by Miranda Lee
They all smiled whilst he clicked away for ages. Finally he stopped, after which Jordan was besieged by every single male guest, wanting a kiss from the bride.
‘Enough!’ Gino said at long last, and shepherded Jordan down the steep steps to the waiting limousine which would whisk them off to the reception venue—a lovely villa overlooking the River Tiber. More photographs were scheduled to be taken in the lush gardens, which featured some simply amazing fountains.
‘It’s so good to have my beautiful bride to myself,’ Gino said with a possessive clinch once they were alone in the back of the limousine. ‘My beautiful Italian bride.’
‘Not quite yet,’ she returned. ‘We have to wait six months to apply for spousal citizenship.’
‘That’s just another piece of paper,’ Gino said. ‘You are already Italian in spirit. Everyone says so.’
Jordan smiled. ‘I simply adore Italy. And Italians. All your family make me feel so loved.’
‘You are a very lovable woman,’ Gino said, and kissed her softly on the cheek.
Jordan’s heart turned over. ‘You haven’t told me where you’re taking me on our honeymoon,’ she whispered.
‘We will stay tonight in Rome, then tomorrow we are going to set sail on a cruise through the Mediterranean on a luxury yacht. I hope that is to your liking?’
‘Anywhere with you is to my liking, Gino.’
Gino smiled at the woman he loved more than life itself. ‘You are going to make the most beautiful mother.’
‘Yes,’ she returned, her lovely blue eyes twinkling with sudden mischief. ‘In about eight months’ time.’
Gino’s breath caught. ‘You’re pregnant already?’ She’d only stopped taking the pill last month.
‘It’s not really a surprise, is it? You never leave me alone.’
‘You don’t mind become a mother this soon?’
‘Are you kidding me? I’m nearly thirty years old. It’s way past time, don’t you think?’
“It is the right time,’ he said. ‘Ten years ago would not have been the right time, Jordan. I would not have made a good father then. I will be a good father to our children now: more patient, and less selfish.’
‘I needed to grow up too,’ she conceded. ‘And to do what I had to do. But I think I’ve had my fill of being a legal crusader now. I want to live a more peaceful life as a wife and mother.’
Gino’s laugh took her aback.
‘What does that laugh mean?’
‘Who are you kidding, Jordan? You were born to be a lawyer—just as I was born to be an engineer. I bucked my destiny for a while, but I actually love building things—just like you love getting justice for your clients. You’ll soon become bored with being just a wife and mother.’
‘You think so?’ Admittedly, there had been times in the last few months when she’d missed the cut and thrust of the court room, the adrenaline rush she got when she heard that the jury had reached its verdict, and she missed the kind of satisfaction she got from winning cases like Sharni Johnson’s.
‘I know so,’ Gino said. ‘Look, when we finally return to Melbourne, why not open your own practice? Then you can work your own hours and pick only the clients you really care about.’
Jordan smiled. ‘You know me too well.’
‘Indeed I do,’ he said, with that knowing gleam in his eyes. ‘So, my love, what are you wearing underneath that gorgeous wedding dress of yours?’
‘That’s for me to know and you not to find out,’ she retorted saucily. ‘Not till tonight.’
He peered deep into her eyes till she blushed.
‘I think I know already.’
‘You’re a wicked man,’ came her shaky admission. ‘You make me do wicked things.’
‘You love it.’
‘I love you.’
Gino sighed a triumphant sigh. ‘I will never tire of hearing you say that.’
‘I love you,’ she repeated, her eyes sparkling as she lifted her mouth to his.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-0532-5
BLACKMAILED INTO THE ITALIAN’S BED
First North American Publication 2007.
Copyright © 2007 by Miranda Lee.
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