by Victoria Zak
Kenderly glanced at Cat with pleading eyes. “Please, hear him out,” she said. “It’s all I ask.”
“Cat, I know you’re angry about the way I left, but—”
“I’m not angry,” she said with a tremor in her voice. “It was the easiest way. I’m...I was grateful I didn’t have to say goodbye.”
“That’s just it.” Dario closed the door and pulled her deeper into the room. “I know I shouldn’t have left the way I did, but I needed time to think and...and plan.” He shoved his hand through his hair, torn between his desire to kiss her and the need to make her understand. “I had a meeting with Antonio yesterday—or I was supposed to meet with him—about the development project, but I couldn’t focus. I asked him to postpone and took a long walk to clear my head. All I could think about was you, and how much I need you, and then it was so late when I got back. I was going to come to the mainland to talk to you, but the ferry was gone this morning and Kenderly said you were coming back—”
“You need me?” Cat asked. “For what? The project? I don’t understand.”
“No. Not for the—” Dario released a frustrated breath and took her hands into his own, noticing for the first time just how right they fit together. “None of this is coming out right.”
Cat swallowed, looking down at their hands as well, her fingers flexing between his. “It was a fantasy,” she said with a shrug. “I understand how this works. You have to go back to your world…” She paused and glanced out the window behind him, her brows furrowing before she dropped her chin and withdrew her hands from his. “And I’m staying here in mine.”
A war erupted inside him as she turned for the door. He couldn’t just let her go. Not like this. Not ever. He beat her to the door and placed his hand on the knob. “Is that what you want?” he asked. He’d come too far to let her walk away from him without a fight. “Because it’s not what I want, Catalina.”
She stood with her back to him, her shoulders rising and falling with each of her breaths. He leaned in and pressed his lips to her hair, breathing in her fresh scent. “Something happened this week, Catalina. I don’t know if it’s this strange island magic you and Antonio speak of, or fate, or something completely arbitrary. But even if meeting you was random,” he continued, pulling her hair back to whisper the words into her ear, “falling in love with you was inevitable.”
Catalina pressed her forehead against the door, her curtain of long hair concealing her expression.
“Please tell me you feel the same,” he said, turning her to face him, stooping down to try to gauge her response.
When he saw the tears pooling in her eyes, his heart leapt back to life, beating furiously. He cupped her face and swiped the tears away with the pads of his thumbs. “Your tears give me hope, gattina. Please tell me I’m not the only one.”
Catalina shook her head, her smile as bright as the tropical sun. “I fell in love with you, too, but I just couldn’t imagine a way for it to be real, for us to be real. I still can’t.”
Dario gathered her in his arms and kissed her, the feel of her lips a pleasure he’d never grow tired of. “This is real, Catalina.” He took her face between his hands and pressed his forehead to hers. “Come to Milan with me.”
Cat tensed beneath his touch.
“Just for a few days,” he assured her, “so that I can gather some of my things. Let me show you my world and then I want to come back here to yours and make it ours.”
Epilogue
Cat tucked her father into bed. Three hours in the chemotherapy room hooked up to IV bags coursing poison into his veins always took its toll. A year of treatments had weakened him, but knowing his condition had improved more than the doctors had expected, and that this was his last treatment, made her rest easy. Her papa had fought hard and won the battle.
Cat bent down and kissed her father on the forehead. “Mama will be in to check on you soon. I have to meet Dario and Emilio for lunch.”
“Niña.” He held her hand and squeezed.
“Shh, I know. Save your energy.” She knew what he was going to say and didn’t need to hear his words of gratitude. The cancer was gone and that’s all she needed to know. She reached across the nightstand and grabbed the TV remote, flipping on his favorite midmorning game show. “Do you need anything else?”
Weakly, he shook his head.
“Love you, Papa.” She gave him one last kiss before leaving the bedroom.
She walked into the kitchen and grabbed three brown paper bags her mother had filled for lunch. She smiled and shook her head. Her mother’s caring nature never ceased to amaze her. “Mama,” she called out, “I’m leaving.”
She locked the door behind her and jogged down the steps. The construction site was only a couple blocks from her home, so there was no need for a taxi. Besides, her usual ride was now working for Dicola Enterprises as a foreman in charge of the demolition crew.
Dario had made the project a family affair, recruiting both of her brothers to work the construction side of things while Dario, Antonio, and Miguel were the business masterminds. Together, they refurbished old buildings and tore down the ones that were too far gone, bringing a once ghost town back to life for their neighbors. Their passion for country shined through, brick by brick, and in every stroke of paint. Not only were they beautifying the area, they’d provided vibrant and affordable new homes, and were building new storefronts to attract tourists. Dario’s vision was coming to life right before her eyes.
As she walked and reflected on the past year, she realized it had been one of adventure, personal growth, and reconnecting with Emilio. Although she missed Aragon Island, Antonio and Kenderly, and all the friends she’d made there, she was satisfied with her decision to stay home and take care of her family. She’d helped her mother care for Papa, went to every one of Emilio’s fùtbol games, and immensely enjoyed revisiting the rooftop with Dario every chance she got.
For once, she lived life for herself and couldn’t be happier.
She rounded the corner and paused outside the fenced-off construction area. With matching yellow hardhats, Dario knelt next to Emilio pointing up where his uncles stood on a scaffold. She thought her heart would burst with happiness seeing her two favorite guys together. For someone who’d once decided to never share his life or heart, Dario had filled the father and lover roles effortlessly.
“Mama!” Emilio shouted when he saw her, running over to greet her.
“I have lunch.” She raised the paper bags and opened the gate.
Her heart fluttered and her mouth went dry as she watched Dario approach. He looked like an Italian god, overseeing the world he was creating. Even on the jobsite he dressed in slacks, a white business shirt, and matching vest. His sleeves were rolled up, showing off his tanned skin. Their eyes met. The same excitement she saw on Emilio’s face stared back at her. In one fluid motion, he cupped her face and kissed her as if it had been an eternity since he’d last felt her lips.
“Mama.” A little hand tugged on her shirt. “Dario let me swing a hammer.”
“Is that so?” She eyed her son, then Dario.
“I made sure he wore his safety glasses.” Dario winked.
She wrapped her arms around Dario’s waist, pressing her body against his. Dios, he always smells so good. “How about you? How’s your day going?”
“Mmm, it’s perfect now that you’re here.” He dipped his head and kissed her again. “I have a surprise for you.”
She arched her brow. “You do?” She wondered if the stiffness she felt pressed against her stomach was the surprise. If so, the mystery was solved. She already knew he wanted her.
“Come.” He nodded toward the sidewalk. “You, too, Emilio.”
They walked two blocks down from the construction site. With each step, excitement consumed her. Dario was a master at keeping his surprises a secret. He’d already given her the world. She couldn’t imagine what he could possibly be up to now. Whatever it was, the anticipatio
n was killing her!
He stopped in front of a yellow, three-story home with a Spanish-style tiled roof. The smell of fresh paint still hung in the air. A wooden fence, painted the same yellow as the house, surrounded a freshly landscaped yard. She didn’t know what it was supposed to be, but Dario’s work was as impeccable as always.
“What do you think?” he asked, glancing between her and the house.
“It’s beautiful,” she said wistfully.
“It’s ours,” he said, beaming.
Cat’s mouth dropped open. Had she heard right? “Ours?”
“Si,” he said excitedly. “Ours. Yours and mine, and Emilio’s. I had it completely refurbished. Emilio has the whole second story to himself.” He ruffled her son’s hair and grinned down at him.
She didn’t know what to say as she stared at the dream Dario was offering her. Her own place? Her first home. Their home. “Dario, I don’t know what to say.”
He took her hand in his, then Emilio’s in his other. “Tesoro mio, you and Emilio need your own home. If it’s too soon, I’ll stay somewhere else. I’m sure Carlito won’t mind having a roommate.”
She giggled and looked back at the yellow paradise. A promise of a new beginning. Her fantasy becoming her future. “But, what about Milan? Your business is there and your apartment.”
“I have enough work here to keep me busy for a while. And there’s no reason we can’t keep both properties.” He pulled her close, the air between them changing from fun to earnest. The depth of what he was saying flickered in his eyes. “I’ve never been more certain in my life, Catalina. I love you and want forever with you and Emilio.”
Time stood still. She felt as though she was floating in a dream. He knelt in front of her. Oh, Dios. She dropped the lunch bags, her hands shaking as she covered her mouth to stifle a sob.
“Emilio, come here.” Dario reached for her son to come and stand next him. “Do you have the box I gave you?”
Emilio nodded and handed it to Dario.
“Catalina Cortez.” He opened the box, revealing a brilliant diamond ring, the likes of which she’d never seen before. “Will you marry me?”
Rendered speechless, she stared at the ring, everything she’d shared with Dario over the last year flashing through her mind. The first time they met, their first kiss, the first time she woke up in his arms after he’d made love to her all night. The moment he introduced her to her papa’s new doctors, the surprise birthday party he’d thrown for Emilio, and the trip to Spain he’d surprised her with at Christmas.
All the memories they’d created came rushing back and filled her heart with so much joy. Now he was asking her to marry him? In front of a beautiful home he’d bought and restored just for them? How was this possible? If this was a dream, she prayed she’d never woke.
“Cat, do you need a moment?” Through the blissful haze, she heard the nervous sincerity in his tone but still couldn’t believe it. Was he really asking her to marry him?
“Cat, please. You’re killing me here.”
“Yes,” she squeaked out, “I’ll marry you!”
He sighed with relief, smiling as he took her trembling hand and slipped the ring onto her finger. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stared at the ring, a dream she’d been too scared to believe could come true.
He swiped away her tears and brought her gaze back to him. “Tesoro mio, I love you. I can’t express how happy you’ve made me.”
Cat gave him a jerky nod, still unable to speak. He’d made her happy, too. So much so, she could hardly contain it all.
He laughed as he pulled her into his arms and placed a loving kiss on the top of her head. “Are you ready to go see our home?”
“Yes.” She was ready to go wherever their love took them. She yelped when he scooped her up in his arms, sealing the deal with another scorching kiss.
Her son cheered, running circles around them as Dario walked through the gate and up the steps to the front door.
“I see you had help with this little surprise of yours.” She tipped her chin to Emilio.
“I played every card I could,” Dario teased.
He placed her on her feet as he fished the keys from his pocket. She looked up, taking in their home. She knew whatever awaited her inside would be perfect, but none of it mattered. She had everything she ever wanted standing right next to her. Her heart thumped impatiently as he turned the key. This was it, she was about to step over the threshold to a brand new chapter of a fantasy come true.
A True Love Story Never Ends
About Victoria Zak
Victoria Zak is an internationally bestselling author in paranormal romance, Scottish historical romance and contemporary romance. Her first book, Highland Burn was runner-up for the InD’tale 2015 RONE award for best paranormal romance.
Victoria Zak lives in the sunshine state with her husband, two beautiful children, and two furry friends. Living in paradise, being a stay at home mom, and to be able to share her stories has been a blessing.
Victoria loves to hear from her readers. You can connect with her through the links below:
@VictoriaZak2
VictoriaZakAuthor
www.victoriazakromance.com
[email protected]
More Books by Victoria Zak
Guardians of Scotland Series:
Highland Burn
Highland Storm
Highland Fate
Highland Destiny
Daughters of Highland Darkness Series:
Beautiful Darkness
Deadly Darkness (2017)
Wicked Darkness (2017)
Hell’s Cowboys Series:
My Immortal Cowboy
Stand Alones:
De Wolfe’s Honor
Once Upon a Winter Solstice
The Jewel of Grim Fortress
Midnight’s Kiss
More Books by D.L. Roan
The McLendon Family Saga
Survivors' Justice Series
Blindfold Fantasy
