Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
His whispered words calmed me. His touch soothed me. He met my gaze, and I saw the certainty in his eyes. His query of “Are you ready?” and his unexpected wink gave me the strength to say yes.
Then I stepped forward with him and became his wife.
The next few hours were a blur. Photos, introductions, some well-wishes and far more formal congratulations were said. As if sensing my fear, Roman never once left my side unless I was next to Aldo and Luca, who seemed to have formed a guard around Nonna, Justine, and me. And the brief moments I was without Roman, his gaze never left me.
The meal was spectacular, everyone commenting on the feast. I was hard-pressed to eat anything, my nerves still high, and what I did swallow was like ashes in my mouth. More than once, Roman leaned over, pressing a cube of cheese or a morsel of some other delicacy into my mouth.
“Eat, Little Tiger,” he whispered. “I want to dance with my wife, so you need your strength.”
I managed to eat enough to satisfy him. I was glad we had no head table. Instead, we sat with his family at one of the round tables so we weren’t on display. As it was, I felt the constant glances, some curious, some unfriendly, a very few genuinely kind. I was like a fish out of water, and I wished I was at the table with my guests as an observer, not the main attraction.
Once dinner was done and the cake cut, the music began. Roman stood and thanked people for coming, his voice projecting throughout the room. He was calm and looked at ease as he informed the crowd we would be leaving shortly for our honeymoon, but he expected them to stay and enjoy the bar and the casino if they so desired. “House accounts have been set up for each of you. Aldo will ensure your enjoyment,” he announced.
Amid the applause, he held out his hand and pulled me onto the dance floor as a lovely song began to play. He held me close, leading me around the floor.
“Honeymoon?” I asked quietly.
“You didn’t expect one?” he responded, sounding amused.
“I didn’t.”
“Well, it was meant as a surprise. It is only a couple of days. We’ll take a longer one in the fall.”
“I have nothing packed.”
“Vi did it for you. You have nothing to worry about.” He frowned. “I think you’re worrying about enough as it is.”
“I’m sorry?” I questioned.
He looked down at me. “Why did your eyes look so sad coming down the aisle, Little Tiger? I know you were nervous, but there was more. Was the thought of marrying me so terrible?”
I was surprised by his words. That he had seen my fear and my sadness. I was also shocked he was asking me here and now, but as I looked around, I realized to anyone looking, all they saw was a couple whispering to each other on their wedding day. Roman held me tight, his hand spread wide across my back. He was leaning close, his voice low, concerned.
I decided to be honest. “I was sad. For you.”
“For me?” He frowned. “I don’t understand.”
I sighed. “Because you feel you had to marry me, Roman. I hate the thought that you are giving up a part of your life you shouldn’t because of some misguided guilt.”
He blinked, shook his head, and swept me around so we were close to the corner. He stopped dancing, cupping my face, his body protecting me, once again throwing us into our own world. “Listen to me, my wife, and listen well. We are married because I chose to marry you. Not out of guilt. Not out of some obligation. Because I wanted to. We are going to make a life together that suits us both. Do you hear me?”
He traced circles on my skin with his thumbs. “I’m certain I’m not what you had in mind for a husband. I never planned on getting married. But we suit each other, Effie. You calm me. Focus me. I am obsessed with you on so many levels. I want you. Constantly. Never second-guess that. I am exactly where I want to be. Understand?”
I tried to take in his words. Calm. Focused. Obsessed. Exactly where he wanted to be.
A small flicker of hope ignited inside me. Maybe he felt more than he had let on. He had planned all this. Ensured the day he could have kept fast and simple was pretty and filled with music, flowers, and even a touch of romance. The earrings on my pillow, the way he stopped everything to reassure me, his closeness. All of it had to mean something, right?
I met his questioning gaze. His patient, worried gaze. He wanted me to be happy.
“I understand.”