Page 83 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 1

I was not alone. We would handle anything that came our way…together.

A family unit.

“Now, by the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, I pronounce you husband and wife. Giovanni, you may kiss the bride.”

“Hey there, you sleeping?” Giovanni’s deep voice was a low murmur against my hairline as I stuttered awake.

The back of the limo was dark. Gio’s tuxedo coat covered my upper body, the top tucked against my neck and shoulders, keeping me warm.

“We’re at the airport?” I frowned as I looked out the window.

“After the wedding, you said you wanted to go home. I assumed you meant Manhattan,” he lifted his chin to where his private plane was parked.Falco Corporationwas scrawled along the fuselage. The pilot and crew were waiting by the stairs for us to board.

“What about our things?”

“I had management at the hotel pack our bags and prepare them for our departure. I hope I didn’t overstep,” he said, worry in his tone.

I shook my head. “No, it’s great. I do want to go back to New York. We have a lot of work to get done there.”

He cupped my face and caressed my cheekbone with his thumb. “Yes, we do. But let us not forget, it’s our wedding night.” He grinned.

My heart started pounding. “Oh?”

“Come Mrs. Myers-Falco, dinner and a flight await,” he said in that smooth way that always made me and the rest of the single office staffers back at work want to sigh like the smitten Giovanni fan club we were.

My new husband was ridiculously handsome, über rich, and incredibly intelligent. Which was why he was constantly on the media’s radar for Best In Business, Man Of The Year, and often talked about as the most sought-after bachelor in New York.

People were going to flip when they realized he was officially off the market. Especially after all the crap the tabloids posted about him and Bianca when the wedding cancellationannouncement went out, and again when they found out she’d married my brother only a month later.

Gio got out of the limo, walked around to my side, opened the door, and offered me his hand. I placed my hand in his, knowing I’d probably follow him anywhere. Things changed after the intimacy we shared in that auction room and when we said,I do. I no longer thought of Gio as my brother’s best friend or my business associate.

He was now my husband.

My husband.

I followed closely as he led me up the stairs of the plane. A table with a white linen cloth and silverware had already been set so I chose a seat there. He sat directly across from me.

“Buckle up, baby. It’s going to be quite the ride.” He winked.

Before I could ask why, the flight attendant approached with a bottle of champagne and two glasses.

“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Falco,” the petite woman offered as she set the flutes on the table, opened the champagne, and poured us each a glass. “Your dinner will be brought when we reach cruising altitude. I’ve already turned down the bed and stowed your luggage in the wardrobe.”

“Thank you, we won’t be needing anything until dinner,” Gio stated.

“I’ll make myself scarce until then,” she smiled softly, and disappeared behind a curtain near the cockpit.

Giovanni lifted his glass. “To us?” He tilted his head in question, his gaze laser-focused on me.

“To finding the truth,” I reminded him about what was at stake for me, but then realized he was attempting to be romantic, and I was screwing it up. “And to us.” I tapped my flute against his.

We both sipped the cool, crisp champagne as we took off.

* * * *

We chatted about nothing and everything mundane as our dinner was served. Seared, herb crusted halibut with a delicious lemon-based cream sauce, and grilled vegetables paired with a polenta cake, all to die for.

“Everything was exceptional,” I complimented as the attendant came in carrying a single plate with my very favorite dessert of all time. Chocolate dipped strawberries. I licked my lips. “Is that what I think it is?”

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