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There was no music, no processional, no ceremony to hide behind, and for that, Sam was grateful. She hadn’t wanted anything that would detract from what they were doing. Or why they were doing it. Today was all about Gabby. They were starting a new life as a family, and they were putting Gabby first because it was a good and right thing to do.
Despite that knowledge, Sam felt a flurry of nerves as the vows were recited. She couldn’t believe she was going to do this. She couldn’t believe she was going to get married again. It was ludicrous. And thrilling.
She was stunned and overwhelmed. Hopeful and terrified. Nervous, emotional, tearful.
My God, she felt like a real bride.
And then the brief ceremony was over and a heavy ring weighted her finger and it was done.
They were married. Man and wife. Cristiano moved closer. He tipped her chin up to kiss her and Sam heard cheers and whistling but he then hesitated, his mouth so close to hers she could feel his warmth and smell his spicy clean fragrance.
Then she saw his lips curve and that brief, faint smile said everything and heat coursed through her. That smile of his was always her undoing, making her face burn and her lower lip throb and her body feel heavy and empty in a way it never had before. Then his head dropped and his lips covered hers and she felt a flare of bright white heat, her lips tingling.
The kiss was magical—sharp, hot, intense—and she was no longer at the villa but transported somewhere else, someplace that felt like heaven on earth. His arms circled her, brought her close, brought her against his hard frame and she felt him in a way she’d never felt him before.
He was so big, strong, and the shape of his body was new to her but welcome.
Sighing, she pressed closer and as his hand lingered low on her back shivers raced up and down her spine and she didn’t want the kiss to ever end.
She’d never thought a man could make a woman feel so tender and so eager and so beautiful and so alive.
And then Cristiano was lifting his head and a trumpet sounded, followed by a violin and then an accordion. Tears filled Sam’s eyes as she realized it was the villa staff members playing for them, the staff who’d brought instruments from home to give them music. The music was bright and joyful, celebratory and bittersweet and it was so unexpected, and so touching, that Sam couldn’t hold the tears back.
“Signora Bartolo,” Cristiano murmured, running his thumb beneath her eyes to dry her tears, “my staff and I welcome you home.”
And with his arm still around her, he turned her to face his staff who’d gathered at the edge of the garden, many wearing their very best clothes, their faces wreathed with pleasure and tears continued to fill Sam’s eyes.
“Grazie,” she said to Cristiano. “Merci,” she said to the French-speaking staff. And it was as beautiful a wedding day as she could have ever imagined.
But the celebration didn’t end there. The villa’s chef outdid himself preparing their wedding dinner. Considering there were only three of them, and one was a sleepy little girl, it was a gorgeous meal started off with hors d’ouvres of caviar and sour cream on blini, followed by mignon of beef tenderloin with garlic roasted eggplant and tomato basil brochette, and then finished with mixed greens with lobster, grilled artichoke hearts and carrots.
“This it too much food,” Sam protested as the courses kept coming and Gabriella wandered away to locate Marcelle and find something more interesting to do than eat.
“As you can tell, Chef Sacchi is delighted you’ve decided to join our family.”
They were sitting in the dining room and normally it was a huge formal space but villa staff had hung white and aqua chiffon panels from the ceiling creating a romantic tent. White lights were wrapped around bare tree branches and candles and white orchids glowed in the table center.
Cristiano took her hand, lifted it to his lips. “I’m delighted you’ve joined our family, although it’s a very small family.”
Sam’s heart lurched at the brush of his lips across her skin. “Small families are good. Not quite so intimidating.”
“Your family was small, too.”
“Very.”
“But at least we know family’s important,” Cristiano added, turning her hand over to kiss the inside of her wrist.
