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“The villas here are awesome, so you’ll probably love it.”
“We’ll see.”
Chapter Ten
Wow,was my only thought as I parked in Dax’s driveway and took a good look at his home. The modern, flat-roofed, two-story villa was all alabaster paint, tall reflective-glass windows, and pure unadulterated opulence. The small courtyard added to the opulent feel, along with the pretty fountain bordered by topiaries.
The lot on which the villa was built wasn’t expansive, but the heavy use of tall trees gave the building a secluded feel. It looked calm. Tranquil. Idyllic.
Dax’s car—a sleek, black vehicle that had “style” metaphorically written all over it—was parked off to the side. I’d seen it around, but not the town car that was situated beside it.
Exiting my own vehicle, I was immediately greeted by the scents of greenery and clean air. Beneath them hovered the barest smell of wet stone emanating from the fountain.
I smiled as I again took in the villa. Damn, this could be my new home. Unless the interior was an absolute dump—which seemed supremely unlikely—I’d have absolutely no issues living here.
Not at any point in my life had I imagined myself marrying Dax Mercier, let alone moving in with him. He was just so elusive. You couldn’t laya claim to a guy like him. Not unless he allowed it. But I’d have one when I became his wife—there would be a band on his finger to prove it.
Although … there was a possibility that he wouldn’t want to wear one. Not all guys did, and he’d once told me he didn’t like wearing rings.
Hehadmentioned that he’d buy our wedding bands, but it could be that his only intention was to use them for the exchange-of-rings part of the ceremony. If I was honest, I wouldn’t be too pleased if he afterward removed his band. Maybe it would be different if we were all wrapped up in each other—I’d feel secure in my claim to him. But we weren’t, and so his refusal to wear a ring would feel like a rejection; like he didn’t really see me as his wife.
Jesus, I was going to become his wife. At least in the legal sense of the word.
There were moments when it felt so surreal I wanted to laugh. At the present moment, I didn’t feel the need to laugh. I felt the need to give my heart a slap, because it was beating a little too fast at the mere thought of seeing him.
I locked my vehicle and then headed for the entrance, marveling at the peaceful feel to the pocket of land. There was no noise other than for the sprinkling of the fountain, the light breeze sliding through the trees, and the clicking of my heels against the stone walkway.
Noticing a chauffeur sitting in the town car, I felt my brows lift in surprise. I gave him a brief wave, which he easily returned. Huh. Since it was highly unlikely that Dax would have a chauffeur sitting in a car outside his home, it seemed more probable that said chauffeur had driven someone here.
I pressed the doorbell and waited, my nerves a little too tetchy for there to be anything patient about that wait. He opened the door, his eyes fixed on mine, and my entire system—every cell, every hormone, every nerve-ending—quite simply wentzing.
“Addison,” he ever so smoothly greeted. Backing up, he opened the door wider. “Come in.”
Clutching the strap of my purse unnecessarily tight, I walked inside, my body brushing his. Catching movement in my peripheral vision, I twisted my head slightly. It was a battle not to tense. I easily recognized the tall, dark, fartoo good-looking Sicilian male who stood there. Anyone in Redwater would.
Dax sidled closer to me. “This is a friend of mine, Rafael Cabello. Rafael, this is my fiancée, Addison.”
A corner of Rafael’s mouth tilted upward. “I’ve heard plenty about you.”
Given the guy ran a crime syndicate … “I can certainly say the same.” The rumors were plentiful.
“Thank you for the invitation to the wedding,” he said with a short, gracious nod. “I’ll be there.”
I’d emailed the invitations earlier today after booking the church and securing a venue—it was faster than dishing out physical invitations. When I’d seen Rafael’s name on Dax’s guest list, I’d almost fallen off my damn chair. I knew they were acquainted, but I hadn’t thought they were close friends. There’d been a few other names that had taken me by surprise.
I gave him a polite smile. “In that case, I’ll see you then.”
He and Dax exchanged goodbyes, and then the Sicilian male elegantly breezed out of the villa with an animal grace.
Once Dax closed the door, I said, “You have interesting friends.”
“So I’ve been told.” He tipped his chin, gesturing for me to follow him as he added, “Come.”
“Your place is bigger than I thought it’d be,” I said, trailing after him.
“I’ll give you a quick tour before we eat.”
The sound of our footfalls echoed along the marble flooring as he showed me around first the living area and then the dining room. Both were spacious and elegantly furnished, as was the room he said I could use as a home office if I wished.
