Page 142 of King Of Order

‘Cin cin!’ she cheered, and we all followed suit, the shot flutes chiming together as we downed the sweet, sharp liquid in one go. It burned in the best way, warming me from the inside out.

I took it all in—the feel of the sun on my skin, the flavors of the food, the sound of birds chirping in the distance, and the faint crash of waves from the nearby shore. It was as if the world had slowed down, and in this moment, all was well.

No tension, no fear, just the simple pleasure of being surrounded by people who welcomed me wholeheartedly into their lives.

Rio caught my eye from across the room, a soft smile playing on his lips as he raised his glass to me. My heart swelled with love for him—this man who had given me something I didn’t even know I had been missing.

Family. Joy. Home.

As the afternoon wore on and the sun began to dip toward the horizon, we lingered, plates empty but hearts full.

I leaned back in my chair, letting the day’s warmth seep into my bones, and for the first time in a long time, I relaxed, so at peace.

Under the vines and fading sunlight, I sensed I’d unearthed precious treasure that would stay with me forever.

When the ocean breeze became too cool, we retreated into the villa’s living room, where the evening unfolded in a blur of joy.

The cake was a success. It was moist, sweet, and adorned with fresh berries, which the whole family enthusiastically dug into.

I helped my man blow out his candles and enjoyed a long, swooning kiss as he swept me into his arms.

Surprisingly, I found myself laughing more than I had in years.

I danced with Cleo and Mia as Rio’sfratelloteased and twirled us around the room. The music flowed, my nerves faded, and soon, I was lost in the moment.

I started drawing caricatures of everyone on napkins between glasses of wine and bites of cake. Before I realized it, I had a pile of exaggerated, silly versions of Rio’s brothers, Mauri with his cat and even Gianni.

Each one drew howls of glee, and I sensed their affection for me growing with every line I sketched. It was a strange and wonderful sentiment—this acceptance.

As night grew late and we huddled together on the terrace, the ocean stretching out in front of us, I noticed a monumental shift.

I wasn’t just a guest anymore.

The Calibreses—Rio’s family—opened their arms to me. They appreciated me for who I was, how I loved Rio and the happiness I brought into his life.

I glanced at my eyes on me with that deep, steady love reflected in his pale baby blues. Emotion bloomed inside me. A scorched, heated ardor so sharp and cutting, I gasped.

He gave me a lazy, sensual smile, and I held his gaze, which sustained the promise of passion later on.

Eventually I pulled away, slicing eyes to Cleo by my side as she and I chatted about gardening, a mutual hobby.

The night air was cool against my skin, but I remained wrapped in the heat of affection, friendship, and family.

The essence of what I’d always dreamed of.

As the Calibrese famiglia all sat laughing, singing, and sharing stories beneath the starlit sky, I was certain, without a doubt, I was the luckiest woman in the world for being part of sheer, raw beauty.

Chapter 30

VALERIO

‘Icould do this for hours, make love to you for days, non-stop,’ I whispered into her neck as I drove into her.

She was up against the bathroom tiles in my villa suite, her head back and her tawny hair wet and plastered on the white and gold marble.

Tits heaving, one of her peaks in my mouth as I suckled with abandon.

One thigh canted over my hip as she angled herself so I’d drive deeper, piston with everything my taut body was ready to give, everything she needed.

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