“What is it?” She stiffened slightly.
“I ended it last night with my lover. That’s where I went. To tell her I was getting married and we were over.”
She reared her head back to look up at me. “But why?”
“I told her that I wanted to give my marriage a chance and that my new wife deserved to be the only woman in my life.” I’d only been gone an hour when I left last night. Of course, Cara wasn’t happy about me ending things. She cried. Yelled. She tried to seduce me. But sex wouldn’t have changed anything. My mind had been made up.
“Wow. I’m without words.” She blinked rapidly as tears appeared.
“Are you really that surprised?”
“Don’t get angry, but yes. That whiplash I mentioned minutes ago is back.”
“I’m not angry. What else were you to believe after our introduction yesterday afternoon? I wasn’t exactly friendly.”
“No, you weren’t. And not at dinner either.” She sniffled and pressed the tip of her finger to the corner of her eyes. “What if you don’t like me after you get to know me?”
“Don’t be so negative.” I released her and gently cradled her face. “What if I fall in love with you?” What if I was already falling in love with her?
“Nobody would be more surprised than me. We didn’t start out on the right foot.”
“No, we didn’t. But we can try right now.” I slowly, like slower than a snail, lowered my mouth toward hers. If she jerked away, I’d take that as a sign she didn’t want my lips anywhere near hers.
“Are you going to kiss me?”
“What do you think?” I captured her lips and an electrifying energy exploded between us.
She seemed to melt and kissed me back. Raising her hands behind my head, her fingernails pricked the back of my neck, just enough to make me hard.
Now, I had kissed a lot of women, but not one of them had been my wife. Being with Giovanna felt different. It was like my heart wouldn’t allow me to betray her as if it knew she was my person.
In this moment, during our first kiss, it felt like she was the one I’d been waiting for my whole life.
Maybe subconsciously, I’d been holding out for Giovanna. It wasn’t like I hadn’t known she existed. My father had told me about the arranged marriage ten years ago, when I’d turned sixteen. I’d been shown pictures of her, and he’d said I could sow my oats. Get my fill of beautiful women. And when the time came to marry Giovanna, I had to put her first.
As we devoured each other, a switch flipped inside me. I was kissing my wife. My. Wife. The woman I would have a family with and spend the rest of my life with. Suddenly, I wanted it to be Saturday, the day we would say our vows in front of our families and friends, and have my Priest bless our union. It wouldn’t truly be real in my heart until we had a ceremony, and I danced with my wife.
On paper we were legally married, but I wanted to do everything right because this would be my one and only wife.
“I feel you down low,” she whispered against my mouth.
I knew exactly what she meant. I was hard as iron.
“A sign that I’m enjoying you.” I smiled a little, unashamed that she had turned me on. “I want you, Giovanna.”
“What about our afternoon together? I would like to meet my horse and maybe talk more with you.” She exhaled a deep breath and took my hand. “I’m sure that’s not what you wanted to hear.”
“I can be patient.” I turned her around to face the stall. “This is your horse. A mare. A—”
“Calabrese,” she squealed with delight and clapped. “This is the breed I have at home. Her name is Madonna, like the singer. Do you know her?” She opened the gate, went into the stall unafraid, and cooed as if talking to a baby.
“She sings the virgin song.” I didn’t know much more about the singer.
“Yes, and that’s the first thing that comes to your mind?” She belted out the cutest giggle and blushed.
Shrugging, I leaned against the post to watch Giovanna acquaint herself with the gentle mare. She picked up a brush and whispered to her new horse. The sight of them together was beautiful. Truly heartwarming how they seemed comfortable together.
I decided then to give them time alone, which would allow me to cool down. But if I were honest, I wanted Giovanna in my bed tonight.
