“Don’t forget chocolate,” he added. There was no mistaking the light shining in those dark eyes before he sat back. “Now I can breathe again.”
He didn’t know the half of it.
She watched him put money on the table before they left to find a store. Another new experience awaited her when she went into a grocery store to shop. Lanza had always wondered what it would be like to do anything as ordinary as walk around a store with the husband you loved.
Being with Stefano was an adventure she loved with every fiber of her being. They laughed while they planned their meals for the week and ended up buying more food than they would need, but he insisted more was much better than less.
To her amazement he bought half a dozen bottles of Almond 22 Pink India Pale Ale. He admitted to developing a taste for it over the years and dared her to try it. In her euphoric mood, there was no way to deny him. “I’ll have some tonight.”
“While we play some more Scrabble, right? You won’t go to bed on me too soon?”
Surely, he was joking. She had no plans to disappear on him. His plea connected to her in a way he wouldn’t have believed. “I promise.”
“I’m going to hold you to it,” he said in his deep voice that wound its way to her insides, turning them to jelly.
After loading the car, they headed for the turnoff on the outskirts of the city. “Before we go any farther, do you want to check on Fausto?”
“There’s nothing I’d love more.” Lanza adored him for suggesting it. “But if we did that, we might as well have not taken him to the refuge in the first place.”
“Thus speaks my rational other half.”
Even to her own ears, her remark had sounded like a nitpicking wife. She never wanted to be that kind of wearisome woman a man couldn’t wait to get away from.
Lanza lowered her head. “I’m afraid that didn’t come out right. I was thinking of his welfare without realizing you’re missing him, too.”
He reached over to clasp her hand, instilling her with warmth. “We’ll have to stay busy so we don’t worry about him. Oh—while I think about it, take a look at the photo on my phone.” He pulled out his cell phone. “I took a picture of him for us to remember before I ran after you.”
She did his bidding and found an adorable headshot of Fausto. He was looking up from the box.
Stefano... I love you, I love you.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THAT EVENING STEFANO set their table on a blanket by the fireplace with all kinds of treats. They’d bought pizza they could warm up. He opened two bottles of beer for them before settling down to play Scrabble while they ate.
After an afternoon of skiing, they were comfortably tired. Tonight there was a special glow about Lanza in the firelight. This evening she wore her hair long. He wished she always wore it this way, loose and flowing. The flush on her cheek was new. He hoped her heightened color before she’d started drinking the beer meant she loved being with him, too.
For his part, he was happy in a way hard to articulate. He couldn’t think of another place he’d rather be. As for being with a woman, he had all the woman he wanted right here. Day after day his desire for her had been escalating. Though he’d been sexually attracted to other women, he hadn’t felt like this. Being with Lanza was different. She excited him on too many other levels and he worried what her true feelings were for him.
He couldn’t tell if she was ready to be loved into oblivion. But before the week was out, he intended to show and tell her how much he wanted her. Forget being comfortable together. They were beyond that.
But if, heaven forbid, he learned that she only tolerated him and the sex that was expected—which he couldn’t believe—then things would have to change. They would have a long talk about the best way to make her happy. Lanza didn’t deserve to live in a cage if that was how she still felt about their marriage.
“How do you like the beer?” She’d just taken her first sip.
Her enticing mouth smiled at him. “I didn’t think it would be this delicious.”
“You’re a good sport.”
“I’m telling you the truth. I really liked it. What a surprise.”
He studied her out of half-veiled eyes. She was the surprise. Watching her ski today and witness how fast she improved with just a few tips was another exciting revelation to him. Stefano realized his wife could do anything and made the most wonderful companion he could ever have dreamed of.
“Are you tired, Lanza?”
“Pleasantly so. I should have told you before now that you outskied everyone on the piste today. Are you sure you weren’t on the Umbriano ski team in another life?”
He chuckled. “Would it surprise you to know Alberto had that distinction for a season?”
She got to her feet. “I had no idea, but I believe you could outski anyone.”
“You think?” He loved bantering with her.
“I know.”
She started cleaning up, but he didn’t want this night to end. “The dishes will wait.”
“I can tell you’re tired, too. It’s better to do them now before all that beer gets the best of us.”
“Slave driver.”
“I heard that.” Her grin got to him.
He followed her into the kitchen with the items that needed to go in the fridge. While she stood at the sink to load the dishwasher, he wanted her so much he couldn’t resist sliding his arms around her waist. In an instant his plan to go slowly and woo her for a few more days had just gone up in smoke.
Stefano pulled her against him. “Do you have any idea how good you feel? How marvelous you smell?” he murmured against her nape, bringing her closer. “I’ve been wanting to do this all day.” He turned her around and saw the startled look in those heavenly blue eyes. “I need to kiss you again before I go mad.”
Stefano didn’t give her a chance to breathe as he closed his mouth over hers. He was so hungry for her, he was close to devouring her. His lips roved over every beautiful feature before kissing her again and again. When she clung to him like she’d done before, he knew she wanted this. Desire wasn’t something you could hide when it was the real thing.
Unable to stop what was happening, he picked her up in his arms and carried her to one of the couches where he lay back and pulled her down. She trembled as he locked her to him, loving the feel of her hands and mouth that were driving him crazy.
The more they kissed and found ways to bring each other pleasure, the more he discovered he couldn’t assuage his longing.
“Stefano.” She suddenly said his name. To his chagrin, she eased herself away from him before getting to her feet. She was breathing hard.
He sat up. “Have I done something to offend you?”
“It’s not that.”
“Yes, it is. I’m going too fast.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I’ve been enjoying this time with you a great deal more than I thought I would. That’s something I hadn’t anticipated. But I guess I still need a little more time.”
“That’s what I was afraid of.”
“It isn’t that I don’t want to make love, Stefano, but this is all happening so fast.”
“That’s true, but things have changed, or so I thought.”
“You know they have.” She folded her arms. “Perhaps because you’re a man, you can follow through with your natural inclinations when it appeals to you. Obviously, I’ve had no problem in that regard, either. But we’re not in a hurry, are we?”
“Of course not.”
She’d just hung him with his own words by reminding him of that terrible message he’d sent to her about no wedding night. But within a very short amount of time, that man had disappeared. He wanted to take it all back and start over. A lance piercing his body couldn’t have done more damage and it was his own fault.
On a groan, Stefano
got up from the couch. “We have a lifetime to work everything out. There’s one thing I know about you already. I’ll always be able to count on your honesty.”
Though it was going to take time, Stefano was determined to win her heart. She was a prize beyond all others. Time was all he had now that he was her husband. Hopefully, their marriage would last for the rest of their lives.
“I depend on yours, too,” she murmured. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to bed.” She picked up the radio to take with her.
“I’m sure you’re tired and bed sounds good to you.”
“It does.” She started for the hallway.
“We have another exciting day of skiing tomorrow,” he reminded her.
“I can’t wait,” she called over her shoulder.
He believed she meant that. So far they’d enjoyed doing everything together whether cooking, tending Fausto, playing cards or talking. Among other things his wife was a natural at sports, and a moment ago she’d been on fire for him, displaying a hunger for him that was thrilling.
There was no way she could turn off those feelings at will any more than he could. But she didn’t have that much experience dealing with desire. He had to ease her into making love with him.
Tomorrow they’d eat dinner at the lodge in disguise once they’d had their fill of skiing. He couldn’t wait. Afterward, he’d take her into the bar for dancing where he would have a legitimate reason to put his arms around her and feel the mold of her beautiful body close to him.
He put the game away and turned down the fire before heading for his bedroom. Once he’d looked at his emails, he’d take a quick shower and crawl into bed. Alone. But he didn’t intend for this state of affairs to last much longer.
* * *
Lanza threw herself across the bed and broke down sobbing into her pillow.
Lying in Stefano’s arms tonight, relishing the taste and feel of him, had brought her ecstasy. But she was afraid he didn’t love her. The thought that his heart might not be involved had sent a chill through her body and she’d been the one to break it off.
The thought of his making love to her if he wasn’t in love the same way she was hurt her so much she couldn’t lie there any longer. It would be better to keep her distance from him and not succumb to her own longings. He’d never take her with him to one of his mines, and she’d spend part of her life in pain every time he went away.
Things would get easier once they’d returned to the palace. The difficulty lay in getting through the rest of this week while they were alone. Yet, there was nothing she wanted more in this world than to stay here with him indefinitely.
Lanza decided she had to be out of her mind. Donetta would tell her she was crazy not to live it up the way a man would do, especially with a husband who looked like Stefano. She could hear her sister now. Forget being in love. There is no such thing. Enjoy!
Fausta would have a different take on it. She would tell her there was no reason why she couldn’t have her own secret lover. It wasn’t natural to be forced to stay in a marriage with no joy. Her sister was right, but Lanza couldn’t see herself being unfaithful, or even getting interested in another man. What would be the use? Stefano was in a class of his own.
At four in the morning Lanza awakened, shocked to realize she’d never gotten ready for bed. The wind had picked up during the night and moaned around the bedroom windows.
She hurried into the bathroom to change into her nightgown and brush her teeth. When she got into bed, she turned on the radio to a music station to blot out the howling of the wind. There hadn’t been a sign of it during the day, but the weather changed fast up here in the mountains.
Lanza finally fell asleep again and didn’t get up until ten in the morning. The wind was even stronger than before and the sky had grown dark. That meant another storm was on the way. They wouldn’t be able to ski today. She doubted any lifts could run with these gusts.
She scrambled out of bed to get dressed and brush her hair, which she tied back at the nape. Once she’d done her makeup, she headed for the kitchen, hungry for a pastry and some juice. When she opened the fridge, she saw that the leftover pizza was gone, providing Stefano with breakfast. He’d probably gone outside after eating.
Lanza took her food into the living room where he’d turned up the fire and switched on a lamp. Though Stefano had watered their Christmas tree, it didn’t look well. She wandered over to the window while she munched. The spectacular view of the mountains never ceased to exhilarate her, especially with the clouds moving in.
Maybe if Stefano didn’t have any other plans for today, she could ask him to show her his huge map of the mines and learn what he did. The wealth he brought into his country staggered her.
As she turned to go back to the kitchen, he walked into the living room, dressed in jeans and a pullover with a look of concern on his face. “I’m glad you’re up,” he said in his deep voice that told her something was wrong. “I was about to waken you.”
Her heart pounded. “What is it?”
Lines bracketed his mouth. “I was doing some work on the computer this morning when I received an emergency alert message from my mining manager in Zacatecas, Mexico. There was a cave-in at the Casale mine that has trapped some miners. I have to go and have arranged for the jet.”
No. Her heart lurched. “Of course you do. I’m so sorry this has happened. Those poor men and families. What can I do to help?”
“I contacted Enzo. He’ll be here at two to help close things up and get you to the airport so you can fly home to Domodossola.”
“Please don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
He shook his head. “This wasn’t the way I planned for the rest of this week to go.”
“Accidents happen, Stefano. You think I don’t understand?”
“That’s the thing. I know you do, thank God. Where’s your phone? Besides Enzo’s, I’m putting in the number at the main office at the mine in case you can’t reach me and there’s an emergency here at home.” When that was done, he gave it back to her and grabbed his suitcase.
She walked him downstairs. Wind almost knocked her over when he opened the door before they hurried to the car. “I wish you didn’t have to fly out in this.”
“Don’t worry. This is nothing.” He tossed his bag into the back seat, then turned to her. “I’ll call you after I’ve arrived and give you an update.”
“Please be safe.”
“You took the words right out of my mouth, Signora Casale.” He gave her a long, hungry kiss, then got in and shut the door. She watched through tear-filled eyes until she couldn’t see him anymore.
That kiss had reduced her to the lovesick wife she was fighting hard not to be. Little did he know he was taking her heart with him before she went inside the chalet where she’d known the greatest happiness of her life.
Her thoughts were reeling. The last thing she wanted was to go home to the palace. A part of her had hoped he would ask her to fly to Mexico with him. How ridiculous was that?
When she got upstairs she called her Zia Ottavia. Everyone believed she and Stefano would be on their honeymoon in the Caribbean until the end of the week. No one would be the wiser if she spent time with her aunt. Hopefully, by then, Stefano would be able to fly home and they would arrive at the palace together.
Her mother’s older sister was the best friend she’d ever had. She answered on the second ring. “Pronto?”
“Zia Ottavia? It’s Lanza.”
“Lanza! Are you calling from the tropics?”
“No, no. It’s a long story, but you can’t tell a soul. Are you up for a visitor?”
“How soon?”
“Today.”
“Ehi? I don’t understand.”
“I’ll explain later, but only if your invitation is still open.”
“I want you to come
anytime. You know that!”
Lanza was on the verge of tears. “Thank you for being so wonderful. I probably won’t be at your house before evening. I’ll take a taxi. Fino a tardi, Zia.”
She hurried to the bedroom and phoned the airport. There was a flight to Rome at four-thirty. If Enzo got here on time, she’d be able to make it.
Once she’d made the reservation, she phoned him and he assured her he would be there by two at the latest. After she hung up, she started packing and made her bed. Then she fixed breakfast and cleaned up the kitchen.
At quarter to two she turned off the fireplace switch and went downstairs with her bag and coat. Enzo had just pulled up to the door. He did a quick final inspection of the chalet before they left for the city.
“Stefano is so lucky to have a friend like you. I really appreciate your helping me.”
“I’m delighted to do something important for him. He was very worried about leaving you alone.”
“I’m the one who’s worried. A mine cave-in is so awful. If anyone dies, I know he’ll take it on.”
“He will, but he can handle anything. I’ve found that out over the years.”
When they reached the airport, he walked her inside with her bags. She turned to him. “You’ve done enough. Please don’t think you have to stay with me.”
“I want to and I promised Stefano I’d wait till you boarded your flight. I told him I’d arrange for someone from the palace to meet your plane.”
“No, no, Enzo. That won’t be necessary, but thank you. I’m flying to Rome to stay with my aunt. She invited me to stay with her at the wedding. Now I’m taking her up on it.”
His eyes widened.
“I’m hoping Stefano will be back in time for the two of us to arrive at the palace together.”
“I see.”
They walked to the gate for the flights going to Italy. “Please don’t tell him. When he calls me, I’ll let him know I’m in Rome.”
His eyes danced. “Your wish is my command, Your Highness.”
She laughed. “Don’t you dare Your Highness me! Since our marriage I’ve forgotten all about being titled. If I’d had the courage to tell my father I didn’t want to live a royal life, I would have been long gone like Stefano.”
The Princess's New Year Wedding (The Princess Brides Book 1) Page 12
