Dressed, Sam combed Gabriela's curls, pinning some up, leaving others down until Gabriela looked like the princess she'd always wanted to be. And Sam, looking at her reflection in the mirror, thought simple was best and drew her long hair into a loose knot at her nape, before softening the style by pulling a few tendrils out. A little makeup, just a touch, and then pale gold shoes and gold and pearl chandelier earrings on her ears and she was ready.
Then just as Sam turned away from the mirror, a whooshof air danced across the room. Both Sam and Gabby turned toward the balcony's open doors. A breeze was blowing the curtains at the windows and the white silky sheers fluttered.
"There they go," Gabby said, turning to Sam. "Our angels rushing through the sky."
And as the sheers fluttered again, Sam could almost picture Cabby's angels hurrying through the night.
Cristiano met them in the garden on the point. Wearing a classic black dinner jacket and slacks with an elegant white dress shirt, he looked gorgeous, and relaxed- But it was more than re*laxed, Sam thought, taking Gabby's hand as they approached Cristiano and the officiate. He looked..,happy. There was no music, no processional, no ceremony to hide behind, and for that, Sam was grateful.
She hadn't wanted any*thing that would detract from what they were doing. Or why they were doing it. Today was all about Gabby. They were starting a new life as a family, and they were putting Gabby first because it was a good and right thing to do.
Despite that knowledge, Sam felt a flurry of nerves as the vows were recited. She couldn't believe she was going to do this. She couldn't believe she was going to get married again. It was ludicrous. And thrilling.
She was stunned and overwhelmed. Hopeful and terrified. Nervous, emotional, tearful.
My God. She felt like a real bride.
And then the brief ceremony was over and a heavy ring weighted her finger and it was done.
They were married. Man and wife. Cristiano moved closer. He tipped her chin up to kiss her and Sam heard cheers and whis*tling but he then hesitated, his mouth so close to hers she could feel his warmth and smell his spicy clean fragrance.
Then she saw his lips curve and that brief, faint smile said ev*erything and heat coursed through her. That smile of his was al*ways her undoing, making her face burn and her lower lip throb and her body feel heavy and empty in a way it never had before. Then his head dropped and his lips covered hers and she felt a flare of bright white heat, her lips tingling.
The kiss was magical—sharp, hot, intense—and she was no longer at the villa but transported somewhere else, someplace that felt like heaven on earth. His arms circled her, brought her close, brought her against his hard frame and she felt him in a way she'd never felt him before.
He was so big, strong, and the shape of his body was new to her but welcome.
Sighing, she pressed closer and as his hand lingered low on her back shivers raced up and down her spine and she didn't want the kiss to ever end.
She'd never thought a man could make a woman feel so ten*der and so eager and so beautiful and so alive.
And then Cristiano was lifting his head and a trumpet sounded, followed by a violin and then an accordion. Tears filled Sam's eyes as she realized it was the villa staff members play*ing for them, the staff who'd brought instruments from home to give them music. The music was bright and joyful, celebratory and bittersweet and it was so unexpected, and so touching, that Sam couldn't hold the tears back.
"Signora Bartolo," Cristiano murmured, running his thumb be*neath her eyes to dry her tears, "my staff and I welcome you home,"
And with his arm still around her, he turned her to face his staff who'd gathered at the edge of the garden, many wearing their very best clothes, their faces wreathed with pleasure and tears continued to fill Sam's eyes.
"Grazie,"she said to Cristiano. "Merci"she said to the French-speaking staff. And it was as beautiful a wedding day as she could have ever imagined.
But the celebration didn't end there. The villa's chef outdid himself preparing their wedding dinner. Considering there were only three of them, and one was a sleepy little girl, it was a gor*geous meal started off with hors d'ouvres of caviar and sour cream on blini, followed by mignon of beef tenderloin with gar*lic roasted eggplant and tomato basil brochette, and then finished with mixed greens with lobster, grilled artichoke hearts and car*rots.
"This it too much food," Sam protested as the courses kept coming and Gabriella wandered away to locate Marcelle and find something more interesting to do than eat.
"As you can tell, Chef Sacchi is delighted you've decided to join our family."
They were sitting in the dining room and normally it was a huge formal space but villa staff had hung white and aqua chiffon panels from the ceiling creating a romantic tent. White lights were wrapped around bare tree branches and candles and white orchids glowed in the table center.
Cristiano took her hand, lifted it to his lips, "I'm delighted you've joined our family, although it's a very small family."
Sam's heart lurched at the brush of his lips across her skin. "Small families are good. Not quite so intimidating."
"Your family was small, too."
"Very."
"But at least we know family's important" Cristiano added, turning her hand over to kiss the inside of her wrist.
His kiss on her wrist was like fire licking her veins. She shiv*ered, breathless, heart thumping, tension growing. She was scared. Scared of all she didn't know. Scared of all she'd never had. Scared of all she'd never done right.
And as his lips traveled across her inner wrist again, the fire raced from her wrist to her belly and legs, making her ache in places she hadn't thought she could ache. Somehow he made her feel so empty, empty and restless and she didn't know how to quiet the need.
She felt his gaze and sucked in a breath as she looked up into his face. In his eyes she saw hunger and interest.
He wanted her.
Sam shuddered again, goose bumps covered her skin. Her mouth dried, her heart slowed and it took an effort to clear her head, gather her thoughts, and put a tight leash on her emotions.
"After we cut the cake, we'll be leaving the villa" Cristiano said, releasing her hand to refill her wineglass. "I've had our staff pack you an overnight bag so there's nothing you have to do."
"We're leaving the villa?"
"We can't very well honeymoon here,"
"A honeymoon," she echoed faintly.
His gaze narrowed slightly, his expression revealing amuse*ment. "It is our wedding night."
Oh, yes, back to all the things she didn't know. Sam's pulse quickened, fueled by nerves and fear and adrenaline. "What about Gabby?"
"Marcelle will be staying with her and all the villa staff dote on her. We won't be gone long. Just a night or two."
A night or two. Alone, all alone, with Cristiano. It wasn't a death sentence but it was terrifying.
Sam's head swam and it had nothing to do with the Pinot Noir they were drinking.
But before Sam could dissolve into puddles of panic, Chef Sacchi appeared from the kitchen rolling out a trolley with the most gorgeous three-tiered wedding cake Sam had ever seen.
06-12-07, 03:15 PM
جديد مواضيع قسم الارشيف
العرض العادي
