Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 108926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
“I knew, Gianna. I felt you before I even laid eyes on you. I was against a young, single woman as a nanny for Sophia. I didn’t want to deal with crushes, or money hungry women looking to live off of my money and notoriety.” It wasn’t ego that had propelled those thoughts, it was experience. I’d been tired of fending them off. “Then the agency called, and the woman convinced me to at least meet with you. I was as shocked as anyone when I agreed.” I paused and gazed into her green pools, willing her to see the depth of my sincerity. “So, you see? You were mine before you ever stepped into my home.”
A sweet smile graced her face and she leaned forward to brush her lips over mine. “I love you,” she whispered.
She started to pull away and I chased her lips, sealing our mouths together, deepening the kiss until we were both shaking with need. I was just about ready to wrap her legs around me and take her against the wall when we were interrupted by a knock on my door.
I cursed and tore my lips away to glare at whoever had just put their life in danger. Enzo looked away, clearly uncomfortable and wary of my reaction. Smart man.
“What?” I barked.
His eyes darted to Gianna, before landing back on me with a meaningful look. I sighed in aggravation and gripped her hips to lift her off of my lap, and both of us stood. With one look from me, Enzo scurried into the hallway so I could say goodbye to my fiancée in privacy.
“Have fun, mia dolce,” I murmured through another kiss. “And, when you’re shopping, don’t forget about the wedding night.”
I winked and laughed when she blushed yet again. “In fact, make sure to get enough for a whole honeymoon.” I shifted my head to the side, sliding our cheeks together as I brought my lips to her ear. “You might want to bring extras because I can guarantee I’ll have ruined plenty of lingerie by the end of our trip.”
A tiny shudder wracked her petite frame, and I felt the muscles of her face lift with a smile. Mmmm, a whole week with my naughty temptress. I couldn’t wait.
Chapter Twenty-Five
ANNA
The week flew past, but somehow everything seemed to fall perfectly into place so Nic and I would have a beautiful but small wedding. Seated at a table in the private room at The Modern, a beautiful restaurant in Midtown, surrounded by my family, I couldn’t imagine the strings Nic had pulled to make it all happen, let alone how he’d managed to secure an appointment for the priest from his church to perform the ceremony.
Every dish served, from the butternut squash risotto to the seared scallops and roasted beef tenderloin, had been beyond amazing. I didn’t think I’d had a meal quite so good before. I’d eaten so much that my stomach almost hurt. But that didn’t stop me from sampling the desserts the waiter placed on the table. Delicious French butter cakes, molten chocolate doughnut holes, crème fraîche cheesecake—they were impossible to resist.
“Hurry up and finish your dessert, darling,” my mom urged. “I want enough time to steal you away for your last hoorah before we head back to the house.”
“No bachelorette party,” Nic growled, glaring at her.
“It’s not like I said I was taking her to see male strippers,” she huffed. “I’m her mother for goodness sakes, and she can’t even drink because she’s pregnant. What kind of trouble do you think I’m going to get her into?”
“I’m sure your men would appreciate the opportunity to take you out while Anna is otherwise occupied,” my dad offered, jerking his head to where several of Nic’s guys were seated across the room from us. They had been able to enjoy the meal, separately from the family, while Devon and his crew were on alert outside.
My heart dropped at the thought of the kind of trouble Nic and the guys could get up to while I went home with my parents. I didn’t think he’d do anything wrong, but I still didn’t like the idea of him roaming a nightclub, or heaven forbid a strip club. Nic was way too hot not to attract attention from any woman in his vicinity. Feminine eyes followed him wherever he went, I’d seen it myself.
“Chin up, bellissima,” Nic murmured in my ear. “I have no need for a bachelor party. The only person I want to celebrate our upcoming nuptials with tonight is my blushing bride.”
I dropped my head onto his chest, uncaring of who was watching. “But aren’t they going to expect you to do the traditional bachelor thing?” I mumbled into his shirt.
“Their expectations don’t concern me, Gianna. What you and I want is the only thing that matters.”