Читать книгу Ultimate Romance Collection - Rebecca Winters, Amalie Berlin - Страница 88
ОглавлениеJOY ROCKED VINCENZO’S WORLD, but he groaned aloud. “Gemma—what a time to tell me! I’m driving and can’t pull over right now. The summer traffic will be bumper to bumper like this all the way to Lake Como.”
“That’s where we’re going?”
“If we can ever get there. Everyone’s trying to leave Milan at the same time.”
An infectious giggle came out of her, a happy sound he hadn’t heard in years. “We’ve practiced self-control for the last few weeks. Another hour won’t kill us.”
“You mean two. It’s killing me, you beautiful witch.” He reached for her hand and clung to it.
“I want to marry you, Vincenzo. I’m crazy, madly, terrifyingly in love with you. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get my head on straight. Please—while you can’t touch me and I can’t make love to you—tell me where we’re going to live. I want to know everything. Will we fly back and forth from here to New York every few months? The suspense is killing me.”
“One answer at a time. We’re going to live here permanently.”
“You really mean it?” That was pure happiness he heard in her voice. “Where is here, exactly?”
“That’s what I want to show you.”
“You mean at Lake Como?”
“The first night in Greece, when we were on the beach, you said that to live surrounded by water would be paradise. I’ve always wanted to live by water, too. There’s a place I’ve had my eye on for the last six months, never dreaming I’d find you again. And it’s not too far from the castello.”
“I’ve never been to Lake Como. Have you already bought it?”
“No. The Realtor has been holding it for me, but my time is almost up.”
“What town is it in?”
“Cernobbio, in the foothills of the Alps, where the scenery truly is magnificent.”
“Is it as fantastic as I’m imagining it is?”
“You’ll have to wait and see. I’m sure your mother will love it. She’ll be living with us, wherever we are. When the traffic is light, it’s only a little over an hour’s drive from Milan. There’s a private dock on the lake, so we’ll have to buy a boat.”
“She doesn’t know about us yet.”
“I didn’t think she did. When will she be back from her trip?”
“Tomorrow.”
“That’s perfect. We’ll drive to Florence tomorrow and tell her we’re getting married. She loves you enough to want what you want. I’ll spend the rest of my life proving to her our marriage will work. But the ceremony has to happen before the grand opening, so we only have a few days left to plan it.”
“I’m so happy, I feel like I’m going burst!”
“Don’t do that while we’re still in this traffic.”
She grabbed onto his arm. “When we’re married, if the traffic is too horrible to drive home, we can always go upstairs to the tower room, and we’ll hibernate while I feed you sfogliatelli. No one will know where we are.”
Vincenzo didn’t know how much longer he could last without pulling Gemma onto his lap. “The one thing we won’t have at Lake Como is a beach. Almost no property has beachfront.”
“There’s only one beach I want. It’s in Greece. You’ve spoiled me. I know I’m dreaming. Do you care if I keep working?”
“I want you to be happy, whatever it takes.”
“Will you be happy living away from New York?”
“I have a confession to make. I was never happy there.”
“Honestly?”
“I’m an Italian. I was homesick.”
Gemma let out a cry. “Filippa said the same thing. That’s why she’s back.”
“Good for her. Where would you like to get married, bellissima?”
“I think that should be up to you.”
“Then I say we ask the priest to marry us in the castello chapel.”
“That would make me the happiest woman on earth.” Tears ran down her tanned cheeks. “It is so beautiful. I remember looking inside when your grandfather was in there. I thought it was the closest place to heaven.”
“Have you considered what he was trying to tell you that day out in the courtyard might have had a different meaning? My belief is that he knew you were my soul’s delight and saw you as the princess I would marry one day.”
“Do you really think that?”
“Yes. I’m going to tell your mother that. She’ll have to be happy for us.”
Gemma’s eyes filled with tears. “I’ll treasure what you’ve said all my life.”
“You’re my treasure, Gemma.”
“Oh, I can’t wait until we get there.”
Another few minutes and they passed through Como. Cernobbio was only a little farther up the lake. When they reached it, Gemma gasped. “I didn’t know scenery like this existed on earth. There are dozens of incredible villas!”
He wound around until they came to one that jutted out into the lake. At the sign—Villa Gagliardi—he slowed to a stop on the private road.
Gemma took it in with disbelieving eyes before she turned to Vincenzo. “This villa belonged to your family?”
He nodded. “Until my father gambled it away. I’ve negotiated to buy it back. It’s ours if you want it.”
“If I want it?” She launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his bronzed neck. “I want you forever, any way I can have you. I’ll take anything that comes with you.”
For the next little while, they tried without success to show each other how much they loved and wanted each other. It was impossible within the confines of his Maserati.
“How can you do this to me?” he whispered against her lips. “For nine days you held me off. Now you’re giving yourself to me and I can’t do a thing about it until we find a place to be alone.”
“I know. I’m sorry, but I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
“Let’s get married the day after tomorrow. No man ever needed a wedding night more than I do.”
She buried her face in his neck. “How can we do that? Wouldn’t you have to get a special license?”
“Yes. But I’m the Duca di Lombardi. I’m the person who makes these things happen.” His smile melted her bones.
“I presume Father Janos will perform the ceremony whenever you say.”
He nodded.
“Won’t he think it’s too soon after the funeral?”
“Not at all. He’ll be happy we’re making a dream come true in the midst of so much sadness.”
She kissed every feature of his face. “Is there anything you can’t do?”
“No.”
“Vincenzo—” She hugged him harder. “Be serious. You want to get married the day after tomorrow?”
“Don’t you? With your mother coming back tomorrow, there’s no reason to delay it a second longer.”
“I love you, il mio amore.”
“Then we need to drive back to Milan immediately and make all the arrangements. Besides your mother, I want Dimi and my partners there.”
“I’ll tell Filippa she can’t leave for Florence until after the ceremony. She can stay at the pensione until then.”
“Kiss me one more time, Gemma, so I know I’m not hallucinating.”
“I plan to kiss the daylights out of you after we say ‘I do.’ But since I shouldn’t be bothering you while you’re driving, I’m going to call Mamma right now and tell her everything. She can think about it on her flight back to Florence.”
He squeezed her arm. “I’ll talk to her, too, and tell her we’ve just come from the home where we want her to live with us.”
Gemma was euphoric as she pulled out her phone to reach her mother. No matter her parent’s first reaction, Gemma would talk her down, because there was no one like Vincenzo. She planned to be his wife, and her mother had to understand that.
The phone rang a few times until Mirella picked up. “Oh, Gemma—I’m so glad it’s you. I’m tired of traveling around and am anxious to come home.”
“I can’t wait for you to get here, but please don’t be too tired, Mamma.”
“Ah? What’s wrong?”
“Everything is so right, I don’t know where to start.”
“You must have gotten a wonderful job.”
“Oh, I did!”
After a pause, her mother said, “I haven’t heard you this happy since...”
“Since we once lived at the castello?” she answered for her.
“Gemma? What’s going on?”
“Vincenzo is back in my life! That’s what’s going on.” She smiled into his eyes of molten silver. “You’re not going to believe why he really disappeared or why he’s back now. We’re going to be married the day after tomorrow.”
“But he’s a duca!”
She smiled at Vincenzo through her happy tears. “Yes, and I’m going to be his duchessa. That’s why you can’t be too tired. Tomorrow we have to buy me a wedding dress and a beautiful dress for you. Filippa will need one, too. The ceremony is going to take place in the castello chapel by Father Janos. You remember him?”
“Lentamente, mia bambina—”
“I’m too excited to slow down. Tomorrow I’ll tell you all the details while we’re looking for dresses.”
Vincenzo took the phone from her. “Mirella? We want your blessing. No one knows better than you how much I love your daughter. The day you made that little lemon ricotta cheesecake for me when I was eight was the day I fell in love with you, too. Here’s Gemma back.”
Tears were rolling down her cheeks as she took the phone from him. “Mamma? Did you hear what Vincenzo said?”
“I did,” she answered in a croaky voice. “Tell him that if I hadn’t loved him, too, I wouldn’t have made it for him.”
Gemma could hardly breathe. “I’ll tell him. I love you, Mamma. See you tomorrow. Fly home safe.”
The minute she heard the click, she told him what her mother had said. His eyes filled with tears before she broke down sobbing for joy.
* * *
When Dimi arrived at the pensione in the ducal limousine at three o’clock, Gemma walked outside with Filippa, leaving the place in a complete mess. She wore the white wedding dress her mother and her friend had helped her pick out in one of the shops in Milan earlier that morning.
The skirt was a filmy chiffon that fell from the waist and floated around her legs. Lace made up the bodice and short sleeves. Instead of a veil or a bouquet, she wore a garland of white roses and a single strand of pearls with matching earrings that had been delivered that morning by courier. Vincenzo’s prewedding gift.
Filippa had helped her put them on and handed her the enclosed card.
Ti amo, squisita.
You are my treasure.
The little makeup she wore was ruined by her tears, and she had to rush to repair the damage.
Gemma had wanted a simple wedding outfit that would still look bridal. If they’d been getting married in front of several hundred people, she would have chosen a long dress with a train and veil. But she was happy with their perfect little wedding.
Dimi took pictures with his camera first. Gemma insisted on taking some of him. Within minutes he helped her into the back of the limousine, where her mother was waiting in an ivory lace suit and pearls. Then he assisted Filippa.
He looked marvelous in a dark blue suit with a white rose in the lapel. Her friend wore a pale pink silk sheath with a corsage of pink roses and looked stunning.
As the limousine drove away, Gemma looked across at Dimi. She squeezed her mother’s hand. “I’ve been thinking back through the years when we were just little children.”
“Now you’re all grown up.” Mirella smiled at them.
“I can’t believe this is really happening, Mamma.”
Dimi grinned. “Neither can my cousin. He’s been waiting for this day for so long, I hope he’s still holding it together. I told his friends to do whatever was necessary to help him make it through to the four o’clock ceremony. It’s your fault he’s in this state, Gemma.”
“I’ve been in a state since I applied for a job at the castello, battling my old demons.”
“Vincenzo and I know all about those. But yours are gone, right?”
Filippa spoke for her. “I can promise you that my dear Gemma is the most divinely happy woman on the planet. I ought to know. For the last nine years I’ve listened to her pain over losing Vincenzo.”
“Oh—” Mirella threw her hands in the air. “I prayed every night the pain would stop.”
Gemma’s friend chuckled. “The minute I heard he was alive and back at the castello, I actually sent up a special prayer of thanksgiving.”
Dimi nodded. “I did the same thing when he told me you’d applied for the pastry chef position. It was your recipes, Mirella, that put Gemma over the top with Vincenzo’s partners. Do you know that from the moment he arrived in New York, I’ve heard nothing but grief from him where Gemma was concerned? Today I’m the happiest man on the planet to know that this torturefest is about to be over.”
The four of them laughed.
“I love Vincenzo so much. When he walked in the office, I almost fainted.”
Dimi leaned forward and patted her hand. “When you two met, we couldn’t have been more than four or five. Even then it was as if no one else existed. He followed you around like a puppy dog. You teased him and provoked him, but he just kept coming.”
“He teased me back constantly. His growls were terrifying when he chased me around the old ruins. I laughed until I fell down and couldn’t catch my breath. Every day when I woke up, I knew I was going to see him and there’d be a new adventure. Nothing else mattered.
“But I want you to know something, Dimi. I loved you, too. So did Bianca. I don’t think there were four happier children anywhere.”
“I agree. What I want to know is, are you ready to be chased around the castello’s secret corridors and chambers for the rest of your life?”
“Yes. I can’t wait!”
“Gemma!” Mirella cried, but she knew her mother was only pretending to be shocked.
“I’m warning you. He hasn’t outgrown certain tendencies.” His wicked smile reminded her of the old Dimi.
“Neither have I, but don’t you dare tell him.”
When she looked out the tinted windows, she realized the limousine had pulled up in front of the castello steps. She gripped her mother’s hand. “This is it.”
Dimi got out and held the door open for the three of them. “Be sure you want to go inside, Gemma,” he teased. “Because when you do, you’ll never be the same again.”
“I know.” She gave him a hug. “I’ll be Signora Gagliardi. Don’t have a heart attack, Mamma.”
Her mother only laughed, the most wonderful sound Gemma had ever heard from her parent. eh.
“Well, here goes!” She took off alone and rushed up the steps, breathless to find Vincenzo, who was inside waiting for her. Never had there been a bride as eager as she to seal her fate.
Cesare stood at the entrance in a becoming tan suit. He too wore a white rose in his lapel. “Your husband-to-be has asked me to do the honors and escort you to the chapel.” He kissed her on both cheeks.
“Thank you so much.”
He gave her his arm and they walked through several long corridors to reach that part of the castello. “I had no idea when I interviewed you that you were the person who ruined every woman for Vincenzo all those years ago.”
“That’s not quite true. I know of one special woman, very recently in fact.”
He shook his head. “No, no. If she’d been the one, he would have brought her with him. Did you know he wanted you to stay in the tower room of the former principessa?”
Warmth traveled up her neck to her cheeks. That had been her favorite room in the whole castello. “He was only joking.”
Cesare laughed. “Denial becomes you.”
They reached the closed chapel doors, where Takis stood, dressed in a beige suit, also wearing a white rose. He hugged her before Dimi introduced Filippa and Gemma’s mother to the other men.
Cesare gave her a special smile. “So you’re the mamma responsible for raising our new executive pastry chef. She gave all the credit to you on her résumé. I understand why. The pastry she made for us was beyond compare. I’m honored to meet you.” So saying, he gave her a kiss on both cheeks. Gemma loved him for showing her mother such deference.
Dimi turned to Filippa. “This is where I leave you to join Vincenzo, but Takis will take good care of you.” Dimi’s gaze swerved to Gemma’s. “You’re sure you want to go through with this?”
“Dimi—” she cried softly in exasperation.
“Just checking.”
He took more pictures of all of them, then folded her mother’s arm over his and they moved inside the chapel.
Gemma looked at Takis. “Have you seen Vincenzo? Is he in there?”
“Si.”
“And Father Janos?”
“Si.” With a poker face, he added, “In case you can’t tell them apart, Vincenzo is the tall guy wearing the gray suit and white rose. The short, portly father is wearing...well...let’s just say he’s dressed in splendid robes for this once-in-a-lifetime celebration of your marriage.”
Her eyes smarted. “Thank you for being his dear friends. Your friendship saved him at the darkest moment of his life.”
Takis cocked his head. “Someday we’ll tell you just how dark our lives were when we arrived in the States. Meeting Vincenzo was the best thing that ever happened to us. Isn’t that right, Cesare?”
The Sicilian nodded and lent her his arm. “It’s four o’clock. Time to begin.”
Takis opened the doors and walked Filippa down the aisle. Gemma followed with Cesare. For such a small chapel, the interior was breathtaking, with wall and ceiling frescoes still vibrant with color.
This was where she’d seen Vincenzo’s grandfather worship. Now Emanuele’s two grandsons stood on either side of Father Janos, waiting for Gemma. She feared her heartbeat could be heard throughout the incense-sweet interior. With each step that took her closer to Vincenzo, it seemed to grow louder.
Except for the absence of the father she’d never known, Gemma couldn’t imagine a more perfect setting for their intimate wedding. The most important people in the world were here in attendance.
Cesare walked her to the front, where Vincenzo reached for her hands. Beneath his black wavy hair, the bronzed features of his striking face stood out against the frescoes. The candles beneath the shrine cast flickering shadows, revealing to Gemma the impossibility of his male beauty.
They both whispered, “Ti amo...” at the same time.
Father Janos bestowed a thoughtful smile on them. “I understand this moment has been in the making for many years.”
She nodded. Vincenzo must have told him everything.
“That is a good long time for you to have loved each other and should give you the faith that your union will be blessed by the Almighty. Vincenzo? Take her right hand in your left and repeat after me. ‘I, Vincenzo Nistri Gagliardi, Duca di Lombardi, take Gemma Bonucci Rizzo for my beloved wife. I will love her, cherish her, protect her for the rest of my life.’”
Gemma heard him repeat the words in that deep, thrilling voice of his.
“Now, Gemma. Repeat these words.”
She looked into Vincenzo’s eyes. Between the dark lashes they gleamed pure silver. “I, Gemma Bonucci Rizzo, take Vincenzo Nistri Gagliardi, Duca de Lombardi, for my beloved husband, who has always been beloved to me.” The last part of the sentence was her own addition. It brought a smile to Vincenzo’s lips.
“I will love him, cherish him, support him and honor him for the rest of my life.” The honor part was another deviation from the script, but she wanted him to know how complete was her commitment to him.
“Because you have taken these vows, I pronounce you man and wife. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Vincenzo? Do you have a ring?”
“I do.”
“You may present it to your wife.
She was his wife!
His fingers were sure as he pushed home a diamond in a gold band on her ring finger.
“Do you have a ring, Gemma?”
“She does,” Dimi said and came forward. He handed her the gold band she’d picked out for Vincenzo during their shopping spree with her mother.
“You may present it to your husband.”
Vincenzo helped her put it on, then pulled her into his arms and kissed her. It went on for a long, long time. Gemma forgot everything and everyone. Somehow she’d been given her heart’s desire, and nothing mattered but to pledge her heart and soul to him in the most intimate way she knew how.
“I love you, Gemma. You just don’t know how much.”
“But I do, amore mio.”
They kissed each other once more. When he finally lifted his mouth from hers, she realized they were the only ones left in the chapel. “Oh, no—even the priest has gone.”
He gave her that white smile to die for. “Father Janos was a man before he wore the robes. That should answer your question.”
“There’s no one like you. It was a perfect wedding.”
Vincenzo wrapped his arms around her. “There’s more. Much as I want to take you upstairs, our friends are waiting in my grandfather’s small dining room to celebrate with us. I’m excited, because Cesare’s contribution has been to make the meal for us. He learned to cook from his mother, just the way you did. It’ll be an all-Sicilian menu tonight.”
She put her arms around his neck. “I love your friends. I adore Dimi, and I love my dear friend Filippa. I’ve decided her timing in coming back to Italy was meant to be, as was Mamma’s. Now I guess we’d better not keep them all waiting.”
He kissed her eyes, nose and mouth. “They understand and will enjoy the vintage Sicilian wine until we get there. One more kiss, sposa mia.”
Twenty minutes later they walked arm in arm to the second floor. When they entered the dining room, Gemma could smell the beef fillet in brandy before she saw the paintings of wood nymphs, all in a serious state of undress. Her face turned scarlet.
Everyone clapped. Vincenzo walked her to the table and sat down next to her, putting his hand on her thigh beneath the table. Heat coursed through her body.
Dimi raised his glass. “To my cousin and his wife. To Mirella. None of you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to say that. I don’t know when I’ve ever been this happy.” His eyes were smiling. So were Filippa’s.
Cosimo waited on them, bringing one delicious dish after another. Caponata...arancini...pasta with urchin sauce.
When the meal concluded, Gemma got to her feet. “This is joy beyond measure to be surrounded by our friends and my beloved mother. What can I say about our bridal feast? The six-star award goes to Cesare for the best meal I’ve ever eaten in my life. Grazie with all my heart.”
Cesare beamed. “Di niente.”
Vincenzo stood up and put his arm around Gemma’s waist. “I can’t improve on anything my bride said. And now I must tell you we have a pressing engagement elsewhere and ask to be excused, but we know you will understand.”
The men’s deep laughter filled the room while Filippa and Gemma exchanged a secret smile. With her friend planning to stay at the pensione for a few more days, everything was working out perfectly. On a whim, Gemma removed her garland of roses and tossed it to Filippa, then tossed her mother a kiss. She would be staying in the tower room of the principessa until after the hotel’s grand opening. Vincenzo couldn’t do enough for her.
“Come with me,” her husband whispered.
She needed no urging. Her desire for him had reached a flashpoint.
Vincenzo rushed her through the hallways to the back of the castello. When they came to the winding steps, he picked her up in his arms and carried her to the tower room. His strength astounded her. When they’d reached the bedroom, he wasn’t even out of breath.
“I’ve dreamed of doing that for years. Help me, Gemma. I want you so much I’m shaking.”
While he was helping her out of her dress, she was trying to take off his suit jacket. Somehow they managed and kissed their way to the bed. He lay down with her and crushed her in his arms, entwining his legs with hers. After suppressing their needs for the last two weeks, the freedom to love each other made her delirious with longing.
Each touch and caress ignited their passion. Vincenzo had lit her on fire. The right to show her husband everything she felt and wanted was a heady experience too marvelous to contain. They drank deeply from each other’s mouths, thrilling in the wonder of being together like this.
Far into the night, they gave and took pleasure with no thought but the happiness and joy they found in each other. Gemma hadn’t known the physical side of their lovemaking could be this overwhelming. Her rapture was so great that at times she cried afterward and clung to him.
When morning came he began the age-old ritual all over again. They’d suffered for so long, they thoroughly enjoyed becoming one flesh, one heart.
Toward noon, they lay side by side, awake again. Vincenzo smiled at her. “I feel like I’ve just been reborn.”
“I know. I’ve had those same feelings.”
He suddenly pulled her on top of him. “I’m too happy, Gemma.”
“Can there be too much happiness?”
“I don’t know. Promise me it will always be like this.”
She searched his eyes. “My love for you just keeps growing.”
Rolling her over, he kissed her fiercely. “I want to make love to you all over again, but I know you must be hungry. Are you?”
“Yes. For you!”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
“Cesare told me yesterday he’d have food brought up to us. I’m pretty sure it’s outside the door now.”
“Then we’d better eat it. I don’t want to hurt his feelings.” Her darling Vincenzo. He was starving, but he didn’t want to admit it. She loved this man beyond description. “Why don’t you go look and see?”
He pressed a kiss to her throat. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go away.”
“Where would I go?”
“Never disappear on me, Gemma. I couldn’t take it.” Lines had darkened his face.
She couldn’t understand it and pulled him back. “Someone once said, ‘Don’t give in to your fears. If you do, you won’t be able to talk to your heart.’”
“That was Paulo Coelho.”
Gemma caught his handsome face in her hands. “You’re disgustingly intelligent, my love, but you need to take his advice. Don’t you know I plan to cling to you forever?”
“I’m besotted with you, Gemma.” He hurried to the door in his robe and came back with a tray of food that smelled divine. “Cesare has really outdone himself.”
She took it from him and put it on the bed. “Let’s eat fast so I can love you all over again.”
His smile melted her bones. “I’m planning to keep you locked up here forever.”
She leaned across to kiss his jaw. He needed a shave. “That’s fine as long as you let me out in time for the grand opening. It’ll be here in a few days. I was hired to cook, remember?”
Those silvery eyes blazed with fire for her. “Do you think I can ever forget anything since you came back into my life?”
He ate his cheese-and-ham strata in record time, displaying the appetite she always associated with him. Then he put the tray on the floor. After taking her in his arms again, he buried his face in her neck.
“We were meant to be together from the beginning. Love me, sposa squisita. I was hooked from the first time I saw the cutest little honey-blonde girl on earth come running out to the ruins to play hide and go seek. Her eyes were greener than the grass and her smile was like sunshine. My five-year-old heart quivered, and that has never changed.”
“Vincenzo—”
