My lids lower too.
Three and a half hours later my eyelids pop open when the pilot instructs us to buckle because we’re landing.
“Welcome to St.Croix,” the pilot says.
“Wake up, Serenity.”
Her head restson my chest and her hand slides over my abs. “No,” she grumbles.
“I’ll let you sleep a little longer.” Once the jet comes to a stop on the tarmac, I unbuckle my wife and scoop her up into my arms. She nuzzles my neck.
“Nico,” she whimpers.
My name falling from my wife’s lips gives me a new sense of pride.
I stalk off the plane and down the steps. Miff opens the rear passenger door and I lower my wife onto the seat. After I buckle her in, I close the door, round the vehicle, and climb in beside her. If she thinks she’ll sleep through the night, she has another thing coming.
Twenty-five minutes later, after Miff and Reacher carry our luggage inside and sweep the villa, I carry my wife over the threshold.
“Wake up, Mrs. Pitucco.” I lower her to her feet.
She inches closer with her back to me. “Unzip me, please.”
“No,” I growl.
“Nico, I need to change into my lingerie.”
“No, you don’t.”
She throws up her hands in frustration. “Fine.” Serenity grabs her toiletry bag from the dresser and storms into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
“And take your hair down, too,” I call after her.
I hear her smack her lips. I drift over to the minibar in the corner, taking note of the selection as I loosen my bow tie. The blinds are drawn back, revealing the pool outside. Sliding the door open, I let the warm air wash over me. I retreat to the bar, pour three fingers of whiskey into a crystal glass, and take a slow sip before sinking onto the bed. The bathroom door opens, and Serenity steps out, looking refreshed.
I drink her in. Her long, straight strands sway around her shoulders and fall down her back. I was furious when she cut herhair in Italy—glad to see it had grown back now—her silky brown and golden blonde locks cascading gracefully.
“You look beautiful.”
She smiles. “Thank you.”
Serenity closes the distance between us.
I lock eyes with her, sliding a hand down one side of her head, savoring the smoothness beneath my palm. “Did you ever love me?”
She snorts out a laugh. “You’re kidding, right?” Crossing her arms over her chest, she glares at me. “Yes, Nico. I fell in love with you in high school, then you broke my fucking heart.”
“Serenity, I had no plans of embarrassing you. I did what I had to do to keep the other guys from going after you. You were mine. I couldn’t let anyone touch what was mine. I’ve loved you since the first time I laid eyes on you.”
I stretch out a hand for hers. She stares down her pretty nose at my hand, sighs, and takes it.
“I’ve been in love with you all this time.”
A tear slips down her cheek. “I never stopped loving you. I’ve tried so many times. You make me crazy, Nico.”
I stand and pull her close. “We make each other crazy.” I press a kiss to her temple.
“I just don’t understand why you left,” I breathe against her hair.
