Chapter Thirty-Nine
LOLA
Shock hits me. "These are what?"
"What do you fucking think they are?" Enzo asks me in his office at Barwon.
It has been a week since I returned home from being kidnapped.
Pushing my phone across the desk at him, I narrow my eyes. "Sir, I'm not stupid. I know what the tickets are. I'm asking you why you sent them to me."
His eyes spark as he leans back in his chair, and a slow smile spreads. "Feisty and bratty little secretary is a new twist, and I'm here for it..."
I rest my hands on the desk's edge and lean down, allowing him an eyeful of the red lace bra cupping my breasts in my low-cut button-down. "You know we're busy. The workplace is in transition..."
"I'm aware." His smile gets bigger.
"And I'm pregnant."
Now he rises, leaning forward, too, deliberately dipping his gaze down to let me know he's getting a better view.
This week back at work, he's alternating between my Enzo and Asshole Boss Enzo. And I'm never really sure until I come face-to-face with him in the office.
It makes me so wet.
His gaze shifts to my mouth. "The question is, is it mine? Or your boyfriend's? The one I told you to get rid of?"
"You'll have to wait until after work. This CEO-in-training has a lot of work to do." It's with utter reluctance that I end the tease of our game, because it's true. I've got a lot of work.
He wants me to run this place my way, and it's both making my heart pound and my legs shake.
He refuses to end it. He leans over a little further and kisses me. "I'm the real CEO. And the tickets are non-negotiable."
"Why Calmus Island? I don't even know what Calmus Island is..." Then I turn my phone and look at it. "Your email says that's where we're going, Enzo, but the ticket says—"
"We fly to St. Maarten and then take a charter to Calmus."
"Not Puerto Rico?"
"Look, I have a plan."
"A plan?"
"Yep." He kisses me again before sitting. "Pack sexy. And you, me, and Squish are going to have the best time. Now let me get back to looking at real estate. I think I want to move Barwon to something I own. For you, me, and my other work. Oh, and Lola?"
He doesn't look at me as I answer him. "Yes?"
"Pack sexy, but don't pack swimwear. I've got some pieces in mind..."
The long weekend is now almost over.
I step onto the warm, fine sand of our private luxury beachfront property, complete with a beach that's all ours.
We leave tomorrow, but it's like I've hit paradise, and nothing can ever beat this.
But it can, because the strong arms that come around me and the mouth that nuzzles my throat belong to Enzo. And if I didn't love him before, I'm madly in love with him now.
Not because he flew me here on a private jet or took me to an exclusive island with pristine sand and water that also homes some of the very rich and famous, including this one that belongs to his Uncle Gino.
But because now I see him in full light, understand what he was doing in protecting me, how he got lost in the game of Alex, and how, when he fell for me too, he didn't know what to do.
We both made mistakes.
We both got lost because feelings make you vulnerable, even if the person you are tangled with, and suddenly don't understand, is the same person you've loved your whole life.
Because I have loved him. Different sorts of love, from family and little girl trust to my first crush and heartbreak, to the love that lurks behind hate, to that shake-down-to-the-core panic of love stripping your own psyche naked as you discover yourself along with the person, to this.
True love.
Or maybe it's always been true love, and this is the final landing place where we really begin a future.
As a family.
Him, me, and Squish.
There is his found family who welcome me.
And my newfound sister and friend that is his true family.
Even Mario.
I think I love it all.
And I love Enzo most of all.
"What are you thinking?" he asks.
"That this is perfection."
He laughs. "The island isn't perfection, Lola. You are."
My heart stutters at that.
And I don't think I've ever had a better time.
"So are you, but that's not what I meant. The island is perfection because we are here. And we have our games. And they just enhance things."
"I don't think Gino will let me keep this. It is perfect, though. And..." He squeezes me tight and turns me. "I've never seen anything so beautiful."
Before I can respond, he tilts my head up, and his lips take mine in a long, slow, meandering kiss.
It's the kind of kiss that whispers of forever and lifetimes. And love.
I kiss him back, our tongues sliding over each other.
My heartbeat quickens.
When he ends that kiss, I'm turned on, soft, all his.
But he doesn't lead me inside to the open bedroom that has two massive glass sliding doors that open completely up, letting the breeze in.
We usually have it open at night, and I want to fuck him once or twice more there, with the ocean breeze and the mosquito netting down.
I also want to open up the roof cover so starlight comes in and fuck him. I want to fuck him again in the pool. Swim naked in the ocean.
I want to greedily cram everything in.
What he does is walk me back to the house and give me a gentle push to the bedroom as he starts across the living room floor to the kitchen. "Get changed. The dress is on the bed. Heels, too."
My heart sinks. "We're going out?"
The other side of the small island is for people my age and younger. It's a party vibe, and there are also a ton of exclusive shops and places to eat. The two resorts here boast highly regarded restaurants.
This side is more sedate, as this is where all the beach properties are. It doesn't take long to get from one side to the other.
He pops a cork from a bottle. "Of course. We leave tomorrow. Now, go get dressed."
The resorts and the other side of the island might be jumping, so to speak, but they're jumping with rich kids.
I guess I don't want to leave my side of the island.
I don't want to leave here.
I jump in the shower and then get ready. Funny, I once wanted to have all the freedom from Enzo I could get, now I long for the freedom to shut myself away with him. Hold out my wrists and ask him to shackle me.
Pathetic.
I put on my makeup and twist up my hair, securing it with a silver comb that's on the vanity.
Since it wasn't there before, and it's there now, it must be a gift from Enzo.
Though, when did he find the time?
I unzip the bag with the dress that is on the bed and gasp as I pull it out.
It is gorgeous. White and silver shimmery material I know will drape and cling and show off the tiniest bump that's Squish.
When I put it on, it looks even better than I imagined.
There is, of course, no underwear.
He's such an ass, thinking I love going commando. Though, for him, I do.
Then I slide into the silver pumps, pick up the bag, and head into the living room.
He stands there, a model for a fashion magazine, one hand in his pocket, and he's wearing an immaculate black plum-colored suit.
"Fucking stunning," he says.
"You're not so bad yourself."
He comes over and picks up a glass of bubbly. "Faux champagne?"
"Apple juice?" I ask, delighted, sniffing it.
"Only the finest." Then he kisses me.
I take a sip.
He smiles. "I thought about getting you nonalcoholic champagne but remembered how much you liked this brand of apple juice."
We drink the juice, and then he hustles me out of the house.
The area we're in has a small town that caters to the big homes.
I want to walk, but there's a car waiting.
He ushers me in.
"I'm not up to dancing." I'm a little nervous as we're in the car.
It would be easy to go to the other side of the island to make a big night of it.
"Good, I'm not feeling that. Unless it's slow and close and with you."
I blush as his romantic words ripple through my blood.
We pull up at a beachfront restaurant, and it's one I've heard of. This renowned chef has restaurants around the world, some in remote or unexpected places, and each is meant to be an experience, like this one. Each also reflects the local surroundings and foods.
The restaurant is low-lit, and I stare.
I can't see anyone in it.
"Enzo, this place has Michelin stars."
"All of Henri's places do."
I glare at him. "And they're always booked out. Some of them months or years in advance."
He kisses my throat and then pushes open the car door, getting out and holding his hand out for me. "I'm aware. Come on."
"If you've booked us a table five years ago, I'm calling you a stalker."
"You're calling one? Weird." He leads me up the steps.
"No. I'm calling you one."
A ma?tre d' steps out, smiling.
"Welcome, Mr. Marino. Ms. Mancini. Your table awaits. And to put you at ease, all dietary concerns are in place and taken care of. This way."
We walk in.
I gasp.
The dining area is small, and there's only one table set up.
As we're seated, I wait until we're alone. "Enzo Marino. What did you do?"
He gives me a full-on grin. "I booked the place just for us."
"No, you can't do that."
"I can."
"Enzo..." I put my palms on the table and wait until the glasses are full of both water and kombucha for me, whiskey for him.
And some delicious-looking morsels are put down in front of us.
I don't listen to the explanation and wait until the waiter is gone.
"Enzo," I say again. "You can't do this. I know this place is booked out months ahead at the least."
He sips his whiskey. "Yeah, well, don't underestimate me and the Syndicate. And you'd be shocked to know just how much clout my last name and my Uncle Gino's name carry."
I just stare at him.
"We helped Henri last year, and so now he's helping me. Mind you, he's charging me a fucking fortune for this. To let me have my moment."
"You can have it."
Everything on the menu is delicious, and the degustation style of tastings is to die for.
I love how I don't have to say no to booze since I'm not offered any, and I don't need to reject something because it's got the wrong cheese in it or is undercooked for me at this stage of my pregnancy.
Henri has taken care of everything and makes the crafted menu more special by modifying it to my needs.
When the dessert comes, we eat the delicate ginger and apple custard tarts that are made to look like seashells until you slide your fork into them.
Enzo finally leans back and studies me.
I smile. "What? Do I have food on my face?"
"No. You're fucking gorgeous, Lola. I just..
." He shifts in his seat. "I wanted to do something special for you.
We've been through a lot in the short time we've been together.
And we've got Squish, who's going to make a break for it one of these days.
And then we'll be three. So, I wanted to make some memories. You and me memories."
My heart leaps. "Enzo, that's...sweet..."
He winces, but he's smiling. "Sexy, please."
"I'm touched, really." I look around. "And this is the perfect end to a perfect weekend. In fact, I wish we could stay longer."
"You're the one wanting to be CEO and crack your whip."
"I want the company to thrive."
"Well, since I'm still boss, I say we can stay a few extra nights. To celebrate."
I laugh. "Celebrate what?"
He doesn't laugh with me. "I love you, Lola.
And I probably always have, ever since you were a kid.
I protected you then because it meant so much.
..you meant so much. And when Dad forbade me to have anything to do with you, I helped in hidden ways.
And if any of that hurt you, I'm sorry. But just know it always came from a place of love.
And now? I'm so fucking in love with you I can't see straight. So, will you celebrate?"
Enzo stands, pushing back his chair, and then he sinks to the floor on one knee.
My heart pounds as blood rushes hot in my veins.
Then he pulls a small black box from his pocket.
Like a jewelry box.
My mouth goes dry.
Is that...?
"Enzo, is that what I think it is?"
He grins. "You don't seem the type for tiny ponies, so yeah. I'm thinking it is."
He opens the box, revealing a gorgeous oval diamond set on a white gold band.
"Oh my God. Yes."
"I haven't finished."
"Yes, yes."
"Will you—"
"Yes!"
"—make me a happy man—"
"Yes, Enzo!"
"—and marry me?"
"A million times yes." I throw myself into his arms.
But he's not ready for me, and I knock him over.
We tumble to the ground.
Thing is, I somehow got caught in the tablecloth, and everything crashes down around us.
Enzo rolls us so he's on top, and we kiss.
He rolls us again, the hand with the ring on my ass as we laugh and make out like maniacs.
"So...just to be certain. You did say yes, right?"
I kiss him again. "I'll think it over."
He's about to say something when someone runs in.
A French-accented voice booms. "Fuck. Food play wasn't part of the deal, Marino."
I giggle. "Oops. Guess the bill just quadrupled."
Enzo shrugs. “Whatever it costs, I’ll pay, Henri. This is worth every cent.”