Page 37 of His Vow
His grin grows wider, and my suspicions deepen. Pushing off from the counter, he crosses the distance between us in two easy strides and wraps his arms around me. I’m not sure if I’m stilldreaming or if this is real, because this hug could actually be better than waking up next to him.
“Mmm,” he murmurs, burying his nose in the curve of my neck.
It tickles, and I giggle as he nuzzles deeper. “Are you sniffing me?”
My hair muffles his reply, but not enough that I can’t make out the words. “Yep, and I’m not going to apologize for it. You smell good. Like sunshine, flowers, and a hint of cinnamon sugar.” His shoulders rise on another inhale and drop on the exhale. “Eau de Lucia is better than anything the French fragrance houses could create.”
I throw my head back, laughing loudly, giving him unfettered access to the soft skin on my neck. He peppers light kisses along the column. I’ve no idea what brought about this change, and honestly, I don’t care because it feels wonderful.
“Well, that was a strangely specific description,” I whisper, melting beneath the onslaught of kisses.
When he’s finished ravaging my neck to his satisfaction—and mine—he raises his head, grinning again. “To answer your earlier question.”What question?My brain turns to mush when he kisses me. “I was booking us flights to Capri.” He stops kissing me long enough to say, “I think it’s time I took my wife on a honeymoon.”
One of his eyebrows rises in question, like I might disagree. Not a chance.
“Really? We’re going to Capri? When?”
“As soon as you can get yourself dressed and packed.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “And after my meeting with Gio, which I’m going to be late for”—he lifts his arm high behind my head to check his TAG Heuer—“in six minutes.”
“I love—” I stop myself before I blurt out something that could ruin the moment. “—love this idea.”
“Great. Now move it.” He releases me, turns to collect his laptop, and walks to the door, stopping as he adds, “I’ll ask them to send up a coffee and croissant. And I’ll see you in about an hour.”
Then he’s gone, and I’m left to catch my breath.
Wow, a honeymoon on Capri.
Chapter fifteen
Antonio
Gio is already waiting for me at a table over by one of the picture windows with a view over the Arno. He sees me and checks his watch. He’s always banging on about being on time, and the smirk I direct at him when he glances up again tells him I noticed.
“Morning, big brother.” I greet him with all the enthusiasm I woke up feeling this morning.
For the first time, Lucia has opened up to me about what happened with Bruno. I’ve waited years to know that my reaction that day was right. Hell, the asshole probably deserved worse.
While those who knew I’d punched Bruno appeared to blame me—something I never understood, and even had me believing I’d overreacted—I now know I didn’t. Lucia was grateful I showed up, happy that I punished him. And that’s what matters.
Gio faces me across the table, a frown marring his features. “You’re happy this morning.”
“And you’re looking as miserable as always.” It’s a bit of a stretch, when really, his misery only started after our fatherinvoked the marriage contract between him and Lucia. “I’d have thought you’d be happy, too, after Luce and I married, but instead you’re worse. What’s going on with you and Tori?”
“Nothing. And I don’t want to talk about it,” he grumbles.
It looks like his attempt to repair the damage to their relationship hasn’t worked, and maybe it’s time he was forced to talk about it. I love my brother, but sometimes it frustrates the hell out of me when he keeps shit bottled up inside.
“Are you just going to give up on her? Because that doesn’t seem to be working out for you.”
His shoulders slump, and he drops his gaze to stare at the linen cloth. It hurts to see him so dejected. Gio is the toughest businessperson I know and an all-around good guy. He deserves to be happy, and if Tori is the woman who’ll make him happy, then I want to help. And that goes for Leo and Nico too.
“Gio, you need to fight for her. Show her that she matters.”
He glances up. “That was the plan, but I fucked it up.”
“We’re all guilty of that.” I think of my take-things-slow approach with Lucia that only had us drifting farther apart instead of bringing us together. A mistake I’m hoping to rectify with our mini honeymoon in Capri. “But, bro, it’s like business. If something doesn’t work, you just try again with a new plan.”
A glimmer of a smile eases the permanent scowl he’s been wearing lately. “I appreciate the pep talk.” He sucks in a deep breath, then releases it on a sad sigh. “But let’s forget about me. I want to know about last night. What was going on with you and Bruno? I know you don’t get along, but you looked like you wanted to hurt him …”
