Shaking her head, she said, “No, Alex. This is just the start of our happily ever after.”
Putting his nose close to her neck to inhale her perfume, he whispered again in her ear, “Then are you ready to begin our lives together, Mrs. Rossi?”
Aria pulled back, looked into his eyes and whispered, “I'm ready, Mr. Rossi.”
That was all Alex needed to hear. He took them around to say their goodbyes to everyone. Throwing kisses and hugging tightly, they promised to keep in touch as much as they could.
Waving goodbye, Alex and Aria walked hand-in-hand to the car waiting to bring them to their house by the sea and to their new life.
Chapter Sixty-Three
HelpingAria out of the car once they arrived, Alex thanked the driver and closed the door.
He turned to face his wife and all at once, their lives together up to that point flashed in his mind.
“Welcome home, Aria.”
“I love the sound of that,” she said shyly as she let him lead her down the walkway to their home.
Aria watched as dozens of fireflies danced overhead. The sky was a moody blue, a stunning backdrop to the tiny stars twinkling like diamonds suspended as if in a snow globe. The air was thick with the smell of herbs and orange blossoms.
As Alex unlocked the door, he turned around, picking Aria up bride-style and carrying her over the threshold as she squealed in delight.
Setting her down, he took the opportunity to look at his wife in the light of the moon as it shone in through the big windows.
From her silky hair to her almond shaped eyes which revealed so much love in that moment, she made him dizzy.
Taking his time, he allowed his eyes to survey her lovely shape as a smile expanded across his face. She was perfect in every way.
“I love you, my husband.”
Bending down slowly to kiss her, he said, “Aria, I never thought it would be possible to be this happy. Your beauty,” he paused to look at her from head to toe again, “takes my breath away. I love you too.”
His kisses increased in both intensity and fervor.
Trying to take breaths in between his smothering kisses, she answered, “Never, Alex. Never did I think it was possible either.”
Pulling back from his embrace, she reached up, moving her fingers through his long hair and removing the band that held it back.
Aria admired his thick, dark locks as they cascaded down his chiseled face.
“I love seeing your hair down,” she said. “Wild and free, just like you.”
Alex closed his eyes as her fingers caressed his scalp. He thought he'd lose his mind on the spot, his body shuddering at the intimacy of it.
She stood up onto her toes to reach his lips once again as he bent his head down, his freed hair coming around them like a curtain, hiding them away. In his arms, he was holding his whole world.
Their kisses turned more passionate in an instant. The air in the room changed, crackling with intensity. All the desire that had been building between them was finally allowed to be shown to one another.
“Aria. You smell so good. You make my heart beat out of control,” he said as he relished in their sweet moment.
“Kiss me, Alex. I'll takecare of your heart.”
All he could think was that she tasted like sweet champagne and forever. His passion intensifying, he picked her up in his arms and walked them to the bedroom, closing the door with his foot, their forever starting at that moment.
Epilogue
Arriving in Cape Town,Alex held Aria’s hand as they watched the sights of the city from their taxi on the way to their hotel. The town wound around the steep slopes of Table Mountain, reminding them of the cliffs in Positano. It was the perfect place to, hopefully, see an albatross.
