Page 68 of Sins of Bliss
“I don’t want you to ever apologize for the decisions you made when you were trusting your own judgment. I trust your intuition, Vincenza. But from now forward, you need to trust mine. I willalwaysprotect, cherish, and love you.”
“You mean everything to me,” I whisper, the tears free flowing down my cheeks. “I love you so much.”
“And I love you, piccola ladra. Now come,” he says, wiping my tears again as he stands from the bed. Reaching down, he scoops me bridal style into his arms. “You have a bath to enjoy and I have breakfast to make.”
Carrying me into the bathroom, he deposits me into the steaming bathtub where the delicious scents waft around me, and I relax into the hot water with ease, my entire body succumbing to the comfort as Sly kisses the top of my head and retreats to make us something to eat.
Chapter 23
Sly
Two weeks in the city I adore, with the woman I am irrevocably in love with, is not enough time. If I could convince her to stay here forever, I would.
Verona with Vinnie is a dream. We’ve laid under the heat of the sun, basking in each other’s presence as we make love anywhere and everywhere we can.
We’ve acted as though we are tourists, sampling the cuisine and walking hand-in-hand through the popular destinations. Visiting Casa di Giulietta and seeing the architecture inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Strolling leisurely over the Ponte Pietra, and sitting at the top of Castel San Pietro to enjoy the sunset as we overlook the city.
Tomorrow, we leave Verona and travel back to New York, but today… I’ve saved the best for last. Today I hope to watch Vinnie’s eyes light up with wonder as I take her to the oldest library in the world, Biblioteca Capitolare. It has taken me nearly the full two weeks of our honeymoon to reserve the entire library to ourselves—something they were not inclined to allow at first.
Two hours is all we’re granted, but it is better than nothing.
Knowing Vincenza’s love for books, I could not allow her to leave my city without seeing its full history and beauty.
“Are you excited?” I ask, raising our connected hands to kiss hers. We have about five more minutes of walking before we arrive, and I can tell by the bounce in her step she’s full of anticipation for her surprise.
“I don’t see how you could have possibly saved the best for last, or so you say. Our honeymoon has been a dream, Sly. I couldn’t have imagined it any more perfectly.”
“Considering our wedding was not the way I would have planned it to be, the least I could do was give you a proper honeymoon, amore mio.”
She shoots me a quick sideways glance. “It certainly wasn’t what I dreamed of as a little girl but I’ve told you many times over the last couple of weeks—I wouldn’t have it any other way. The wedding doesn’t matter, it’s the marriage that does. Marrying you is all I’ve wanted since we met.”
“At age nine?” I quip, pressing my lips to her temple. Letting go of her hand, I wrap my arm around her shoulder and keep her close.
“Hmmm,” she hums. “Maybe not at age nine. Definitely at age thirteen. Probably not at seventeen, though, but I did want to kiss you then.”
Laughter erupts from my chest. “So many opportunities we had to betray our families. It is a wonder why we waited so long.”
“Right person, wrong time.” Vinnie shrugs, but a playful smile pulls at her lips.
We turn a corner, and Biblioteca Capitolare comes into view. Having seen it in person several times, I turn toward Vincenza to take in her expression, curious if any recognition will flash across her features. She scans her surroundings, but doesn’t seem to realize where we are. As we come to a stop in front of magnificent architecture, she looks over at me, expectant and curious.
“I couldn’t fathom the idea of bringing you to Verona knowing your love of literature, without bringing you to Biblioteca Capitolare. For the next two hours, the oldest library in the world lies at your fingertips, piccola ladra. To explore. To marvel in. Whatever you wish to do inside these walls will be granted.”
Vinnie’s eyes widen, and she pulls her gaze from me, looking up at the building. Her mouth opens and closes a couple of times before she looks at me with tears in her eyes. “Seriously?”
“Seriously,” I repeat, grazing my thumb over her cheek.
She takes me by surprise when she squeals in delight, jumping into my chest and flinging her arms around my neck as she peppers my face with kisses. I barely have time to embrace her before she’s grabbing me by the hand and pulling me into the building.
As we enter, immediately she sucks in a breath and freezes in place, just as awestruck as I am by the sheer beauty in the entrance of the biblioteca. The scent of worn leather and old parchment fills the air, and two grand staircases encircle each side, with a small reception desk and museum cases on the lower level. A man wearing a light blue button-down shirt smiles and closes the book he’s holding to greet us.
“Ciao. Benvenuti alla Biblioteca Capitolare. Siete i coniugi Lucchetti?”Hello. Welcome to Biblioteca Capitolare. Are you Mr. and Mrs. Lucchetti?
“Sì. Grazie per averci permesso di visitare la biblioteca in privato. Siamo in luna di miele e mia moglie lavora nell'editoria. Sono entusiasta di darle questa volta.”Yes. Thank you for allowing us to tour the library in private. We are on our honeymoon, and my wife works in publishing. I am thrilled to give her this time.
“Grazie per la tua generosa donazione. Siamo lieti di avervi alla Biblioteca Capitolare. Se hai bisogno di qualcosa, nonesitare a chiedere.”Thank you for your generous donation. We are happy to have you at Biblioteca Capitolare. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask.
“Grazie,” I tell the man, then turn back toward my wife. “Are you ready to explore, amore mio?”
