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CHAPTER44
Dante
“That’s Scorpio.” Vivian pointed to a spot in the sky. “Do you see it?”
I followed her gaze toward the constellation. It looked like any other cluster of stars.
“Mmmhmm. Looks great.”
She turned her head and narrowed her eyes. “Do you really see it, or are you lying?”
“I see stars. Lots of them.”
Vivian huffed out a half groan, half laugh. “You’re hopeless.”
“I told you, I’m not and never will be an astronomy expert. I’m just here for the view and the company.” I kissed the top of her head.
We lay on a pile of blankets and cushions outside our glamping resort in Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the world’s top stargazing destinations. After all the shit that’d gone down last month, this was the perfect place to reset before our wedding, which we’d pushed back to September due to renovations taking longer than expected.
We’d spent the past four days hiking volcanoes, luxuriating in hot springs, and exploring sand dunes. My assistant had nearly keeled over with shock when I told her I was taking ten days off from work, but she’d put together the perfect itinerary for my first real vacation since I became CEO.
I’d even left my work phone at home. My team had the resort’s number in case of emergencies, but they knew not to bother me unless the building was literally burning down.
“True. I guess you can stick to looking pretty.” Vivian patted my arm. “We all have our talents—”
She broke off into a squeal when I rolled her over and pinned her beneath me.
“Watch your mouth,” I growled, giving her a playful nip. “Or I’ll punish you right here where anyone can see.”
The stars reflected in her eyes and glittered with mischief. “Is that a warning or promise?”
My groan traveled between us, dark and filled with heat. “You’re a fucking tease.”
“You’re the one who started it.” Vivian wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me. “Don’t start something you can’t finish, Russo.”
“When have I ever?” I skimmed my lips over the delicate line of her jaw. “But before we shock the other guests with an X-rated show…” Her laughter vibrated down my spine. “I have a confession.”
My heart picked up speed.
I’d spent a month preparing for this moment, yet I felt like I was teetering on the edge of a cliff without a parachute.
Vivian tilted her head. “Confession as in you forgot to book our horseback rides tomorrow, or confession as in you murdered someone and need my help burying the body?”
“Why do you always default to the morbid?”
“Because I’m friends with Isabella, and you’re scary.”
“I thought you said my talent was looking pretty,” I teased.
“Prettyandscary.” An impish smile curved her mouth. “They’re not mutually exclusive.”
“Good to know, but no, I didn’t murder anyone,” I said dryly. I pushed off her and sat up straight.
The desert night was cool and crisp, but heat clung to my skin like a tight-fitting suit.
“Thank God. I’m not great with shovels.” Vivian sat up as well and eyed me with curiosity. “So, this confession. Is it good or bad? Do I need to mentally prepare myself?”
“It’s good. I hope.” I cleared my throat, my heart now throttling full speed ahead. “Do you remember my trip to Malaysia a few weeks ago?”
