Page 40 of A Touch of Fate

The cake was as delicious as I’d expected. Azzurra had sprinkled pine nuts on top, and if I wasn’t mistaken, she’d even added some ground pine nut to the dough. I closed my eyes to really savor the richness of the chocolate. When I opened my eyes, Samuel watched me with an intense look that made me blush hard.

After lunch, Ines, Sofia, and I moved out to the porch. I turned on the gas fireplace. We looked out over the lake and allowed the silence to settle around us for a few minutes. The men had retreated to Samuel’s office, a big room with a desk,cozy leather couches, and a fireplace, to discuss business and probably have a drink.

Azzurra came out. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Could you ask my husband to make me a hanky-panky? I’m sure Samuel has everything it needs in his office.”

My eyebrows shot up. I had a very different image in mind when I thought about hanky-panky.

Azzurra nodded, then glanced at us.

“Amaretto sour for me. Samuel can make it,” Sofia said without missing a beat despite Ines’s curious look.

I had drunk two glasses of wine for lunch, so I definitely couldn’t have anything else. However, I didn’t want to be the only one who didn’t order anything. “Uhh…what would you recommend?”

Azzurra looked like a deer in the headlights. “Espresso martini?”

I nodded, even if I’d never had one before, and it sounded like a combination for sleepless nights.

Azzurra disappeared.

Ines sighed. “You’re both under twenty-one. I’m pretty sure I should stop you from drinking.”

Sofia huffed. “We can be married off to men ten years our senior who kill for fun and work, and we can bear their babies. I think it’s fine, Mom.” She hadn’t said it meanly, but I didn’t miss the bitter note in her tone.

What was Danilo doing? Sofia was such a sweet and kind girl. They had seemed to get along better yesterday and today.

Ines sighed again. “I hope you’re at least happy with your marriage so far?”

I blushed. What could I say? “Samuel’s been very kind so far.”

Sofia gave me a doubtful look, but Ines seemed relieved to hear it.

Not long after, Azzurra returned with a tablet and three glasses.

“You can go home now. You worked so hard today,” I said with a grateful smile as I took the espresso martini.

Azzurra gave a small nod and slipped away.

Ines, Sofia, and I clinked glasses and then took a sip. The cocktail was delicious but way too strong for me. I put it down on the side table. I didn’t want to risk being drunk on our second night as a married couple. Though some liquid courage wouldn’t be the worst. I’d really love to be intimate with Samuel again, even if I was still a little sore, but I wasn’t sure if he’d initiate anything.

Danilo appeared in the doorway. Sofia looked up at him with a pinched expression. “Are we leaving already?”

“No,” he said matter-of-factly, as warm as a piece of brick. His eyes found mine. “I’d like to talk to you, Emma.”

I stifled a small smile. I would have been surprised if that wouldn’t have been the case, but I would have to give him a piece of my mind regarding Sofia. If he thought he could meddle in my marriage, then he couldn’t expect me not to do the same with his.

I followed Danilo into the living room. He turned to me, his expression softer but also filled with a deep brotherly concern. “Is there anything I should know?”

I raised my eyebrows, amused. “I’m sure there are plenty of things in the world you should show a greater interest in.”

Danilo moved closer and got down on his haunches in front of me. “Last night, I couldn’t stop wondering if I should have stopped this marriage from happening.”

“You were the one who agreed to it in the first place, Danilo.”

His expression became wary. “Did he treat you right?”

A blush crept up my throat and cheeks. I couldn’t hold Danilo’s gaze. “He treated me like a wife should be treated by her husband.”

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