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There was a long pause, followed by a chuff. “I suspect you know exactly how you look.”
Before I could ask him to expand on that—and possibly fish for a compliment I’d been hoping he would have given freely—there was a knock on the front door. Luca tore out of the living room without another word, leaving me disappointed and confused.
But I supposed he’d set the precedent for what our marriage would be like. I wouldn’t go to him for assurance or even a simple compliment. We were business partners who might fuck if the mood struck, but that was it.
It would serve me well to remember that.
Luca escorted a man in a suit, who introduced himself to me as Judge Hernandez.Hetold me I looked nice. When I glanced at Luca, he averted his gaze back to the windows.
“I thought we’d do this on the balcony,” Luca said.
“Yes,” I agreed. “I love it out there.”
I’d never been, of course, but Judge Hernandez didn’t need to know that.
Luca straightened his tie again. “I’ll meet you out there.” Then he swiveled around and disappeared into the kitchen.
I smiled at the judge. His kind, almost sympathetic smile in return struck me in the gut. One look at us, and he obviously suspected this wasn’t a love match.
Or maybe I was reading too much into his expression.
We went to the balcony door, but since I had never actually unlocked it, I didn’t know how.
“I’m sorry. Luca always opens the door for me,” I explained like a brainless, kept woman.
“It’s all right, Ms. Kelly. Would you allow me?” More sympathy from Judge Hernandez. He got the door open in one move and allowed me to go outside first.
Luca appeared seconds later, carrying a compact bouquet of red roses he shoved toward me.
“Your flowers,bella.”
“Oh. How silly of me to forget when they’re so beautiful.” I took them from him, bringing them to my nose to smell them. “I love roses.”
The corners of his mouth twitched. “I know.”
“Do you?”
His head cocked slightly while I smelled the flowers again. I mouthed, “Thank you,” and he nodded, facing the judge.
“We’re ready to begin.”
The ceremony was short and to the point. We both said, “I do,” and when it came time to exchange rings, Luca produced a simple platinum band that fit my finger perfectly. Then it was my turn. I slipped off the loose silver ring I’d kept on my thumb, and his brows shot up.
I smiled at him. “Did you really think I’d forget to get you a ring?”
“You didn’t have to,” he uttered.
“Well, I wanted to.” I took his left hand in mine and slid the hammered white gold snugly onto his finger. It was rugged yet understated. Not plain. A plain band wouldn’t do for Luca. It had taken me a while to choose it, and I was pleased with what I’d found.
His fingers curled into his palm. He didn’t even look at his ring. My stomach plummeted with disappointment. I’d really wanted him to like it.
“You are now man and wife.” Judge Hernandez probably had a great smile. I could picture him hanging out with his family, his eyes crinkling when his kids did something funny, looking at his wife dancing in the kitchen as she cooked. But I could only imagine it because it wasn’t on display for Luca and me.
“You can kiss,” he added quickly.
I stepped closer to Luca, and in my heels, I didn’t even have to raise my chin to bring us to the same level. His gaze was locked on my face, sweeping from my eyes to my mouth. I took another step, flattening my palm to his chest. His finger came up to my chin, drawing me in with barely a touch.
His warm breath brushed my lips only a moment before his mouth did. For a few thunderous beats of my heart, we were sealed together, then his lips parted, taking our union slightly deeper.
