I had to touch my lips to make sure it was real. That he was real. That he had the power to consume me with just a kiss.
And I instinctually knew what he’d done.
He was leaving me with a promise.
That night, I was just his girl.
The next day, I’d be hiswife.
The thought made me shiver, and goosebumps puckered my arms.
I was reminded, for the umpteenth time, that not everyone seemed to experience a love like ours, and, for the umpteenth time, I vowed to the sky to always remember what a gift it was.
The thought of Matteo keeping his hand on me all night long had me grinning after the shock of the kiss lessened. I knew the feel of his kiss wouldn’t entirely go away. I’d feel it for the rest of my life. That was how deeply he touched me. But he’d said the dress I was wearing was giving him heart palpations because of how gorgeous I looked in it. He said I was “a feast for the eyes” for the single men in his family (and a few that were not single) every time they looked at me.
Pnina had designed all my dresses for this wedding, and would for the next, and like all of them, she called them couture. The one I wore for the dinner was strapless, sequined, midi length, with a slight slit in the back. The color was an ivory that bordered on the softest pink, and it had a white lace flower design— where the sequins were—on the front and back, almost as if I had nothing on, and the flowers were a part of my skin. Almost like an illusion. The top accentuated my bosom, and the waist cinched, showing off my hourglass figure. It was so elegant with a touch of glamour that seemed to suit my personality. The heels seemed both silver and gold, depending on how the light hit them.
I realized then why all these women dressed up for these men.
The way Matteo looked at me, touched me, was addicting. It was like he appreciated the art that I wore on my body, but nothing came close to taking it off. He was in love with the canvas as much as he was with the painted art.
I sighed, and it was a sweet, soft sound. A sound that came from a content heart.
Nonno seemed to be watching the entire exchange with a pleased look on his face, and without a word, he offered me his arm. He walked me up to my room, placed a gentle kiss on my cheek, and left me to it.
Instead of taking a long, hot bath, I decided to go straight to the window in search of the stars. I undid the straps of my heels and just…breathed. The view didn’t disappoint. And neither did the telescope either Scarlett or Brando had left in the room for me. Matteo’s parents had given us one as a gift during dinner, explaining that Brando had bought one for Scarlett as a wedding gift. Since our love was written in the stars, they both thought it was a gift we’d both treasure.
I wasn’t sure how to work the one in my room, but I had a feeling Matteo was across the hills, gazing in my direction with our gift from his parents.
Even though he probably couldn’t see me, I lifted my hand and closed my eyes, like maybe he was lifting his too and we were touching. Two stars drifting underneath a sky full of them.
A knock came at the door, and I went to answer it.
Matteo’s great-uncle, Dr. Tito.
He was very old, and almost too thin, but there was still something very strong about him. He was intelligent and still had a sharp sense.
“You are busy?” He lifted his eyebrows.
“Just star gazing.” I smiled at him. “Would you like to come in?”
He returned the smile. “Sì. Just for a small while. I do not want to keep the bride up before her special day.”
“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.” I moved away from the door, and rushing into the bathroom, came out with the chair to the vanity for him to sit on.
He took it from me and placed it in front of the window, which held views of what seemed like a million miles of stars, all circulating above our heads. “Sit.” He nodded to the plush chair with wrought-iron legs.
“I’d be happier if you did,” I said, not wanting him to get tired. “I have too much anxious energy. I need to stand.”
He smiled like he knew I wasn’t telling the entire truth, but he sat with a contented sigh. Being quiet around these men never made me feel awkward. It almost felt as if we were bonding in the silence, and Great Uncle Tito was no exception. We both seemed to take in the view, not saying a word, just absorbing it all. Then he sighed and I looked at him.
He smiled at me. “You know that I am a doctor?”
“The best, or so I’ve heard.”
He waved the compliment off, but I could tell he was pleased. “I have only done what most healers do—all that Icoulddo with these two hands.” He lifted them, turning them left and right some. With the way the stars seemed to crowd the window, it looked as if he were washing them in a celestial bath. “And with this.” He tapped his temple. “And this.” He touched his heart.
“You must have so many stories to tell,” I whispered, leaning my back against the window frame. I wasn’t entirely blocking his view, but I knew I’d become a part of it. Which was really cool. I was in with the stars.
