My husband rolled his eyes while Papà looked at my new brother-in-law like he was contemplating murder.
“Fuck whatever trend you’re talking about,” Papà spat.
I slanted a look to my mama, who pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head, exasperated.
Enzo seized the moment and stood abruptly, his chair nearly tumbling behind him. “We’re done with toasts.” My mouth parted in shock. “My wife and I have a honeymoon to get to. The rest of you, enjoy the celebrations.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I hissed under my breath. “Besides, I’m not packed.”
“Just take whatever toiletries you’ll need. We can buy the rest.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m not going.”
“What about the dance?” my baby sister inquired, although truthfully, I didn’t give a shit about the wedding dance. This day had been a nightmare from the start. “Please, I’ve been looking forward to it.”
Enzo’s eyes darted to Amara and he dipped his chin obligingly.
“Anything for my new sister-in-law.” Her face lit up, and a part of me softened toward this stranger who was now my husband.
He signaled to the band that stood off to the side and mostly out of sight. The first notes of a song traveled through the air and I stared at my husband in surprise.
“That’s an odd choice,” I remarked, hearing Andrea Bocelli’s song fill the lawn. “Vivo per lei hardly sums up the two of us. We hardly know each other.”
He extended his hand. “We’ll remedy that soon.”
I took his hand, seeing him in a new light somehow, as he led me onto the dance floor.
His tall frame and broad shoulders caged me in as he pulled me closer. We moved as one, our bodies brushing together, and every touch from him ignited a grudging fire beneath my skin.
The tension sizzled and my skin tightened in anticipation. For what, I didn’t know.
All I could do was feel. His strength. His breath. His body.
I was getting drunk off his presence, his musky scent seeping into my cells and doing shit to me it had no business doing.
It was me who broke the silence, unable to bear another second of the unspoken words that bubbled between us. “Feel free to seek other women.”
He let out a sardonic breath. “Why would I when I havethewoman?”
My eyes lifted to his. “What do you mean?”
“I’m married. I won’t look at, let alone touch, another woman as long as I live.”
“But I’m giving you permission.”
“No, you’re looking for ways to end this before it even starts. You’re my woman, my wife. I’ll only kiss you, only touch and fuck you. Until my dying breath.”
He pulled me even closer, my breasts pressing against his abdomen.
My cheeks heated. “Is this your vow?”
“It’s my promise.” Panic squeezed my chest. Something was afoot here, and I couldn’t help but feel like I was missing a very important detail. “I’m yours now, and you’re mine.”
“And if I don’t want to be yours?” I breathed. “If I run?”
His jaw clenched and his shoulders tensed. “I’ll chase you down. I’ll follow you to the ends of this earth, Penelope Marchetti, and bring you back with me.”
“You’re seriously disturbed.”More than disturbed.