, “Saverio is looking for you, Anya.” He says to his wife, “The guys are ready to open the dance floor.”
“Not before we’ve served the cake,” she squeals, running past me in the direction of the kitchen.
Logan shrugs. “That’s my wife for you. She loves to run the show.”
Saverio appears next to me. Putting his palm on my lower back, he presses his lips against my ear and says in a raspy voice, “There you are.”
Goosebumps break out over my arms. The heat of his body wraps around me, inviting a shiver. I drink in the smell of his spicy cologne, wanting to drown in it. I turn around and wrap my arms around his neck, but I only get in a small kiss before a waiter wheels in a giant three-tier cake with twenty-five candles on the top. It’s a beautiful creation of artful layers of apricot-colored ganache decorated with sugared mini oranges and figs. I’m already regretting having to cut it.
“Make a wish,” Saverio says, looking at me as if he wants to eat me instead of the cake.
My skin heats under his bold stare, my body coming alive for him. Desire trickles down my belly and gathers between my legs. Only he can have this effect on me—in a room full of people no less.
Closing my eyes, I wish for one thing only. I wish that our little family will always be safe. We’re in this now, for better or for worse, by free will and by choice, and all I can do is give it my best shot. I’ll always do whatever is necessary to protect the people I love.