Page 22 of Reign of Fate
“Three weeks, Elisa. You need to decide what you want to do with the house,” he says matter-of-factly.
“Three weeks! I can’t possibly put together a wedding in three weeks. Finding a venue will be impossible.” Panic is setting in. First of all, this is becoming very real, and second, how on earth can I put together a wedding with someone of Ivo’s status in such a short time?
“Where would you like to have the reception lunch? I’ll take care of it.” He shrugs.
“These places are booked way in advance, Ivo. It’s not that easy.”
“Where?” He raises a brow.
“I don’t know. How many people? Fifty? It needs to be big enough to hold our guests comfortably, but not so big that it seems empty.”
“All right. We cap it at fifty. Where would you like?”
“I’d like the museum. They have a beautiful space, with elegant art on the walls and windows all along one wall that open up onto a terrace. But they don’t open that for events.” I know other girls who have tried to rent that space, but it was impossible. “I’ll look for a nice restaurant tomorrow.”
“Don’t bother. I’ll get the museum,” he says, then changes the topic. “We should have dessert.”
“Ivo—”
He looks into my eyes and gives me a look that says he won’t be swayed. “I’ll take care of it. And I’ll get you a list of guests that Raffaele will insist upon. It might be a good idea to include Evangeline in the planning. She’s eager, and she wants to help.”
“I like Evangeline,” I tell him. She’s been very kind and has made a point of having me over several times for coffee to chat since it was declared that Ivo and I would marry. I could definitely use a friend, and all this planning is going to make my head spin. “I’ll give her a call tomorrow and see if she wouldn’t mind.”
“Good. She’ll love it.” He calls over the waiter and orders two crème brûlées. Well, I guess that conversation is over. There’s more I need to say, but I don’t know how.
“Ivo,” I say. I have to tell him.
“Yes, regina mia.” My belly goes all gushy when he calls me that. I open my mouth, then close it again. I can’t. I’ve never brought up the topic of sex with a man. I don’t know what to say or how to start. “You’re not saying anything, babe,” he teases.
“I’ll do my best not to embarrass you,” I say. I’m a coward!
NINE
The Ring
ELISA
As we leave the restaurant, Ivo slips his arm around my waist in a possessive gesture for all to see. He helps me into his vehicle and climbs into the driver’s seat. He swings onto the main road, then casually rests his hand over mine and holds my hand all the way back to the house.
Ivo walks me to the door, as usual. Only this time, he says, “Invite me in, baby.”
I blink and inhale deeply. “Would you like to come in for coffee?” Goodness, I sound breathy and totally unlike me.
Oh, that sexy smile is mesmerizing. Ivo steps inside, and I move to close the door, but all of a sudden, I have my back against the door, and Ivo is pressing his body into mine. I feel his hard muscles, every inch of him.
He reaches out to touch a tendril of my hair with his fingers. “Did you wear that dress for me?”
Why am I finding it hard to breathe? I can’t concentrate with him this close to me. “I…I wanted to look nice for you,” I murmur.
“Mission accomplished, babe. I could hardly take my eyes off you, and neither could any other man in the room. It’s a miracle I didn’t start a war tonight,” he says, his hand moving down my cheek, and under my chin. His full lips hover over mine, so close, so very close. “I said I wouldn’t kiss you in this house, but I’ve waited a long time to taste you. I normally take what I want, and my patience is at an end. I’m going to kiss you now.”
Ivo tilts his head to the side, his eyes half-lidded, and his mouth descends. He presses his lips to mine. It starts off slow and sweet, soft, delicate kisses, once, twice, then harder, deeper, with fervent, urgent desire I’ve never felt before. One hand is braced next to my head; the other traces a path down my neck to grip my nape, holding me steady as his mouth plunders mine. All I can do is hold on to his arms for fear that my legs will buckle beneath me. My lips part beneath his insistent pressure, my head growing dizzy, my world spiraling, sending delicious tremors down my spine.
When he finally lifts his head, his dark eyes are brimming with fire, and both of us are gasping for breath. “Jesus Christ, baby, you can kiss,” he says, resting his forehead against mine.
I’m still clinging to his shoulders. I’ve never been kissed like this before. My lips are swollen, my chest heaving, my breasts pressing against the fabric of the lace corset of my dress. I’m positive my face is flushed. I didn’t want the kiss to end. Wordlessly, I gaze upward. He nips at my earlobe and whispers, “Oh yes. I’ll enjoy watching you come undone in our bed.”
He moves me away from the door and slowly releases me. My legs wobble as he caresses my cheek. “Good night, regina mia.”
