AllFreeNovel
Share Us
That was the way a woman should look when she was getting married. It wasn’t how Elena had looked today. And she knew it was selfish, because they’d done what they needed to for their baby. But she couldn’t help but feel as though she’d missed out on something very profound and moving.
Sadness crept over Elena. This wasn’t how she’d envisioned her wedding day. When she was younger, she’d dreamed about her wedding being the happiest day of her life. Of rose petals lining her path, with her family looking on and her eager groom awaiting her at the end of the aisle.
She stared blindly out the window. Tears pricked the backs of her eyes, but she blinked repeatedly, willing them away. After all, those had been dreams of a gullible young girl. She was now a mature woman who knew that life rarely lived up to anyone’s dreams.
This marriage was a means to an end. A business arrangement of sorts. Try as she might, none of those explanations soothed the throb in her chest.
The car slowed down and turned into an underground garage. Elena was jarred from her thoughts, but it was too late to look around to figure out where the
y were. She was certainly confused.
“Luca, what have you done?”
His brows scrunched together. “Why do you make it sound like I’ve done something wrong?”
“I don’t know. Have you?”
“Certainly not. I just thought the occasion deserved something extra.”
“Extra?” She had no idea what he meant by that comment.
And Luca wasn’t offering any other clues.
When the car pulled to a stop, the driver opened the door for her. She stepped out into the garage next to a bank of elevators. Luca rounded the car and took her hand. He led her to the farthest elevator and pressed a button. Instantly the doors swept open. Inside he swiped a card and pressed another button labeled PH1.
“Luca, what are you up to?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Don’t you think we’ve had enough of those for one day?” The excitement of the day really had taken a lot out of her. Especially as she found herself getting tired easier than normal since she’d become pregnant.
“I promise, soon you can rest.”
She sent him an I-don’t-believe-you look. “Just tell me what you’re up to.”
He didn’t say a word as he stared straight ahead.
The anticipation was getting to her. She had to admit that normally she loved surprises and Luca knew it. But today was far from normal. What in the world did he have planned?
The doors swished open to reveal an expansive suite decorated mostly in white with strategically placed wine-colored accents. One wall consisted of floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the beautiful city. The soft golden rays from the setting sun gave the place a warm, inviting glow.
She turned to Luca. “I don’t understand.”
And then, without warning, Luca lifted her into his arms.
“What are you doing? Put me down.”
“Smile for the camera.” Luca smiled and nodded toward the photographer and his assistant, who had been at the church.
She forced a smile while the photographer snapped one photo after the next.
“Could I have one of you two kissing before you put her down?” the photographer asked. He obviously wasn’t in on the fact that their marriage was for show only.
“Of course,” Luca said a little too eagerly. And then he looked at her as though begging her to just go with it.
Luca’s hands gripped her tighter as he rolled her body closer to his. As his face drew closer, her pulse raced. This wasn’t a good idea. And yet neither moved to stop it.
Their gazes met and held. In the background, the camera flashed. But for Elena, all she could see was the desire reflected in Luca’s eyes. Was she looking at him the same way?
