I wasn't sure who moved first, but the space between us disappeared and our mouths met in an explosive kiss that instantly melted everything else away. A breathless gasp left my mouth when Giovanni swept me off my feet, carrying me through the hall like I weighed nothing.He climbed up the stairs, his mouth never leaving mine once. I heard the bedroom door fling open with a thud and he threw me on the bed. I bounced on the large mattress, my hungry eyes taking in the sight of his beautiful body. My heart was hammering in my chest, every never in my body lit up with anticipation. His eyes were dark and dangerous, holding my gaze as he stripped off his shirt. And there it was again. The tattoo sprawled across his back. I'd seen it before, but didn't pay much attention to it. Not that there was nothing between us, it was stark and bold. I realized it was the map of Italy, the red and black intricate lines fanned across his back like a brush stroke dipped in ink. He climbed over my
We returned to the kitchen, Dona Paula offering to give me one of her favourite teams. I watched the way she floated around the large room as she poured water into two cups. "I hope you'll like this, it's a little on the bitter side but it has its benefits," she said with a smile, dropping a pinch of crushed herbs into the hot water. "Although, I added in a little bit of something now."I took the cup with both hands, the heat doing wonders to my nerves. I inhaled the fragrant steam, and I caught the faint whiff of cloves. I gingerly slipped, and it slid smoothly down my throat. Dona was right, it truly was on the bitter side but the aftertaste made up for it. I took another sip, and then another, and another, until the cup was empty. "Wow," I said with wide eyes, dropping the porcelain back on the table. "What's in there?""It's a secret," she said with a wink, and then added. "But-""But?""It's for virility," she said casually, stirring her own cup with a small silver spoon. "I
"Dahlia?"My twin's reflection stared back at me, but this time, it spoke."Imposter."I jerked back, my heart skipping. My breath hitched in my throat as I stared into the mirror again, but the reflection was gone. Instead, my own eyes stared back at me. But her words echoed over and over again in my head.Imposter. She'd called me an imposter. Shit. Shit. Shit! What the hell was going on? Why the hell was I seeing things?A soft knock broke through my face, and I turned around to see the door creaking open."Breakfast is ready," Giovanni called gently from the door, poking his head in. "You good?" I forced a smile, and nodded. "Yeah, I'm coming."He shot me a grin, causing my heart to stutter. I watched as he shut the door, the sound of his footsteps fading. I sucked in a shaky breath and ran my fingers through my hair, tugging at the strands. I was falling for him. Goodness. I was falling for the man who thought I was someone else. The man who would probably wipe what was left
I stirred beneath the silk sheets, warmth curling through me like a slow burn. The sensation wasn't from the cold, it was Giovanni. His mouth trailed along my skin like a deliberate whisper."Giovanni," I murmured his name, my eyes fluttering shut as his lips moved down my body. My fingers fisted the sheets and I tugged. My lips parted but no sound came out, causing me to hold my breath. When he reached my thighs, running his wet tongue all over her skin. I was beginning to see the stars already. "You taste so good, baby." He murmured against me, his voice was like velvet and sin. My center has begun to throb painfully, and I breathed rapidly, my chest rising and falling. I looked down to see his dark eyes twinkling with the promise of something. "I hope you're ready for me."Before I could respond, his mouth pressed against my soaked center in a way that made me explode at once. I gasped, bolting upright in bed. My chest was heaving, and my skin was flushed. I blinked at the so
As the night progressed, the party began to dwindle, and some guests had already begun to take their leave. Don Rodriguez had cut his cake and made his birthday wish, this was followed by a spectacular fireworks display that left everyone in awe. I was beginning to get tired, and Giovanni promised that we would leave soon. That was until someone pulled him into another conversation, this one was a group of older men in suits. I didn't know them, but I got the sense it was serious business talk. So I excused myself, using the opportunity to find my hero tonight. I spotted Dona Paula resting against one of the pillars, a glass of champagne in hand. "Hi," I greeted softly, standing beside her. "I just wanted to say thank you. For helping me tonight." She raised a brow, and took a sip from her glass. "The wife should be the husband's center, not another." I smiled. "I realize that now." Dona Paula turned to me, her expression fiercer. "The world you live in now is a ruthless one, c
Dona Paula took my hand with a cheerful grin, her red lips curling as she pulled me through the crowd like a prized gem she couldn't wait to show off. I still didn't understand her plan fully. She just asked if I could dance salsa, and I said yes then she proceeded to yank my arm and pull me through the sea of numerous guests. When we approached a smaller circle tucked in one corner of the room, I sighted Giovanni amongst them.I began to have an idea of what she was planning to do. We shared a brief look of understanding before launching into their midst. "Look who I found," Dona Paula announced with a glint of pride, drawing everyone's attention. "Isn't she simply breathtaking tonight?"I felt the spotlight shifting to me. Nine pairs of eyes watched me, some curious, others startled, and a few were unconcerned. "I told her when I saw her by the dancers," Dona Paula continued. "You must tell me everything you do to look this resplendent. I don't think I've seen anyone this gorge
I watched their interaction with an eyebrow raised, and my lips pressed. The strange girl who'd come from nowhere had been going on and on, for the past five minutes now, about how she was excited to see Gio. Her voice was a little too high, and she punctuated every other sentence by throwing her arms around him in an overfamiliar hug. And no, it wasn't the hugs that bothered me. It was how frequent they were. How her red nails always managed to graze his arm a second longer than necessary. Giovanni didn't return the energy, of course. His body remained stiff each time she touched him. His smile was thin, and he never touched her back. But he also wasn't pushing her away. And that was the part that didn't sit right with me. "You must be the wife," the girl turned to me, her false lashes batting with fake sweetness. "I'm Julian Rodriguez. The celebrants daughter." "Dahlia Orlando," I said with a small nod, and watched the way her smile faltered when she heard my last name. "The
|GIOVANNI'S POV|Dahlia stepped out of the walk-in closet again, the third outfit hanging off her frame as she twirled with a hopeful smile. "What about this one?"I was seated on the edge of the couch with a half full glass of wine in hand as I gave the dress a lazy glance and shrugged. "Too serious. You look like you're attending a board meeting." She sighed dramatically and disappeared back inside, mumbling something about how this was becoming traumatic for her. My lips involuntarily twitched, and I leaned back against the couch. The next few outfits were all the same; too plain, too dramatic, too not her. I had no doubt that she was beginning to think I was doing it on purpose. I was also tired, starting to lose hope that we would find the perfect feet. She stepped out for the umpteenth time, I'd already lost count, in a champagne colored dress. It was soft and elegant, with a satin shimmer that hugged her in all the right places and a delicate make back that caught the ro
|GIOVANNI'S POV|We pulled out of the driveway, heading in the direction of the town's mall a few miles out. I decided to drive this time, having a feeling that she would feel more comfortable if it were only the two of them. However Dahlia sat quietly in the passenger seat, her gaze fixed out the window, and her fingers absently twirling a loose thread on her dress. I kept glancing at her in an attempt to read her face. She was too quiet. And not the usual thoughtful mind of quiet, this was something heavier. Like her mind was moving a mile a minute but her lips remained sealed. I adjusted my grip on the steering wheel, the soft hum of the engine the only sound between them."Are you okay?" I finally asked, my voice low. She nodded, but it didn't reach her eyes. I exhaled, my eyes flicking back to the road. She was probably thinking about it too. That moment in the bedroom earlier. Suddenly all I could see was her skin beneath my hands, the ways she moaned into my ears. The s