That idea appealed to Rome. When it came to romantic walks, what could beat a stroll by a bubbling brook in New Orleans?
To Rome’s disappointment the evening was just cool enough for her to drape a scarf over her shoulders but not so cool she needed his arms around her. He would have welcomed the excuse to hold her tight. He would have to be patient, he guessed. If all went as he hoped he would have her in his arms soon enough. The walk was refreshing and ended up being quite the appetite booster. As they left the quiet stream and made their way back to the house his stomach betrayed him with an embarrassing growl.
Arie laughed out loud, her bright eyes flashing in the dying rays of the setting sun. “I won’t keep you waiting a minute longer,” she said. “Come on. Race you back to the porch.”
Before he could even react she was off, tearing across the lawn, looking like a fairy floating on the wind. With a laugh, Rome set off after her but it was no use. The girl was small but deceptively quick. Within seconds she was hopping up and down on the porch, gloating at her victory.
“You lose,” she cried, clapping her hands in glee. “That means you do the dishes.”
“Hey, no fair.” He came to a panting halt at the foot of the steps. “You didn’t tell me there was a penalty.”
“It doesn’t matter. You still couldn’t beat me.” With a grin and a haughty look of superiority, she turned and sauntered sexily back into the house, leaving him to humbly follow in her wake.
The meal Arie had prepared was well worth the wait. Tonight she was treating him to a true Italian feast. To his surprise she’d gone through all the trouble of preparing the traditional Christmas Eve fare, which included all of seven different types of fish. Thank God she hadn’t gone over that number. There were still regions in Italy where Christmas Eve dinner included up to eleven or even thirteen varieties. Tonight he was hungry, but thirteen different varieties of fish? Not that hungry.
“I made you La Vigilia Napoletane,” she said as she ladled the portions onto his plate. “I wanted to remind you of home.” She was smiling as she filled his plate but it was a smile so wistful that it touched Rome’s heart. “I guess you and your family have this every year at Christmas time. Like a family tradition, right?”
Rome was looking up at her but she’d gazed away, seeming momentarily lost in a world of her own. “Yes, we do,” he said as he watched the emotions flit across her face. “I’ve had Christmas broccoli and fried eel all of the thirty-one Christmases I’ve been on this earth.”
“Nice,” she said softly then she blinked and when she looked down at him he could see she’d dragged herself back to the here and now.
She sat in the chair by his side and they proceeded to partake of the delicious meal, with Arie plying him with questions about Italy. She was especially fascinated with the cuisine. Rome was no expert but he did his best to satisfy her curiosity.
“So what’s your favorite Italian dish?” she asked as she popped a bit of food into her mouth.
“That’s easy. Spaghetti.”
“Spaghetti?” She laughed and it was a lighthearted laugh that told him she was back to her perky mood. “That’s so ordinary.”
He shrugged. “That’s why I like it. No fanfare, just hearty food.” He reached for his glass of water and took a sip. “In fact, if you asked my brothers I’d bet they’d say the same thing. When we were kids we would eat it every day if they’d let us.”
That made her tilt her head as she gazed at him, the light of curiosity shining in her eyes. “Are you from a big family?”
He nodded. “Pretty big, I guess. I have three brothers and two sisters. That makes six of us plus Mama and Papa, Nonno and Nonna and tons of aunts, uncles and cousins.”
Arie rested her chin on her palm, her gaze never wavering from his face. “That’s a huge family. What’s a no-no?”
“Nonno,” Rome said with a soft chuckle. “That’s my grandpa. He’s the one who always takes charge of fixing Christmas dinner. This year will be no exception.”
Arie’s eyes widened. “Your grandpa’s still alive?”
Rome laughed. “Alive and well and strong as an ox. He’ll be busy in the kitchen with Nonna by his side. I can promise you that."
“Wow.” It was a soft, breathy whisper that was full of wonder. “It must be something, having all of you together. That’s like three generations.” She shook her head. “No, four if there are any little ones in the picture.”
He nodded. “My sisters have five kids between them so it’s quite a zoo when we all meet for the holidays.”
She grinned. “I’d love to be a fly on that wall. It’s got to be better than watching T.V.”
That comment made Rome’s smile fade. As he watched her face his mood grew serious. “And is that what you do, Arie? Watch T.V when the holidays come around?”
For a second her smile faltered and then it disappeared altogether. She dropped her gaze then began toying with her fork. “Not always. Thanksgiving is usually busy but Lena insists that we close for Christmas Day.” She looked up and as she spoke her voice grew stronger. “I usually try to get out of the house. I help out at the soup kitchen downtown but last year all the volunteer spots were taken so I ended up staying home.” She shrugged. “There was nothing else to do but watch T.V.”
“And what about friends?”
“I go to Lena’s sometimes but I don’t want to be a burden.” She gave him a half-guilty look. “Sometimes I make up stories so she won’t feel bad. Christmas is a time for family, you know. I don’t want to spoil that for her all the time.”
Rome stared at her for a second, sensing the loneliness she must be feeling. “Somehow,” he said softly, “I don’t think you would.”
Then, filled with the sudden desire to comfort her, he slid his hand across the table and covered hers in what he hoped was a reassuring grasp.
At his touch she looked up and her eyes shimmered with what could only be unshed tears.
That was his undoing. The sight of her sadness ripped into his soul. He reached out and took her other hand then got up, taking her with him. “Come to me, darling,” he said quietly. “I need a hug.”
When he saw her lips tremble, and when she stepped into his arms and clung to him like she’d never let go, he knew he’d done the right thing. More than anything, what Arie needed right then was someone to hold on to, someone to show her that she mattered.
For a long time Rome held her close, rocking her like a baby, wanting so badly to shield her from the pain. There was little he could do about the past but maybe, even for this one evening, he could make her forget her sorrow and live for the moment they were together.
Placing a finger under her chin he gently lifted her face to his then gave a feather-light kiss that told her she was special.
“Come,” he said softly. “Let’s dance.”
***
Arie could not believe what was happening. Just because Rome told her about his family she’d almost turned into a blubbering mess. It had taken all of her self-control to keep the sobs inside and just hold on to him until the tumultuous waves of emotions subsided. It took a while but thankfully, by the time he asked her to dance, she was composed enough to take his hand and then lead him to her favorite part of the house.
It was a sitting room of sorts, with walls lined with books and a comfy sofa where she would often curl up with a good book. It was here that she had her music library and it was here that she would often daydream about love and laughter and family. Will I ever get married, she would wonder, and have a husband to come home to me every evening, little ones running under foot, a doggy to bark and keep me up at night, and a fluffy old cat to warm my toes? But tonight, for the first time, she would not be alone daydreaming in this room. Tonight she would be dancing with Rome. And it was like a princess's dream come true. Like a fairy-tale prince he led her onto the dance floor – in this case, the rug-covered floor of the sitting room – and with the poise of a seasoned dancer he
led her through one love ballad then another, now dancing to Brian McKnight’s ‘Crazy Love’ then Celine Dion’s ‘Because You Loved Me’ then ‘All My Life’ by K-Ci & JoJo. By the time they got to 'Here and Now' by Luther Vandross, Arie was practically melting in Rome’s arms.
And when he lowered his head to touch his lips to her bare shoulder she was ready for anything he had to give.
And, it seemed, he wanted to give plenty.
Rome skimmed his lips over her super-sensitive skin, sending shivers up and down her body, making her bite her lip to keep from moaning. Then, just as she was recovering from that shock, he stepped up his attack, trailing kisses across her collarbone and up the column of her neck, making her gasp out loud.
Rome must have taken her audible reaction as license to take control because he took that trail of kisses across her cheek until he’d covered her mouth with his and was kissing her so ardently that sitting room, music, everything was forgotten in the heat of the passion between them.
When he finally released her lips it was to bend and lift her into his arms then he was striding over to the couch where he laid her gently against the cushions.
As he sat on the edge of the sofa, gazing down at her with eyes dark with desire, Arie could see that he was just as affected as she was. Eyes hooded, his breathing shallow, the pulse beating at his throat was now visible, ample evidence of the height of his arousal.
And then, as she watched his face, she saw that there was something more. He wanted her, that much was obvious, but there was a kindness in his eyes, a hint of caring that she’d never seen before. And that, more than anything, made her want him more.
Reaching up, she pulled his face down to her and this time it was she who was taking the lead. Arie molded his lips to hers and then she was kissing him so fiercely he would have no doubt that she wanted him with every inch of her being. In that kiss she put all the attraction she felt for him, all the pent-up desire, all the frustration of knowing he was so far removed from her, all the unrequited love that consumed her.
Rome answered in kind and soon he was holding her to the promise she’d made in her kiss. Pressing her back into the cushions, he drew his mouth away to caress her neck and then the tops of her breasts with his mouth. He must have seen her nipples peak in her dress because, to her sweet relief, he slid the strap off her shoulders then down the length of her arms until her laced-covered breasts were exposed to his gaze. Without hesitation he covered those sensitive orbs with sweet kisses that made her grow moist with desire.
She was ready for Rome in so many ways. Her body was eager and so was she. Her mind, her soul, her heart, they were all attuned to the symphony he was playing with his lips and with his hands.
When Rome reached behind to unsnap her bra she did not resist. Instead, she reached up to quickly loosen the buttons on his shirt, leaving his body bare to her hungry gaze. She was not disappointed. His body was painfully beautiful, so perfectly sculpted she could find no flaw in him. Reaching up, she pulled him down so she could feather kisses across his belly then delicately lick the shallow dip of his navel, making him groan.
Spurred on by the sexy sound of his arousal Arie reached for his belt buckle, her fingers shaking as she struggled to undo that one thing that was keeping her from enjoying all of him. When his hand slid down to cover hers she sighed, glad that he would help her reach her goal.
But then he released her hands and stepped back and away from the couch. To her surprise, instead of undoing the buckle Rome pulled his shirt closed and swiftly buttoned it up again. His eyes never leaving hers, he tucked the shirt back into his trousers.
What in the world was going on?
Even as the confusion swept through her Rome leaned over to pull her dress back up and over her exposed bosom. Then he sat on the edge of the sofa and looked down at her. Slowly, he shook his head. “No,” he said, his face serious. “We don’t want this.”
Arie could only stare up at him, searching his face for a clue to what she’d done wrong. “I don’t understand. I thought…you wanted this, too.”
“No, I don’t,” he said, his face rigid and his voice firm. “And neither do you.”
He got up from the sofa where she lay, frozen and frigid like a statue made of marble. “I’m going now,” he said. “I’m sorry but I just need to be alone. I have a lot to think about.
Arie just barely had the presence of mind to get up, straighten her clothes and walk him to the door.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said. “Goodnight, Arie.”
She barely responded to the peck he placed on her forehead.
She just stood there watching him walk back down the driveway, her heart weeping at the shock of his cold rejection.
CHAPTER SIX
It had been days since Rome had dinner at Arie’s house and he was missing her like crazy. He’d called her the following day, just like he’d promised, but she’d been so aloof that the conversation hadn’t lasted more than a couple of minutes.
And who could blame her for being so cold? He’d pretty much walked out on her, right in the middle of their passionate embrace.
But he’d had to.
The fact was, it was right when they were about to cross that threshold, just at the point where in another minute they’d be making love, that it hit him right between the eyes. He didn’t just want to make love to Arie. He wanted her for always.
Rome was in love.
It was the shock of that realization that made him pull up short. It was so sudden. He’d only known her little more than a month but in his heart he knew she was the one. Immediately, another thought flashed through his mind. He didn’t want their first time to be just casual sex. No, he wanted to do it right. He could not go through with it.
But how could he have told Arie all that? He hadn’t even had time to process it himself. He needed time to absorb the whole thing. Right then he needed to be alone.
And so he’d left – fled was probably a more accurate word – so that he could take stock of the new Rome Milano, the one who, for the first time in his life, was actually contemplating settling down.
After two days of trying and not getting Arie Rome had to fly out to Italy to be with his family for the holidays. It grieved him that he’d not been able to kiss her goodbye. He hadn’t even been able to speak to her. She was refusing all his calls.
Now it was Christmas Eve, he was all the way in Italy and Arie, most likely, was all alone.
But Rome had a wicked plan up his sleeve.
Christmas Day dawned sunny and bright in Italy. At least, that was what Rome heard. On that bright and beautiful morning he was nowhere near the place. Instead, he was tearing up the wonderfully empty highway on his way to Arie’s house.
She’d refused his calls to her office. She’d refused to answer her cell phone. Today he would try neither one. He would camp out on her doorstep if he had to. The day would not end before he held Arie in his arms again.
As soon as he’d pulled up in front of her house Rome hopped out of the Maserati and ran up the steps to pound on the front door. Remembering the bell he pressed it two times, three times and four and then he was pounding on the door again, anxious to see the woman who could make him feel whole.
He was just about to give up and set up that ‘doorstep’ camp he’d planned when the door opened and Arie came into view.
For a fleeting second he thought he saw something in her eyes. Was it joy? Relief? Could it be love? But then it disappeared and although she smiled at him it was a smile so tinged with hurt that all he wanted to do was gather in his arms and protect her from all the pain she’d ever had to go through.
But then he was part of that pain, wasn’t he? But now he was here to set things right.
“Rome,” she said, her voice soft and hesitant. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d be in Italy…with your family.”
He shook his head. “I already saw them. I just got back last night. I couldn’t stay a
way, Arie. I want to spend Christmas with you.”
Eyes wide, she stared up at him and then she shook her head. “With me? But why? I thought…” Her breath caught in her throat and she bit her lip. Then she shook her head. “You said…” She broke off and her lips began to tremble.
Seeing her distress, Rome stepped forward and caught her hands in his. “I know what I said, honey, and I’m sorry I hurt you. So sorry.” He lifted her hands to his lips and kissed them softly then he looked deep into her eyes. “I left suddenly that night because something amazing happened. Something I just could not explain. I have to admit, it threw me upside down. I needed some time to work it out in my head.”
He drew in his breath and now he was smiling down at her. She was listening intently and that was all he needed, just the chance to tell her how he felt. “Arie, that night we were together, I fell in love. It was like nothing I’d ever felt before.” He took the chance and pulled her one step closer. “Arie, I’m in love with you. Will you make this Christmas the happiest I’ve ever had? Will you be my wife?”
Arie sucked in her breath and her grip on his hands tightened. “Rome,” she gasped, “are you…do you…I…don’t believe it.” She looked like she was just about ready to cry.
“Believe it, my darling. I love you and if you’ll have me you’ll never spend another Christmas alone.”
"But…we just met…like six weeks ago. Are you sure?” There was doubt in her gaze but a light of hope was there, too. She loved him. He could see it.
“I’m sure, Arie. One hundred percent. Call it love at first sight, call it a whirlwind romance. Call it whatever you want as long as you say you’ll be Mrs. Rome Milano. Will you say yes? Please?”
Arie shook her head but she was laughing, her joy spilling out as she moved closer to press her face into his chest and wrap her arms around him. “Yes, Rome. Yes, yes, yes. I want to be your wife.”
Rome was laughing, too, as he stroked her back and bent to kiss the top of her head. “Then let’s go inside. This time we’re going to spend Christmas together.”
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