Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
He grinned against my head. “I missed your sass.”
“I missed you.”
He tilted up my chin, his focus intent on me. “I’m sorry, Little Bee.”
“I know.”
“Never again.”
“Then you’re forgiven.”
He pulled me back to him and was asleep in seconds.
Wrapped around him, drenched in us, I joined him quickly.
DANTE
I woke, panicked briefly when I realized I was alone.
Had it all been a dream?
But then I saw Brianna’s overalls on the floor. I bent and held them up, grimacing at the torn material. I had been in a hurry. A damp towel was beside the clothing, and I knew she must have had a shower. I was shocked I’d slept through it, but given how little sleep I’d had lately, I supposed I shouldn’t be.
I slid from the bed, grabbing some pants and sliding them on. I hurried downstairs and found her in the kitchen, her brow furrowed in concentration as she decorated the cake in front of her. She wore my shirt, and her hair was a disaster. She was perfect.
“You were supposed to stay,” I said dryly. “Clearly, taking orders is still a hard thing for you.”
She shook her head, not looking up. “Something else was hard a while ago. I hope it’s abated somewhat. I’m walking a little funny.”
I came up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and leaning my chin on her shoulder. “It’s always hard around you.”
“Well, it has to wait. I’m busy, and I don’t want this cake to look like it was decorated by a four-year-old high on sugar.”
I chuckled and studied the cake. Another masterpiece. The cake looked like a wreath, the flowers piped in different colors, intricate leaves and petals covering the delicious layers. Tiny dewdrops made it look lifelike.
“Hummingbird?” I asked hopefully.
“Yes.”
“My favorite.”
She put down the icing bag and turned in my arms. “Made for my favorite kidnapper.”
“I thought I was the worst kidnapper?”
“You graduated and became the best.”
“When did that happen?”
“When you fell in love with me.”
I pressed a kiss to her nose. “I think I fell in love with you as soon as you slapped my hands and asked what the h-e-double-hockey-sticks I was doing that close to your cake. Something inside me knew. And I was hooked.”
“I am pretty irresistible,” she agreed with a mischievous grin.
“You are.” I kissed her again. “So, I went from worst to best now?”
“Yes. Best and favorite.”
I chuckled. “Favorite husband soon. I prefer that title.”
“Not as catchy. I am going to get so much use out of this story. It’ll be legend.”
“Embellished, of course.”
“Well, you’ll be much younger. And handsome.”
“Little Bee,” I warned.
“And none of these defects.” She tapped the dimples on my cheeks. “And certainly none of the furrows.”
“I didn’t have those before you.”
“Well, since they make you sexier, you should thank me.”
“I should thank you for a lot of things. Like this cake. When do I get to eat it?”
She grinned and wrapped her arms around my neck. “After you eat me,” she whispered.
“Oh, we are demanding now.”
“Get used to it.”
“Happily.”
Her eyes were soft, melting pools of love I wanted to drown in.
“I love you, Dante.”
“I love you, Little Bee. I’ll make you happy.”
“You already do.”
I lifted her to the counter, standing between her legs.
I waggled my eyebrows. “Then let’s get busy, Little Bee.”
Her laughter was music to my ears.
Epilogue
BRIANNA
I woke up, shivering. Sitting up, I stared in horror around my room. Small, dingy walls. An uncomfortable bed. The air was cold, the sheets rough.
I was in my apartment. Alone.
No dappled sun filtering through the windows. No luxurious bed. No strong arms.
No Dante.
It had all been a dream. The constant buzz I could hear was my alarm, telling me it was time to get up, head to MaryJo’s bakery, and begin another long day of endless work.
I put my head down and began to cry.
Suddenly, the mattress dipped, and I felt heat. His heat. His warmth.
“Hey, Little Bee, wake up. Wake up for me.”
I startled, opening my eyes, meeting Dante’s golden gaze. He pulled me closer, pressing kisses to my head. “I’m here, Little Bee. Right here.”
I burrowed into his chest, inhaling his familiar scent. As always, being this close to him calmed me, and I relaxed, letting his proximity soothe me.
“I was back there—in that apartment. Alone. All of this—you—were gone,” I gasped.
“It was just a dream, baby. Just a dream.”
I shuddered, nestling closer.
“I was only gone a little while. I was just getting coffee and going to come back,” he murmured. “I guess being alone in a strange apartment made you disoriented.”
I opened my eyes again and looked around. We were in Dante’s condo in Toronto. We’d flown here yesterday to get Roomba and our license. We were getting married and then going back to Italy. Somehow, he’d rushed all the paperwork through that we needed to make it happen.