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“I would adore that,” she says, gushing, all smiles as we head down to the cellar. When the lights sense us and come on, lighting up the entire area, she gasps. “Oh my!”
“It’s spectacular, isn’t it?” I never tire of seeing the marvels that the cellar holds.
Scanning the large room, she finally looks up at me. “You have an amazing home, Carlo.”
The blue pools in her eyes shine as she smiles widely. I could look at her gorgeous face forever, but now is not the time to get lost in the woman. “So, let’s find the wine we’ll drink.”
“Yes, let’s find the perfect bottle for you to share with your wife. It should be as perfect as the marriage will be. This is a great cornerstone to build the rest of the wedding around. It will be a grand wedding that both of you will remember fondly forever. I promise you only great things will come from this wedding.”
“I believe you, Isabella.” Briefly, I cradle her face and gaze at her delicate features, then pull my hand away before it can get weird. “You were made for this type of work.”
Her hand moves to her heart, and she glows with pride. “Thank you, Carlo. You have no idea how much that means to me. I want to be the best wedding planner in New York, which is a huge deal. Doing this wedding is setting me up for so much more. I can’t thank you enough.”
“It’s me who should be thanking you. You’ve made things so easy for us.” Moving us further along into the cellar, I gesture to the red wine section. “I’m sure you’ll find something here in this area.”
She kneels in front of the lower rack and begins searching the labels for what she wants. “So, where are you two going to honeymoon?”
“Wherever she wants.” I don’t care where we go. I don’t care if we stay home. All I care about is getting married and beginning to make the family my legacy requires.
“Has she given you any ideas about where she might want to go?” Pulling out a bottle, she sets it to the side and then goes back to search for the perfect bottle.
“None.” Leaning back against the wall, I pull my cell from my pocket to check my emails while I’m waiting.
“You sound a bit disinterested in the honeymoon, Carlo.”
I look down to find her scowling at me, and it makes me laugh. “By the look on your face, I can see that you feel the honeymoon is very important.”
“And you don’t?” She clasps her hands together as if praying.
“I’m sure we can figure out where we want to go—if we want to go anywhere. This is a lovely home, after all. I have everything we need right here. A spa with world-class masseuses. A theater where we can be entertained by movies that haven’t even been seen in theaters yet. I can get any cast of any Broadway production to perform right here if I want.” Turning my attention back to my emails, I see some I have to respond to.
Rising, she checks out wine bottles on higher racks and becomes silent. It shouldn’t bother me, but somehow it does. I feel a little like she’s disappointed in me over the lack of honeymoon plans, which is silly and, quite frankly, none of her business.
Going back to my response to my cousin’s email, I let him know I’ll be sending him a truckload of cigars and cigarettes for his casinos. “You like to gamble?” I ask, just to start her talking again.
“Not really.” She runs her hands through her hair, then pushes it back, away from her face. “Why do you ask?”
“My cousin, Giovanni, has casinos. I thought you might like to check one out sometime.” I’m focused on tapping in some instructions about something I need my cousin to get for me, and then I notice her staring at me with wide eyes, her mouth agape. “What?”
“I hope I’m reading this wrong, but it kind of sounds like you’d like me to go with you to a casino.”
“And what if I would like that?”
“Um, so much is wrong with that, Carlo. You’re about to be a married man. You’re engaged.”
Fuck! Oh yeah, I’m getting married.
I can’t let her know I was actually asking her out. “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just that I have a stake in my cousin’s business, and sending new customers his way is a thing I do. You shouldn’t take the things I say out of context. I’m about to be a married man, as you pointed out.”
Her cheeks begin to glow red with embarrassment. Even flushed cheeks look good on her. “Sorry. I feel foolish now.”
“Don’t. I have this way about me that makes women think I want them when I don’t. That’s all. It’s a gift and a curse.”
“Especially now that you’re getting married.” With a short nod, she seems to be back to her sweet self. “Anyway, you’re a wealthy man who’s obviously well-traveled and a bit on the exotic side. You kind of exude sexuality and power. You’re the epitome of an Italian stallion.”
Of all the things I have been called, that’s not one of them. “If you say so, Isabella. Want to know my take on you?”
Looking up at the ceiling, she shakes her head. “I know I might come off as confident, but I’m pretty insecure. I don’t know if I can take anything negative.”
