“Don’t worry. It’s plenty of time. The most important thing is your dad has recovered well from his operation. An appendectomy might be a routine intervention by now, but it’s still surgery.”
Eleni bit her lip. “You’re right. I’m selfish. I think the stress of organizing everything is getting to me.”
Matteo stifled a smile. It was probable that his loud Italian relatives were getting to her.
He winked at Eleni. “Sure it’s not the double G’s and Bi’ making you lose your mind?”
His family had decided that the most appropriate time to arrive for their wedding was a month in advance. Just to help, of course. Poor Eleni. She was doing great wrestling with all the kind advice she hadn’t asked for. But it had to be exhausting.
Eleni shook her head. “No, no. Ginevra and Giada have been very helpful. And I probably couldn’t have done everything without Bi’.”
“Oh, I’m happy to hear that. But don’t get too used to my lovely presence.” Bianca’s voice interrupted their conversation.
She walked over to them with Luke.
Matteo smiled at them. “Hey there. We were just talking about having to leave for the airport soon. Lenie’s parents are arriving in a bit.”
Luke raised a hand. “Don’t worry, I can go and fetch them for you.”
Matteo raised one eyebrow. “Would you do that?”
Luke grinned. “Of course. What is a best man for? Anyways, I love to chat with Eleni’s Dad. He has the most hilarious jokes. Also, who knows, I might get as lucky in the airport as you were.”
Matteo blinked at Eleni who blushed immediately. She looked even lovelier with the rosy tint on her cheeks.
But Luke was right. One never knew. Who could have imagined that the day he went to pick up Eleni was going to lead to all this? A simple stone, turning out to be the most precious gem. Or Pearl, in his case.
Matteo smiled and patted Luke’s shoulder. “Thanks, man. You’re the best.”
Luke fished his car keys from his pocket.
Bianca poked him on his arm. “You mind taking me along and dropping me at the hotel? I have an important call in half an hour.”
Luke nodded. “No problem. I’ve still got plenty of time.”
Eleni wrinkled her forehead. “Bi’, I thought you already accepted that offer yesterday. What does the owner still want?”
Bianca rolled her eyes. “Yes, I did. But he would like to go over some conceptual details with me. Again. After all, I’ll be redesigning his whole restaurant from scratch. I wouldn’t do it if he wasn’t Uncle Pietro’s friend. But, also, he’s offering me my dream job so, hey, that’s a bonus, right?”
She made a typical Bianca grimace, and they all laughed.
Matteo’s chest tightened. If Bianca started working in that restaurant in Rocky Harbour, she would be visiting less often. He was going to miss his little sister. Well, he and Eleni would just have to schedule in more vacation time for themselves. Now that Cath and Nathan were coming on board to help Eleni with the dance school, it might be possible.
Eleni put a hand on Matteo’s shoulder. “We should go to the flower shop, then. You know, to confirm the final order.”
Bianca waved her hand. “No need, I can do it after my call. It won’t last long.”
Eleni shrugged. “Well, okay. Thanks.”
Luke tapped Bianca’s hand. “Come, let’s get you to your hotel.” His eyes flashed to Eleni’s face. “Text me the flight number of your parents, please?”
Eleni nodded. “I’ll do that right away.” She took out her phone and typed in the details. “Done.”
Luke gave her a thumbs up.
Bianca smiled at them. “See you later, lovebirds.”
She looped her hand in Luke’s arm, and they strolled to the parking lot.
Matteo turned to Eleni. “Well, it seems we’re out of tasks. Luke’s picking up your folks, and Bi’s going to the florist. I guess we get a couple of hours to ourselves?”
Eleni’s pupils dilated, and she swung her arms around his neck. “It seems so, indeed, Mr. Biagi. It has been a rare happening lately with the wedding preparations.” She blew a soft kiss on his cheeks. “Could you explain to me what you would love to do? As your future wife, my aim is to fulfill all your desires.”
Heat flooded Matteo, and his breath quickened. “All my desires, huh?”
He wiggled his eyebrows at Eleni.
She smiled and leaned closer. “Yes, every single one of them. Where shall we start?”
Her voice was husky, and her glance full of yearning.
Matteo snaked his arms around her waist. “What about if we start with this?”
He pressed his lips on hers, and the world melted around them. Eleni was the only person on Earth who could make him feel this way. She was all in one. Yes, and soon she was going to be his wife. And later, the mother of his children.
As her sweet taste invaded his mouth, he groaned. His thoughts vanished. He was just in the moment, nowhere else. Free and happy, like he had always been at the bottom of the ocean. But with Eleni, he had found his own peace outside of the water, too.
And he was never going to let her go.
* * *
It doesn’t have to end here…
Do you want to see Eleni’s wedding and get to know the Biagi women a little closer?
Join my Reader Club and get Loving the Boss’s extended Epilogue. You’ll also receive an exclusive sweet romance novella as my welcome gift. Go to:
www.agnescanestri.com/pearl-bonus
* * *
Ready to see Bianca, Matteo’s bubbly sister and a gorgeous billionaire with a guarded heart in an opposites attract romance?
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She’s all about passion. He only believes in reason. Their business deal won’t go down without fireworks…
Billionaire Ryan O'Connor knows the peril of letting his emotions prevail over reason. Returning to his hometown to dismantle a small restaurant is supposed to be about profit, not nostalgia. Until he meets Bianca, that is. Her quirky love for oldies, charming smile and tendency to wear her heart on her sleeve make it increasingly difficult for Ryan to stick to plan.
Bianca’s motto is to trust her emotions. Following her heart helped her turn a struggling taverna into the coolest jazz restaurant in town. So when her gut suggests a gamble to save her workplace from the tycoon with the reputation of a shark, she takes the plunge. Only she never expected Ryan to be as gallant as her idols of the golden era, nor his eyes to be as dazzling as Dean Martin’s.
Bianca’s and Ryan’s attraction for each other is undeniable, but falling for each other isn’t on the menu. Can Bianca prove to Ryan that listening to his heart is worth the risk?
If you love witty heroines, swoon-worthy heroes and soul-stirring kisses than you'll love this opposites attract billionaire romance.
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Other books by the Author
Book 2
GAMBLING WITH THE BILLIONAIRE
She’s all about passion. He only believes in reason. Their business deal won’t go down without fireworks…
Billionaire Ryan O'Connor knows the peril of letting his emotions prevail over reason. Returning to his hometown to dismantle a small restaurant is supposed to be about profit, not nostalgia. Until he meets Bianca, that is. Her quirky love for oldies, charming smile
and tendency to wear her heart on her sleeve make it increasingly difficult for Ryan to stick to plan.
Bianca’s motto is to trust her emotions. Following her heart helped her turn a struggling taverna into the coolest jazz restaurant in town. So when her gut suggests a gamble to save her workplace from the tycoon with the reputation of a shark, she takes the plunge. Only she never expected Ryan to be as gallant as her idols of the golden era, nor his eyes to be as dazzling as Dean Martin’s.
Bianca’s and Ryan’s attraction for each other is undeniable, but falling for each other isn’t on the menu. Can Bianca prove to Ryan that listening to his heart is worth the risk?
Get it on Amazon (also in Kindle Unlimited)
* * *
Book 3
FAKE-DATING THE SINGLE DAD
It was the perfect plan. Until their feelings turned all too real…
The last thing on Nick’s mind is romance. Between being a single dad and managing his writing career, he has more than enough on his plate. But when his ex decides to fight him for custody of their son, he knows he has to show the judge he’s a solid family man. What he’ll need is a fake girlfriend—and he has the perfect girl in mind. Convincing her to help isn’t a problem. Ignoring how she makes his heart beat faster for real? Now that’s a problem.
All Ginny wants is a teaching job at the prestigious Riversmith school, but getting them to even consider her application is a challenge. Then she finds out Nick has connections there—and that he’s willing to use them in exchange for one tiny little favor. All she has to do is be his fake girlfriend…and somehow pretend she’s not at all attracted to him. What could possibly go wrong?
It was the perfect plan. Too bad the plan never included what to do when the lines between reality and fantasy blur, and a fake relationship starts feeling all too real…
Get it on Amazon (also in Kindle Unlimited)
* * *
Book 4
SAVING THE BROTHER’S BEST FRIEND
It was just a simple favor between friends. Until it wasn’t…
Firefighter Gabriel needs money and he needs it fast. His father’s future depends on it. Too bad the only way he can make it happen is to give in to his rich grandmother’s demand to see him married. But since he doesn’t have any prospects for a real bride, a fake fiancé will have to do. And there’s only one woman he’d trust with the job.
Giada has loved Gabriel for as long as she can remember. To him, she’s just his best friend’s little sister. But even though she knows a fake relationship with him will only lead to heartbreak, there’s no way she can turn him down in his time of need. She’ll just have to figure out how to guard her heart against the one man she wants to give it to the most.
The plan is in place. To everyone watching, they’re the perfect happy couple. The only problem? Gabriel suddenly realizes he’s no longer just pretending to be in love with Giada. How can he convince her his feelings are real when he’s been so blind for so long?
Get it on Amazon (also in Kindle Unlimited)
* * *
Book 5
FALLING FOR THE UNDERCOVER AGENT
She was just a job. Until she wasn’t …
Private Investigator Giordano Biagi lives for his work. And he’s been at it long enough to know that maintaining the line between business and pleasure is essential. It’s never been a problem for him, either. Not until he meets her—the fiery, entirely too intriguing woman he’s been hired to investigate. Suddenly he’s having trouble remembering exactly where the line is, and why crossing it would be a bad idea …
Ruby Terryson is pretty sure she’s dated every liar in the state. Her abysmal luck with men did teach her at least one valuable lesson, though—to always lead with her head and protect her heart. So when Giordano walks into her tattoo salon, to say her guards are up would be an understatement. But the more time she spends with him, the more she starts to wonder if maybe—just maybe—it’s time to take down the walls around her heart once and for all.
Their entire relationship is built on a lie. There’s no way they can find a happily ever after together once Ruby’s learns the
truth … is there?
Get it on Amazon (also in Kindle Unlimited)
About the Author
Agnes Canestri writes sweet romance for all ages. She is the author of the Gems of Love series. Her home on the internet is https://www.agnescanestri.com. Agnes is also a psychologist. She is passionate to understand what makes people tick especially when it comes to love. She adores capable heroes, witty heroines, and bone-tingling kisses. After living in five different countries, she is now settled in Germany with her Italian husband and two adorable children.
You can connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/agnescanestri and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/agnes.canestri using the icons below.
Whenever the mood strikes you, you should send her an email at [email protected]. She loves to hear from her readers and answers all emails personally.
Copyright
Copyright © 2019 by Agnes Canestri
www.agnescanestri.com
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Editing by Danita Mayer, Niche Editing.
Loving The Boss (Gems 0f Love Book 1) Page 21
