I was shocked at her candour. I had clearly gotten the wrong end of the stick. I assumed that Cesare had had affairs and moved through women like a fish cutting through water.
Katherine turned to me, her cheeks glowing pink at her slip of composure. "I'm glad that Cesare didn't ruin Alessio. He was so worried that his colourful love life would've damaged his desire to settle down. But I'm thrilled that he's found true love. Cesare thought he'd forced him into a marriage that would make him unhappy, but we can all see how much he loves you."
Panic and denial slammed my chest. For some odd reason, Alessio's family seemed to have a vastly different idea of what our marriage was than I did. It was no secret that our union was the joining of two powerful families, yet I had the distinct impression that they considered our match a true romantic success.
A denial hung ready on my tongue, but then my eyes cut to Alessio, and our gazes clashed and held. Even from across the room, there was an electric heat that kept us fused. I felt it deep within my soul, burrowed forever in my heart. Whereas Alessio most likely felt our connection from the edge of his groin to the tip of his appendage.
Katherine caught the look that passed between us and slid me an I-told-you-so wink. Any words of refute would have been contradictory to the heated proof she just witnessed.
Luckily, I was saved from answering when Dante ran up to us, asking his mum if he could have an extra slice of cake. Alessio approached behind him, his eyes hungry on me, sliding down my slender frame in naked appreciation before he met my stare with an unashamed and lazy smile.
My lips twitched as I noted the telltale glassy glint in his eye. My husband had overindulged to the side of tipsy; a rare oversight for him. The last, and only time, I had seen him completely sloshed was the day he caught me in the hotel with Archie. He locked himself in his study all day, and when I heard the door creak open, I peeked down the hall to watch him stagger to the spare room. When I passed his study the next morning, I could still smell the stifling stench of alcohol fumes. It had been one of the only times I'd seen my husband's mask of composure slip.
Alessio held his hand out to me, his mouth still tipped in a grin that made him look boyish and carefree. "I would like to dance with my wife."
My heart leapt at his words, and a silent thrill warmed me at hearing his command, at hearing the title he rarely uttered.
My wife
I allowed him to lead me to the dance floor, my hands naturally gliding up his chest and linking my fingers behind his neck. He brought my body flush against his, his hands spanning my waist as we swayed to some soft melody.
"You look beautiful tonight," he murmured.
"You don't look so bad yourself," I softly replied, suddenly shy.
"Are you looking forward to heading back home?" His breath was warm against my cheek. "I know my family can be a lot."
I shot him a look of soft reproach. "Nonsense! I love your family. They're so warm and…and loud."
He laughed, holding me tighter. He knew what I meant. His family were a stark contrast to mine, who were not so vocally boisterous. "Well, I'll be happy to spend time at Grafton House. Although you'll understand if I'm suddenly absent during a game of charades," he quipped.
I giggled, slapping his chest playfully. Parlour games were not Alessio's thing, although he had indulged in a rousing game of blind man’s buff at the kids' insistence.
We were quiet for a moment as we swayed together, content to enjoy each other's company. It wasn't long before the attraction sizzled between us, and I felt his fingers tighten against my waist. His lips ghosted my forehead, and I gave a soft smile.
"Speaking of family," I started, wanting a distraction from the building heat. "I had a lovely conversation with Katherine."
Alessio's powerful frame tightened at my words, and although he still held me close, I could feel his sudden distance.
"Oh?"
"I had no idea that you two grew up together."
He snorted softly, his eyes leaving mine to search the room. Their previously warm depths now held a dark void of disdain.
"I would hardly call it that. She was a hanger-on. A friend of a friend. I barely spoke to her and always thought her a quiet little thing. A few friends swore she had a crush on me, but little did I know she had her sights set on a grander prize."
I leaned back, my brow raised. "Don't be cruel," I admonished, and he shrugged carelessly.
"I admit, I did think theirs was a convenient match—an exchange of wealth and stability for the stroke of an ego," I continued. "But I think she truly loves your father. Apparently, she'd been crushing on him for quite some time."
"Yes…well. She's certainly managed to achieve what no other woman has, apart from my mother. An heir and a male spare."
"Alessio—"
"Must we talk of such things?" he growled, his head bending down to rest close to mine. "I'd much rather be discussing my lovely wife and all the wicked things I will do to her later."
And just like that, the subject was closed. We spent the rest of the night by each other's side, enjoying the company of his friends and family. Alessio discussed business with his father whilst I gossiped nearby with his sister and Katherine.
