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‘Spiced rum punch,’ he said. ‘It seemed more suitable for the Caribbean than mulled wine.’
‘For breakfast?’ she said laughing.
‘I wasn’t thinking straight.’ He smiled, looking almost bashful—if that was possible for such a heart-stoppingly gorgeous specimen of masculine perfection. ‘There’s plain juice if you prefer—or I can call for anything else you’d like.’
‘No—’ she laughed ‘—I want rum punch. We’re celebrating.’
‘There’s one more thing,’ Marco said. ‘I’d be honoured if you’d come to Turin to spend Christmas with me for real. We’d be near your father—but also, I know someone who has missed your friendship for four years.’
‘Bianca?’ Claudia asked quietly. ‘But doesn’t she think terrible things about me?’
‘No,’ Marco said. ‘Hard as it will be for you to believe me, I never poisoned her against you. I was still trying to protect her. She knew we’d been involved, and out of respect for my feelings she let your friendship drop. Being on the other side of the Atlantic helped that.’
‘I’ve missed her too,’ Claudia said. ‘It would be really wonderful to rekindle our friendship.’
A sudden joyful smile lit up Marco’s face and he sprang to his feet, carrying Claudia with him in his enthusiasm.
‘I love you so much!’ he exclaimed, hugging her so energetically that her feet lifted off the floor.
Claudia laughed and clung happily to him, gasping with delight as he suddenly lifted her higher and spun her round and round, laughing with her in his happiness.
At last they came to rest next to the Christmas tree, and Claudia found herself looking with delight at the decorations—the branches were adorned with gorgeous glazed ceramic shapes and the cutest Christmas motifs and figures, made entirely from whole nutmegs, cinnamon sticks and other spices she didn’t immediately recognise.
‘They’re all crafted locally,’ Marco said.
‘It’s beautiful,’ Claudia breathed, leaning close to the tree. ‘And it smells like Christmas too. I love the scent of spices.’
‘This is the Caribbean!’ Marco exclaimed. ‘A tropical paradise. I’ll take you to places where the air is saturated with spice and every breath fills your lungs with the natural perfumes of exotic flowers.’
‘That sounds amazing,’ Claudia said, hugging him close once more. ‘But I don’t need to go anywhere to feel like that. Just being with you makes me feel like I’m in paradise.’
He hugged her back, wrapping his strong powerful arms around her in a way that made her forget everything but how wonderful it was to be held by him. Eventually they sank back down on to the sofa and he brought her a glass of rum punch.
She sipped the potent brew, unable to take her eyes off Marco’s face, hardly able to believe how happy she felt. The beautiful glow of love filled her and the fiery heat of passion was starting to flow through her veins as she looked deep into his sultry eyes.
She lifted her hand and brushed her fingers through his black hair.
It was still stiff with salt from his swim the previous day and she realised he’d been too distraught to think about washing it.
‘You need to shower and shave,’ she said, smoothing her hand against his stubbled jaw line.
‘Come with me,’ he said. ‘I need you with me.’
She knew he was talking about more than the shower. He needed her for the rest of their lives.
‘Always,’ she said. ‘I’ll love you always. And I’ll be with you for ever.’
