Once they were alone again, Nahla turned toward him.
“So . . .” she said.
Cannon laughed and wrapped a hand around her waist. Pulling her close, he said, “La, we’ve been on a mission since we met. Ever since I knocked on your door, it’s been survival and protection mode for us.” He brushed a thumb across her cheek. “I just wanna slow this whole thing down for a minute and get to know the love of my life better.”
She felt her eyes water at his perfect words.
“Cannon,” she said softly.
Instead of letting her continue, he dipped his head and kissed her slowly. Once he finally pulled away, he said, “Capri is efficient at everything she does, so I’m sure she packed everything you need and more. If not, though, we’ll get it when we get there. Cool?”
She nodded silently, still in awe of the man in front of her.
Nahla slipped her hand into Cannon’s and followed him across the tarmac. She had been on a private jet before, but even then, she had to walk through the airport. This was something different. He led her to a booth where she had to show her license. Cannon surprised her, yet again, when he pulled out her passport. Nahla shook her head because there was no telling when he found that in her house. The check-in process took about five minutes then Cannon led her onto the jet.
Once they were seated, Nahla rested her head on his shoulder and asked, “Are you gonna tell me where we’re going?”
“Nope. Now come on.”
Cannon had been watching Nahla sleep for the last half hour of their nine-hour flight. She tried to stay up the entire time but was now curled up under the soft throw blanket. Her head was in his lap, her hair was covering half of her face, and her lips parted just a little. She looked peaceful, and that had Cannon feeling accomplished. He wanted Nahla to be at peace. He wanted Nahla to be happy.
When the wheels touched the runway, she stirred, blinking up at him with a lazy, half-away smile. He thought for sure she would have sat up quickly, trying to look out of the window, and guess where they were before he had the chance to tell her. Instead, though, she asked him in a slightly raspy voice, “Where are we?”
He couldn’t help but smile at her. “Venice.”
That was when she shot up. Rushing to the window, she asked, “Venice, as inItaly?”
“Yeah, that one.” She turned around and rolled her eyes at him but dove into his chest immediately after.
“How in the world did you make this happen so fast? You didn’t have to do all this. I can’t believe I’m here?—”
Cannon cut her off with a kiss. “Don’t be tellin’ me what I don’t have to do. I’m doin’ what I want, La, and that’s lovin’ you out loud. I told you I wanna slow us down for a minute. I want to get to know all the parts of you that got lost in the chaos. According to Cap, this is one of the best places for that.”
He kissed her again. “You deserve this and so much more. Shid,wedeserve more. We deserve memories that aren’t attached to danger and fear. We deserve time together, so I’onwanna hear nothing about what I don’t have to do for you. Just relax, baby. Relax, and let me date you.”
Her eyes got misty, and he kissed her forehead. “Nah, don’t start that cryin’. We got things to do. Let’s go.” Cannon grabbed their things and led Nahla off the plane. An attendant was waiting when they stepped off. His name was Gabriele, and he explained that he would be with them for their entire stay. After assuring them that their bags were already being transported to their resort, Gabriele led them to a golf cart.
It was about a ten-minute ride to a dock with small brown boats lining the shore. Gabriele explained that these were boat taxis and that was how they would travel to their resort. Cannon could feel the excitement radiating off Nahla as they loaded into the taxi.
Within minutes, they were gliding through the Grand Canal. It was early evening, and the sun’s position made the water shimmer in a way that had him appreciating nature a little bit. He glanced at Nahla because he was sure she was loving this.
He watched her take in their surroundings. She continuously turned in her seat, trying to look at the stone bridges arching over them, the pastel buildings all around, and the gondolas drifting by.
She looked mesmerized by it all.
“Cannon,” she said after a while.
“Yeah, La?”
“This is amazing.”
“It is.”
It really was. Cannon had been to several places, but only with the Marines. He had never traveled overseas for pleasure, so this was a first for him, with Nahla.
After about twenty minutes, they approached a private dock. It was lined with candles that flickered in the breeze, and Cannon heard Nahla’s breath hitch.
“This is so beautiful,” she whispered. Cannon helped her to her feet, and they stepped onto the dock. Their path was lined with flower petals, and as they followed Gabriele, Cannon realized the petals led them to the front of the resort.
