Chapter 41
Matteo
The following morning, we’re sitting on a beach blanket enjoying our coffees after my morning workout. It’s nice out here before the sun gets too oppressive.
“Tey?”
“Yes?”
Sydney draws circles in the sand with her index finger. “How come you never changed your name? Before now? I mean, Luca went by Luke Barrett here, right? And you said that Giovanni goes by Gianni Black. And Antonia goes by Luna. Why didn’t you change yours?”
I rub my hand over my sternum. “It was a pride thing. It was reckless. But when I decided to take my mother’s last name as my own, I couldn’t bear changing it to anything else. It felt like that was dishonoring her in some way. At the auto body shop, I listed Michael Brown as the owner’s name. But I never considered using it for anything else until…”
“Until what?”
“When we got married. When we had to fill out the marriage license, I suddenly felt I’d made a huge mistake.”
Her face falls.
“No, no.” I grab her hand, placing kisses across her knuckles. “Not about marrying you. Only that there was a paper trail connecting me to you.” My hand drops to my side, and I feel an instant smirk curl my lips.
Syd gives me a questioning glance.
“I was relieved you wanted to keep Cunningham. It was one more way to keep some separation from the Bianchi name. But in my haste to marry you, I hadn’t considered that there would be a searchable document out there linking us together. There wasn’t any way around it without ruining our day. Or risking you might walk away once I told you the whole story.”
I consider how angry she’s been at all of the secrets. But what if I’d been right? Would she have run screaming in the other direction once she found out? Because any sane woman might. As hard as this has been on both of us, I wouldn’t want to change what we have together. This woman was created for me. About this, I have no doubt.
The following evening, I approach Sydney’s condo. I can’t believe we’re going to try another cruise after the way the last one went. As she pulls the door open, I hold out the white floral box in my hands. It’s about the length of a bouquet of long stem roses.
“Wow. These are for me?” She beams up at me.
“Yes.”
Sliding the satin red bow from the box, she opens it to find it’s full of shells. Not flowers. She looks confused by the sight.
“I thought I’d stick to something less flammable.”
“Oh, god. You heard about that?”
“Yes, my little pyromaniac. Come on, let’s go before we miss the boat.” I can’t help wondering if that might not be a good thing. I’m tempted to beg her to stay in and snuggle on the couch while we watch a movie. But she seems excited to give this another try.
Night after night, I try to read her. Does she want more? After all I put her through, I don’t want to push if she’s not ready. But fuck, I miss sleeping with her. It would be torture to lie beside her and not have sex. Yet it’s got to be better than beating off every night. And at least I’d be able to fall asleep with her in my arms.
We take our places on the boat and prepare for a relaxing sunset cruise off of Captiva Island. At least I pray this time it’s relaxing.
One of the ship’s staff approaches, asking for drink orders. “Would you like a cocktail? A rum punch, perhaps?”
“No. I’ll have a sparkling water if you have one.” Temptation always swims just beneath the surface. But after intense therapy, I’m never going back there. “Would you like a glass of white wine, Syd?”
Her eyes spring open in horror. “No,” she snaps. “I’d love a ginger ale if you have it.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be right back with that.”
“Tesoro mio. You don’t have to give up what you love for me.” I wince. Hell, she’s already given up so much.
“Tey, I’m incredibly proud of you. I know it wasn’t easy going through rehab. I wouldn’t enjoy drinking in front of you.”
Pulling her into my side, I place a kiss on her temple. I’m so in love with this beautiful woman.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything. Never ever hesitate from here on out. I promise, there’s nothing you can’t ask.”
The young man returns with our drinks.
“After everything that’s gone wrong with the other dates, especially after I’ve kept you at such a distance, why are you still trying so hard? I’m surprised you haven’t given up on me.”
“Never.” I beam down at her. “Besides, you’re getting the whole ass kissing package. Whether you like it or not.” I sip my seltzer. “Please don’t think I didn’t want to do these things with you before. I’ve loved every second here with you. I only wanted to protect you, princepessa. I’d die before I’d let anything happen to you.”
“I know that now. I’m sorry you felt you couldn’t talk to me. I understand how hard all of this has been. And you’ve been so patient and understanding with me.”
The ship rumbles beneath our feet as the engines start up.
“As much as I appreciate you being respectful of my wishes, I think I’d kind of like the ass kissing you wanted to give me all of those months ago.”
My eyes spring wide. I start to grab her hand and pull her from the ship, but discover we’ve already gotten too far from the dock to swim to shore.
“Now you tell me.”
We make it back to the Inn a few hours later. I’ve never been more thankful for seasickness patches in my life. The last thing I wanted was for this night to end early because I couldn’t handle these cruises.
We’ve barely walked through her door, but I can’t be patient a moment longer. “I need you out of that dress.”
While Sydney makes quick work of pulling her tiny outfit over her head, I yank down my jeans and boxers, giving my heavy cock a stroke. I want her so much it’s almost painful. My eyes are trained on my wife’s barely there flesh-colored lace bra and panties. “On the bed, baby.” I quickly tug my shirt overhead and throw it on the floor.
It’s been months. I should go down on her. Get her ready for me. But I’m so anxious to sink into her I’m tempted to forego the meal in front of me. I swipe the flat of my tongue through the center of her wet panties and groan.
“Please. I need you, Tey. Don’t make me wait.”
Thank fuck. I was worried I’d come in my hand before I could get inside her. I climb above her, already picturing her riding me after this round is done. God, I love my wife. “I’ve missed this sweet pussy, princepessa. This is going to be hard and fast. But I plan to spend the rest of the night making up for lost time.”
Looking into her big blue eyes, I slowly push inside her. Once I’m fully seated, I still, letting her relax around me. I rock my hips back and forth; the sensation pushing me far too close to the edge.
I’d expected to pounce on her the moment she gave me the green light. But after all we’ve been through, the trust she’s placed in me, and the week of dates we’ve shared, this is so much more. My pace quickens as I suck her nipple into my mouth. Her pelvis comes up to meet me, thrust for thrust. The sensation of her warm, wet body wrapped tightly around my cock is more than I can stand. There’s no going slow. No savoring the moment. My body drives in to her, harder and faster. “Ti amo. Ti amo.”
“I love you. I’m so in love with you.” Sydney digs her nails into my backside, pushing me closer and closer to the abyss.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” The bed pounds against the wall. My pace is relentless.
“Oh, god.”
“That’s it. Come for me.”
Her body convulses around me, and I can’t hold back a moment longer. I thrust inside her once more before shuddering with my release. A euphoria descends upon me like I’ve never experienced. No amount of alcohol in the world has ever made me feel like this.
This woman is everything. I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to her.
Sydney
My eyes blink open as the summer sun pours in through the window. Turning in Matteo’s arms, I snuggle into his neck.
“Morning, principessa.”
“Good morning.” The warmth of his strong body against mine evokes a happiness I didn’t think was possible. I tilt my head up to take in his beautiful green eyes. “I love this.”
“Waking up together? Me too. We should’ve done it a week ago,” he adds in a slightly menacing tone.
I jolt at the sting his hand makes against my backside. “Ouch. No, you idiot. Being able to look at you.”
“What do you mean?”
“You always had the curtains drawn so tight. I could never enjoy the first rays of sunlight in the morning. It was too dark to see your handsome face.”
His eyes drop down to my breasts. My nipples are in tight peaks, teasing his muscular pecs. “You’re right. I’ve been missing out.” All of a sudden, Matteo hops out of bed. “I’m jumping in the shower. Get up. The day is getting away from us.”
What? Is this part of his new morning routine? I was kinda hoping for morning sex. Yet before I can tempt him, he’s already in the bathroom, the shower running. Grrr.
Once he’s done, he emerges with a towel draped low around his hips. All of his delicious ink on full display. I’m sure the sight of me drooling will have him turned on in no time.
“Get in the shower, woman.”
“What’s your hurry?”
“I told you. The day is getting away from us.”
I turn on the water. “I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I’m on island time now.” Geez. What happened to all the weekends we slept in, curled up in one another? I’ve created a monster with this getting to know you crap .
Matteo pokes his head around the door. “If our day goes as planned, I’m thinking we might come back here for a nap later.”
Huh?
“And by nap, I mean I plan to fuck you senseless. It’s about time I reminded you what a real ass kissing is supposed to look like.” He disappears into the other room.
Well, now we’re talking.
Suddenly, I’m wide awake. I lather up, shampoo my hair, and rinse off. I may skip drying my hair if he’s in a hurry to go outside. It’s so warm, my hair will dry in no time out there. Even if it will be a frizzy mess.
Coming out of the bathroom, I find my little white sundress laid out across the bed. “Tey?” I walk toward the kitchen, thinking he’s made a pot of coffee. But the room is empty. Has he gone next door to change?
I decide to use the extra time while he’s away to blow dry my hair into soft, beachy waves. I apply a little moisturizer with sunscreen and brush my teeth. Moving to the bedroom, I look down at the sundress and giggle. He’s never picked out my clothes before.
The dress has barely dropped into place when I hear a knock at the door. Checking the peephole, I grin when I see my handsome man. I fling it wide to find him wearing khaki-colored cargo shorts and a blue floral Hawaiian shirt. My mouth drops open at his attire.
“What is this? Are you taking me on another hot date?”
“I hope so.” He winks.
Holding his elbow out for me, I drape my arm through his. Wow. He’s been pulling out the stops lately. And here I was worried once we slept together, the ass kissing package would expire.
He escorts me around the property. We can’t be having breakfast here. They’re closed for renovations. Yet before I can ask where we’re headed, he places his hand on my lower back, and we move toward a beautiful patch of green grass overlooking the ocean.
I spin to face him, but he’s down on one knee. “Tey?”
“Principessa, I know all of this is backward. Whether I was in our home or not, we’ve been married for years. Then we come here, and it feels like the honeymoon you should’ve had all along. I love you. I’m so sorry for how our marriage started.” There’s a sincerity in his eyes I’ve never witnessed from him. “Will you marry me again? I promise to get it right this time.”
Tears tumble down my cheeks.
Matteo holds up my rings. How had he found them? I’d never stopped wearing the gold bands until the night of my date with Sam. I’d taken them off and placed them in my jewelry box, unsure if I’d ever put them on again.
“How did—”
“Genni gave them to Giovanni. He sent them here with our passports.”
My hands fly to my mouth, completely shocked.
“I need your hand, Mia moglie.”
I hold out my trembling hand, confused when I notice he only places my engagement ring on my finger. Not the wedding band.
“I take it this is your bride to be?”
Startled, I spin to find an older gentleman dressed in a suit and tie.
“Yes,” Matteo answers proudly. “This is my Sydney.”
My face scrunches up, surprised he’s using my old name. Wait. “Matteo. What would you have done if I’d said no when you asked just now?”
Leaning in, he whispers with a delicious smirk on his face, “Continued the ass kissing package until you caved.”
“As I said, this won’t be a legal marriage ceremony. Since you don’t have a Florida license.”
“It’s okay. It’s more ceremonial. We were married several years ago in Virginia. We’re renewing our vows. To make our marriage stronger.” Matteo smiles adoringly at me.
I beam at my husband, my heart all aflutter. How did I not know he was so romantic?
“But I have a copy of the license if you need to see it.” He laughs. “Sort of.” That’s odd. Does he keep an old copy of it in his wallet? Out of the blue, Matteo pulls up his shirt, raising his left arm over his head.
The minister and I step forward, both gazing down at his skin. If he hadn’t directed us to it, I wouldn’t realize what I was looking at. His chest and abs are covered in decorative art. But it’s as clear as day. A replica of our marriage license.
“Matteo,” I gasp.
“Well, I’ve got to say, son. That’s the first time I’ve seen that.” He chuckles. “Now, that’s a man who’s in it for the long haul.”
There go those tears again. “When did you get that?”
His eyes hold mine, and I know. He got it the day he left.
Matteo takes my hand, and the minister begins the short ceremony. We exchange rings, and I can’t keep my happy tears at bay. As he pronounces us husband and wife, again, we seal our union with a tender kiss. I’m so full of joy, I can barely contain it. Whatever the future brings, so long as Matteo is by my side, I’m ready.
Who knew I had to die to get the life I wanted?