“What is this place?” she breathes.
“La Dolce Vita,” I tell her, my lips close to her ear. “It means ‘the sweet life’ or ‘the good life’ in Italian.”
“It’s yours?” Her fingers tighten around my forearms, still wrapped around her waist.
“It was my mom’s,” I tell her, surprised by how easily I share this information. “The island and the boat were gifts from my dad when I was born. Now it’s mine.” I pause, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Ours.”
She turns in my arms, searching my face with those clear blue eyes that see too much. “Your mom’s?” It’s the first personal detail I’ve voluntarily offered about my family beyond the cousins she’s met, and she understands the significance immediately.
“She loved it here,” I say simply, not elaborating.
Alina seems to understand. She stretches up on tiptoes, pressing a soft kiss to my jaw before turning back to watch as weapproach the private dock extending from the island’s eastern shore.
The boat slows, water churning as we ease alongside the wooden structure. Colin jumps out first, securing the craft with practiced efficiency. I lift Alina onto the dock, enjoying her small squeak of surprise as my hands span her waist.
“Welcome to our honeymoon,” I tell her, taking her hand as we make our way up the stone path that winds through fragrant tropical foliage.
With each step, the villa grows more impressive—a modernist structure of white stone and glass that somehow blends perfectly with the natural landscape surrounding it. Multiple terraces extend from different levels, each offering uninterrupted views of the ocean.
“This is…” Alina shakes her head, apparently unable to find words adequate for her amazement.
“Our home for the next two weeks,” I say, using her pause to finish the sentence myself. I guide her up the final steps to the main entrance. “It’s only us here. Well, almost.”
“No one else lives here?”
“Security stays in a smaller house on the opposite side of the island,” I explain, pushing open the massive front door. “But they’ll remain invisible unless needed.”
She steps inside, her soft gasp echoing in the airy entrance hall. The space opens immediately into a vast living area dominated by floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the ocean like a living painting.
White furniture, accented with blues and greens that mirror the view, creates comfortable seating areas throughout the room.
“The bedrooms are upstairs,” I continue, enjoying her wide-eyed exploration. “Five of them, though we’ll only need one. The kitchen is fully stocked. There’s a private beach on the westernside for sunset swimming. A pool behind the house if you prefer fresh water.”
Alina turns slowly in place, taking it all in. Then, suddenly, her expression shifts from wonder to panic.
“Wait,” she says, hands flying to her cheeks. “You told me not to pack anything. Why would you say that? I don’t have any clothes or toiletries or—”
I cut off her spiraling with laughter, unable to help myself. She looks so genuinely distressed by something so easily solved.
“What’s so funny?” she demands, hands dropping to her hips.
“Come with me,” I say, taking her hand and leading her up the floating staircase to the second level.
The master suite occupies the entire eastern wing of the upper floor—a spacious bedroom with the same breathtaking views as below, an oversized bathroom with both indoor and outdoor shower options, and a private terrace with a hot tub overlooking the ocean.
But it’s not these luxuries I want to show her. Instead, I guide her to a set of double doors on the far wall of the bedroom.
“Open them,” I instruct.
She does, then freezes in the doorway, her mouth forming a perfect O of surprise. Beyond the doors lies a walk-in closet, fully stocked with clothing in her size. Everything from casual beachwear to elegant evening dresses, swimsuits in various styles, lingerie that makes my cock twitch just imagining her in it, and shelves of shoes and accessories to complete any look.
On the opposite wall, a similar but smaller selection of men’s clothing waits for me.
“Susan, Piper, and Raven made sure you have everything you could ever need.” I watch her stunned expression with satisfaction. “They said shopping for you was more fun than they’ve had in months.”
She runs her fingers over a silk sundress in pale blue that will match her eyes perfectly. “They did this? For me?”
“They are family,” I remind her, moving behind her to wrap my arms around her waist. “Our family.”
