Her breath hitches, all humor erased from her expression. “I love you more.”
“Don’t bet on that.” I kiss her forehead, inhaling her amber scent.
She fucking loves me.I swallow hard. Elation thrums through my chest.
The elevator dings, the doors open on our floor. Taking her hand, my heart so full it could burst, we find our suite at the end of the short hallway. I wanted a nice place for our honeymoon, so I booked the best room in the place.
On entering, I take in the airy space with marble columns, soft linens, and an excellent view of the city. This will certainly do until we head to Rome.
“What do you think?” I ask Ravenna, who’s already making herself at home.
She plucks a grape from the table’s centerpiece and pops it in her mouth. “I could live here forever.”
And I would be happy living wherever my wife wants to be. She loves me.
CHAPTER 30
Ravenna
Our second honeymoon delivers on everything it promised us. I spend my days in Parma visiting with Elena in the confines of our relatives’ house since she refuses to leave the safety of these walls. I’m still worried about her mental health, but she does seem to be calmer than she was in Manhattan. For that, I’m grateful.
My nights are spent wrapped in Cian’s arms. Every morning I wake up and love him more than I did the day before. He knew how much I missed my sister without me having to say a word.
We spend an entire week in Parma where I visit with my sister until it’s time to continue our travels. Saying farewell to her this time isn’t as soul crushing. I know she’s only a flight away. Plus, she seems to be doing better.
Cian and I travel to Rome for a whirlwind trip of sightseeing, luxury hotels, and being so wrapped up in each other that the strangers around us may as well cease to exist. Even their stares and gasps at the sight of Cian don’t get under my skin like they have before. I simply shoot them withering glares, then we continue on with our day.
We’re six months into our marriage, and I’ve never been happier. I hope this honeymoon phase of our relationship neverends. I want Cian to gaze at me like I’m the center of his universe for the rest of our lives.
I’m so caught up in our blissful honeymoon that my early morning cramps take me by surprise. Pain doesn’t belong in this perfect fantasy life that I’m living in Rome.
With a groan, I climb out of bed and hurry to the bathroom. Sure enough, my period has arrived right on time.
A lead weight drops in my stomach and my shoulders slump. I’d hoped… Well, I’d hoped to be pregnant by now.
For the first few months we were together, I figured my body wasn’t ready yet. After being beaten and drugged, I had a lot of healing to do, so I didn’t worry about the fact that my period kept arriving every month. But recently we’ve been having so much sex, and this trip has been so relaxing that I was sure it would finally happen.
But it hasn’t. Once again I’m not pregnant.
Securing a tampon in place, I find a pair of panties and slip into a silky robe. I down a couple of Tylenol to deal with the pain. My good mood completely ruined, I settle onto the sofa and stare out at the dawn.
“Why are you up so early?” Cian appears in the bedroom doorway, his blond hair tousled by sleep. He’s so big his frame easily fills the space.
“Cramps,” I state as an explanation. Drawing my feet up, I hug my knees.
“Oh.” His tone comes out flat, and I see the flicker of disappointment in his eyes before he looks away.
That sight sends me spiraling. My eyes sting as my face grows hot. Before I can stop them, silent tears spill down my cheeks.
Cian glances at me in alarm. He rushes to my side, frantically trying to figure out what’s wrong. “Do they hurt that much? What can I do? Tell me what to do.”
I shake my head. “It’s not the pain, that’s fine. It’s—” I avert my gaze.
He cups my chin, lifting my chin until I meet his eyes. “Tell me what’s wrong,broc meala. I’ll do everything in my power to make it right.”
My chest clenches. “It’s just that…” I sniffle. “I’m not pregnant. Shouldn’t I be pregnant by now?”
“Oh, my sweet wife.” His gaze softens. “Not necessarily. These things can take time. It will happen when it’s supposed to, I promise.”
