Epilogue
3 MONTHS LATER
W hen Mary stepped outside the Sistine Chapel, the November drizzle barely hit her new red cashmere beret before Alex flipped the umbrella up over her head.
Thanks, she murmured, tucking her chin into her also-new cashmere coat. It was a luxury, and her old parka would ve done the job, but a honeymoon in Rome called for something special. Or so Alex told her when he offered to buy it for her.
But she d proudly used her own card and the profits from her wedding planning business. Alex had also advised her that as a business owner, she should pay herself first.
The toasty-warm, soft cashmere was worth every penny.
Put your beanie on. She reached for the handle of the umbrella and ogled her new husband only a little as he pulled his blue knit cap over his dark waves. Despite his dorky hat, he was so handsome she couldn t resist rising on the toes of her walking flats to kiss the pink tip of his nose.
What was that for? he asked with a grin.
I ve never seen you in a beanie before. It makes you look like an art student. Or my sexy art professor. She bit her lip.
Wicked woman. If I have to take you back to the hotel to satisfy your fantasies, it s going to throw off our schedule. If we want to make it to St. Peter s Basilica, we ve got to leave now. It ll be faster if we hail a cab. He stepped toward the street, scanning it for a taxi.
Wait. She stilled him with a hand on his arm, her new wedding ring glinting next to the giant engagement ring she hadn t yet gotten used to. We re in Rome. I want to slow down and enjoy it.
He stepped back under the umbrella, his face only inches from hers. You really want to go back to the hotel and do the art professor roleplay?
She laughed. Not really. But I do want to sit in a café with my husband and watch Rome go by.
Heedless of the other people on the sidewalk, he gathered her into his arms. I thought you wanted to see all the sights on your honeymoon in Rome.
I did. But then I remembered that there s a joy in going with the flow, too. I m sorry to mess up the itinerary you worked so hard on.
She could see the effort it cost him to relax his shoulders as he let go of his carefully structured plans. It s fine. We ll make other trips to Italy. We ll see the basilica next time. Right now, I want to do whatever my wife wants to do. And if that s sipping wine at some overpriced sidewalk café in the rain, then that s what we ll do.
Thank you. This time, she kissed his lips. And after the café, I want to buy one of those beautiful scarves I see the Italian women wearing.
Then we ll head toward the Spanish Steps. And I ll buy you the most beautiful scarf you can find.
Mmm, yes, please. I know exactly how to thank you when we get back to the hotel.
You can give me a little taste now. He pressed his lips against hers, his tongue teasing her lower lip.
She jerked back. We just came out of a church!
But we re on our honeymoon in Rome. Jesus would understand. The Pope too, I bet.
Come on. She seized his hand and pulled him along the street she thought led toward Rome. Though if it was the wrong direction, Alex would guide her back to the right path. He had an unwavering sense of direction. Well, except where she d been concerned. He d taken a long, meandering journey back to her after high school. But they d both ended up exactly where they needed to be.
Together.
He held tight to her hand and led her straight out of Vatican City. They had to stop in the souvenir shops, of course. She hadn t yet found the Pope John Paul II bobblehead she wanted to surprise Rafe with. Apparently, everyone else wanted him, too.
And when their leisurely, romantic walk in the rain ended at a boutique near the Piazza di Spagna, there were too many beautiful scarves to choose only one. Alex bought her three. He wrapped the red patterned one around her neck, the silk quickly warming against her skin.
He didn t check his phone once at the outdoor café as they sipped the most delicious wine Mary had ever tasted. He seemed content to look where she pointed—at an adorable dog, or a man who looked like Michael, or even a cute handbag—and almost always agreed with her.
It was dusk when they returned to their hotel to change for dinner. Their room overlooked the Trevi fountain, lit up in greens and golds, and Mary paused in front of the window to admire it.
It s not quite as showy as the one at the Bellagio at home, is it?
Showy? His arms came around her, and his familiar vanilla scent loosened her joints until she felt as supple as her new scarf. Today, we saw some of the world s most famous art. And people have been admiring that fountain for hundreds of years. Yet you compare it to a garish hotel in the most lurid city in the world?
She turned in his arms to put her back to the view. Don t think I haven t loved every minute we ve spent in Italy. But I guess I m a Vegas girl at heart. I want a little zhuzh. She traced the sharp line of his jaw. I guess that s why I like you so much.
You re saying I m more of a Bellagio fountain than a Trevi?
You re almost too pretty for everyday use. Like my grandmother s china.
Almost? His lips tipped up into a smirk.
Almost. But I like having you every day. She rose to her tiptoes and kissed him.
And I love you. Every day.
Even when I m not appreciative enough of the most famous fountain in the world?
Maybe you ll appreciate it more if we associate it with something even more pleasurable. He led her to the wingback chair next to the window and guided her to sit. You can see the fountain?
It s hard to miss. It s big and lit up and…oh.
He d dropped to his knees and flipped up her skirt. He worked her tights and panties down over her hips and knees, then tossed them aside. Watch the fountain. I ve got something even more beautiful to appreciate.
A thrill raced over her skin as his hot breath gusted across her center.
Mmm. Already so wet for me. He smoothed his thumb over her, then licked it. He laid his glistening thumb on her clit and vibrated it.
She bowed her back, almost rising out of the chair.
Ah-ah-ah. His smile was devious as he used one hand to guide her hips back onto the chair. Remember, you re watching the fountain.
I d rather look at you. But she dutifully gazed at the fountain, at the people gathered around it who d never be as lucky as she was, with her sexy husband about to make her come.
Good girl, he purred, making her shiver.
In the three months since he d sung to her at Cierra s wedding, Alex had seemingly made it his job to learn all the things that made her body sing. He plunged two expert fingers inside her and curled them to reach the spot that lit her up inside. At the same time, he vibrated his thumb, sparking pleasure that tingled to every nerve.
Eyes open.
His words made her realize she d squeezed her eyes shut to savor the sensations he was giving her. Her eyes flew open, and she kept them on the fountain s main figure, Oceanus, imagining him as Alex, wielding his power over the waves of pleasure that crashed through her. It didn t take her long to reach her peak, and she moaned as her body tensed under his fingers.
He kept his thumb still on her clit as she came down, her body loose.
Did you find a new appreciation for Rome? he asked, his lips curling up.
I already loved Rome. Just like I ll love anywhere we go together.
He surged up to kiss her, long and slow. Then he stood and adjusted himself. Stay there. I ll get a washcloth to clean you up, then we ll go to dinner.
But I m not done yet. She gave him a mock-serious look.
Oh, I m sorry. He mirrored her teasing expression. I thought I just gave you an earth-shattering orgasm.
Consider it the opening act. Now I m ready for Wayne Newton. She put a hand on his belt buckle, feeling him stiffen under her palm.
I can never tell you no, he said, unbuckling his trousers.
I love that about you, too. When he lowered his pants and boxers, she stroked him from root to tip.
His eyes rolled back. God, Mary, how d I ever get so lucky?
Luck had nothing to do with it. It was all hard work and persistence. How many other men would have tried again after my brothers broke your nose?
He kneeled and nudged inside her. One hundred percent worth it.
And as they surged together like the rush of the water outside their window, she knew he was right. All the hurt that had broken them years ago had made them who they were, and they were stronger for it.
They were irrevocably joined, and nothing could split them apart now.
Not a wedding, and certainly not an old feud.
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