Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 68628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
When I roll over in bed that morning, Adriano is propped up on one elbow, looking at me, his eyes crinkling a bit around the edges. It's a new look for him—kind of like business casual, you might say—but I like it.
I like brooding, too. I like stern. I like boyish and playful. Because I love him.
Now that months have passed since the two of us started out with our baptism by fire, I feel every day unfolds like the pages of a story. As the time passes, who I am and who he is begin to evolve into who we are.
"Did you ever open those wedding gifts?" he asks curiously. I can already tell he has something up his sleeve because I know him. And Adriano might be fierce and ruthless, but he's a terrible liar. And even though he's not lying to me right now, I know that he's planning something.
I know exactly what he's talking about, only I don't remember what I did with them. I yawn and stretch. "What wedding gifts?"
The sun rises outside the window of our apartment, shining tendrils of light on the city before us. We've settled into this place, and I kind of think it's pretty cool that we live in such a simple home. We have the luxury of the club whenever we want it, open access to The Castle, and we travel, a lot. Someday, when we start a family, we’ll need something bigger. But for now, this is cozy and suits us well.
"I didn't know I liked to travel until I did it with you,” Adriano says.
I didn't know I liked to travel until I did it with my personal bodyguard.
"I spoke with the nurse this morning. Your mom is doing great."
I yawn. “When were you up?” We were up late, because… reasons. Adriano sometimes gets a wild idea and decides sleep is for the birds.
"When I made your coffee."
My mom is recovering from a bad head cold, but thankfully that's all she’s suffered from in months. She is as happy as I have ever seen her in her new place, a luxury facility with assisted living and memory care. We visit often, and I like knowing when I'm not there, she's in good hands.
And, of course, she loves Adriano. Who wouldn't, when all you see is the sexy Italian man who takes good care of you?
I'm the only one who also loves him for everything else, and I'm proud of that.
"I made you a special breakfast, too."
"Did you now?”
I grin, stretching my arms up overhead.
"Call me a sap, but I want to treat this as our first anniversary together."
"Babe, I would call you a lot of things, but sap isn't one of them." I smile. "I’m totally game. I didn't get you anything, though."
He rolls me over onto my back, straddles me, and kisses along my jawline as he growls in that sexy, husky, early-morning voice, "I already have what I need."
Half an hour later, I am still riding the aftershocks of ecstasy, tucked back in our bed under the covers, and he's bringing me breakfast.
We like simple meals like eggs, bacon, and toast. Oatmeal with fruit or nuts. Simple is good. We're not the kind of people that need fancy.
Well, unless it's chocolate.
I eat the lightly buttered toast, the crispy, salty bacon, and we share a golden omelet before he tells me something else. "We’re going to The Castle today."
I love The Castle. In the colder winter months, the weather is milder because of the ocean effect. And even though the wind whips too hard off the water for me to do anything like walk along the shore, much less swim, it's beautiful to look at, and the sea salt in the air makes me feel alive.
"Wear the ivory dress, baby." He picked it out yesterday when we were out. I’m not sure why.
"For dinner at The Castle?" I say curiously. I am well aware of the fact that something is going to happen at The Castle, but I live to give him shit about things.
An hour later, we're driving in one of the most beautiful cars I've ever seen. Plush leather seats in a sleek interior, the engine purrs when he steps on the gas. I don't even know what it's called because I'm not a car girl. But it's the one luxury Adriano affords himself, so I love it when he gets a new one.
"Who will be there today?"
"We'll see." He shrugs, but there's that twinkle in his eye again.
When we arrive, I stop breathing. I stare. "Alright, babe. What is going on here?"
The Castle is decorated as if for a wedding. White roses sit in large vases everywhere I look. It's too cold for an outdoor wedding, but that hasn't stopped them from decorating with decadent, extravagant bouquets and silk ribbons. When we get inside, I'm unprepared for what meets us.