“Yes, and I don’t care,” Teo says at the same time Enzo says, “And your point is?”
I shake my head at these two overly possessive men. “I love you guys, but I’m so happy I don’t have to deal with men like you.”
They laugh.
“You’re funny, Liana,” Enzo says at the same time Teo mumbles, “Yeah, we’ll see about that.”
“What’s that supposed to mea?—”
The French doors swing open, and my breath is stolen when I take in the sight before me.
An array of white and dusty-blue florals line the aisle. Extravagant crystal chandeliers hang high from the ceilings. And Massimo stands at the altar in a navy-blue suit with a matching floral arch behind him.
It’s stunning.
I don’t think I could’ve planned a better wedding if I tried, and it annoys me how much thought he put into this.
Enzo, Teo, and I start walking down the aisle while the violinists play.
Every seat is filled, and it surprises me how many people from my guest list came. I guess Massimo was right when he said people would drop everything to be here.
When I get to the altar, Teo and Enzo hand me off to Massimo, whose smile broadened with each step I took toward him.
“Are you ready, Mrs. Bonetti?” he whispers to me, then takes my hands and stands across from me.
I glance at Father Barone and give him a courteous smile. It’s been several years since I’ve seen him. The last time I think I saw him was at my parents’ funeral.
“As ready as ever,Mr. Bonetti,” I say with tight lips.
Massimo never takes his eyes off me while Father Barone runs through the ceremony, and each time I make eye contactwith him, I get thrown back to the other day when he had me pressed up against the wall in his room.
The way the heat from his lips danced across mine. It’s like he had me in some sort of spell, captivated by his attention. I was going to let him kiss me. Had that message not interrupted the moment, pulling me out and reminding me of where I was, I would’ve.What is going on with me?Is it just this physical attraction that I have to Massimo? Or is something more happening here? Regardless, I have to stay strong. Remember who this man is and how I ended up in this situation. I have to keep telling myself that. I will not give into him.
Massimo squeezes my hands, and I snap my gaze back to his, crinkling my brow.
“It’s your turn.”
Turn?
I glance over at Father Barone who says, “It’s your turn to repeat your vows after me.”
My face blanches. I missed the entire ceremony? How are we already to the vows? My heart picks up pace as realization dawns on me that our marriage is about to become permanent.
“I, Liana DiMaggio, take thee, Massimo Bonetti, to be my wedded husband…” Father Barone says, then nods to me with an encouraging smile.
“I-I, Liana DiMaggio, take thee, Massimo Bonetti, to be my wedded husband…”
I move my gaze back to Massimo and recite the rest of my vows after Father Barone, then before I know it, he’s saying the words I’m not sure I’m ready to hear.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
My eyes widen when a smirk tugs at Massimo’s lips. Pulling me into him, he wraps one arm around my lower back, thencups my neck with the other. My head instinctively angles itself, preparing for what’s to happen.
He bends down and takes my lips in his. A spark lights within me that I try to put out, but when my mouth parts for him, I lose all sense of well-being and fall into the desire that is Massimo Bonetti.
The kiss is sweet but sensuous, stealing my breath when he pulls away from me.
I lick my lips, my focus stuck on his and how much I hate that they’re not still on mine.
