“I like when you call me Massi. You should do it more often.”
Our lips are so close, our breaths combine as one in the sheer amount of space between us.
“Tell me,mia moglie, do you still taste like sweet cherries?”
Her mouth bobbles, the heat from her breath searing my lips with an unquenchable thirst.
“I-I …”
Whatever she was about to say seems to get stuck in her throat, and when I take advantage, leaning down to see if she tastes just as sweet as I remember, her phone dings.
Fucking hell.
“Shit,”she hisses out, frantically pulling the interrupting piece of technology out of the pocket of her white blazer.
I let out an annoyed grunt and push off the wall, giving her enough space to check her phone.
“Crap,” she whispers out.
“What’s wrong?”
She shakes her head, shoving her phone back into her pocket. “Nothing. I just forgot I’m supposed to meet a client at the boutique soon. I have to go.”
She hurries out of the bedroom toward the elevator, so I follow her. Pausing in the foyer, she glances around at the boxes my brothers brought in.
“Don’t worry about this,” I say as I approach from behind her. “I’ll bring them to our room.”
She presses the elevator button, then spins on her heel to face me. “Um, yeah, okay, thanks. I… I’ll get everything put away soon.”
“You look flustered.” I can’t help the cocky grin that takes over my face. “Everything okay with work?”
“Perfectly fine,” she says, avoiding eye contact with me.
“Everything okay with us?”
She snaps her widened gaze to mine and, with tight lips, says, “As good as they’ll ever get.”
I cock a brow at her, but before I’m able to say anything, the elevator door opens and she backs into it.
I watch as the doors close, then take my phone out and send her a text.
Me: You won’t be able to run for long. In two days, you’ll be mine, mia moglie. Don’t forget that.
21
LIANA
Gazing into the mirror, I can’t help but get lost in thought over how I ended up here, marrying into the world I wanted to get out of.
I’ve spent years focused solely on building up my career. Relationships were something I gave up on in college, knowing the right guy would come at the right time.
Now, I’m here. Standing in my bridal suite wearing the most beautiful, yet simple mermaid gown with a high sheer neckline and matching long sleeves. Preparing to walk down the aisle to the exact man I’ve spent years—especially the last couple days—avoiding.
How did I end up here?
I’m waiting for Izzy, Lux, and Amalia to come back to the bridal suite when I hear mumbling in the hallway. It doesn’t take me long to realize it’s my family. Walking up to the door, I rest my hand on the handle and listen in.
“Right, but it’s pretty obvious she’s not doing this for love,” Teo says. I let out a sigh, knowing they’re talking about this sham of a wedding.
