Chapter 39
Tiziano Constanzo
A few days later…
I stood by the window, watching Bianca beside Rosa as they picked fruit in the garden. They spent hours out there, talking and laughing among the trees, and even with so many fruit trees scattered across the property, we had never seen so much fruit piled up in the kitchen as we did now.
“Watching your beloved wife?” Carlo asked with an amused smile as he entered the room.
I turned slowly, returning his smile before answering.
“I never get tired of looking at her. It’s the only pleasure that truly brings me joy.”
“Who would have thought? Don Tiziano in love.” Carlo laughed, slipping his hands into his pockets as he watched me with an expression of pure mockery.
I looked back toward the window, where Bianca smiled as she picked fruit.
“She surprises me every day,” I admitted, my tone softer than the one I usually used. “It’s as if every little thing she does, no matter how simple, has the power to disarm me.”
Carlo raised an eyebrow, visibly impressed.
“I never thought I’d hear you say that. You’ve always been so hard, so focused.”
“And I still am.” I looked at him firmly. “But Bianca... she reminds me there’s something beyond wars and business. That I can have something that belongs only to me, something pure.”
Carlo remained silent for a moment before smiling.
“Then I guess she’s exactly what you needed.”
“She is.” My gaze returned to her, now laughing at something Rosa had said. “I don’t know what I did to deserve her, but I’ll do everything in my power to protect her.”
Carlo nodded, giving my shoulder a pat.
“Then keep doing what you do best, Don. Protect what’s yours.”
My attention quickly returned to Bianca. She looked at me through the window and gave me a small wave, shy but sweet.
I answered with a smile I allowed to slip free, something rare and reserved only for her. Bianca had become more than my wife. She was the center of my world, just as my mother had been for my father.
Luigi entered the room, adjusting his suit jacket with his usual composure. He glanced toward the window, where my gaze remained fixed on Bianca, then turned his attention back to me.
“Your peace needs to give you heirs, Tiziano.” His voice cut through the air, practical and direct as always.
I didn’t look away from Bianca, who was now placing fruit into the basket, the sunlight illuminating strands of her hair. I took a deep breath before answering.
“That isn’t something I can rush, Luigi.”
“But it’s a necessity. Not only for the continuation of the Constanzo name, but also to solidify your position. With the tension the Bellinis are creating, an heir would strengthen your image. It would prove you’re in control.”
I closed my eyes for a moment, exhausted by the weight of the responsibility I had always carried.
“Do you think I don’t know that?” I replied, finally turning to face him. “But I also know a child isn’t just a symbol of power. He’ll be a part of me, of Bianca. We’re constantly trying. When he comes, it’ll be at the right time.”
Luigi arched an eyebrow, surprised by the change in my attitude.
“You really have changed. That girl is getting to you.”
“So what?” I replied, a faint smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. “What do you want? For me to have bastard children scattered everywhere, with no respect, no unity? When I have children, they’ll be raised in a solid home. There will be no room for doubt or disloyalty.”
Luigi sighed but didn’t argue. I was married, and I would have children with my wife.
“Then, Carlo, arrange for more tests. Maybe there’s another method or approach we can try.”
“Not everything depends on tests, Luigi,” Carlo replied, respectful but direct. “These things happen when the time is right. Bianca is young and healthy. Putting pressure on them may make things harder instead of helping.”
He nodded, taking a few steps back as Bianca crossed the room, her eyes finding mine.
“Tiziano?” she called, shyly, but with that gleam in her eyes that always disarmed me.
“Yes, amore mio?” I asked softly.
“Do you want some fruit? We picked a lot. Rosa is washing them now.”
“I only want you.” The answer slipped out before I could think, but Bianca blushed slightly, smiling in a way that warmed my chest.
Luigi took a step back, clearly realizing the conversation was over.
“I’ll leave you two alone,” he said before walking out of the room with Carlo.
As soon as the door closed, Bianca walked toward me, her light dress swaying with every step. My eyes followed her, taking in every detail as she approached. I couldn’t stop the faint smile that curved my lips. When she was close enough, I gently pulled her by the waist, bringing her closer.
“You heard everything, didn’t you?” I asked.
“I did,” she replied, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
I ran my hand along the side of her face, tracing the line of her jaw with my thumb. She tilted her face into my touch.
“I don’t want you to feel pressured, Bianca. We’re working on it every day,” I said with a teasing tone.
She bit her lower lip, and the sight awakened something primal inside me. My hand slid from her waist to her back while the other caressed her hair, pulling her a little closer.
“Tiziano...” she whispered.
“Shhh...” I murmured, brushing my lips against hers, the kiss soft at first but quickly deepening. My tongue invaded her mouth with intensity, exploring every corner as she moaned softly against me.
My hands began to explore, tracing every curve of her body over the thin fabric of her dress. My thumb found the zipper at her back and slowly pulled it down, exposing her warm, soft skin.
“We’re in the living room,” she whispered against my mouth as I slid the dress from her shoulders, letting it fall at her feet.
She gasped when my hands slid down to her bare waist, pulling her closer as my mouth traced a heated path along her neck, slowly descending toward her breasts. The way her body responded to every touch made my control unravel more with each passing second.
“Let’s continue this somewhere no one can interrupt us,” I suggested with a mischievous smile before scooping her into my arms and carrying her toward the bedroom.