by Soraya Naomi
After I guide her to the front, she moves aside to hug my best friend.
“Adriano! I can’t believe you guys are all here,” she utters.
He also presses a soft kiss on her cheek and winks at me. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Fallon.”
I’m pleased that she and Adriano have bonded.
“Salvatore, James,” she greets them with a kiss as well.
They each introduce Fallon to their spouses after giving her a tender embrace that astounds me.
When I give the signal, the band ceases playing, everyone returns to their seat, and the room goes silent as I go down on one knee just as Fallon turns to me, and the first thing she does is graze her fingers over my beard, reassuring me.
I open the light blue box, and the platinum princess cut diamond engagement ring sparkles in the light. “Mi vuoi sposare? Will you marry me?”
Her hand flies to her mouth as the other palms my jaw. “Yes! In a heartbeat.”
I smile as exhilaration settles in my veins, and I place the ring on her finger. Rising, I pick Fallon up by her waist and kiss her as cheers and applause erupt from our guests.
“Did you know?” I whisper into her ear.
“I had a feeling you were planning something when you gave me the gown, but before that, no. You’ve made me the happiest girl in the world. Ti amo.” I love you.
“And I’m the luckiest guy. Ti amo così tanto.” I love you so much.
“So this is our engagement party?”
I place her back on her feet, but she keeps her arms looped around my neck. And it’s as if we’re alone in the room because we only have eyes for each other. I can’t stop touching at least some part of her, so I unabashedly caress her sides.
“Well, that’s your choice. It can be our engagement party or our wedding. If you’d rather go back to the States and plan an entire wedding, that’s fine by me, but if you want to get married here in Venice, right now, that’s also possible.” I rest my forehead against hers as the corners of Fallon’s mouth curl up.
“I’d love to get married here.” Her nose scrunches up slightly. “I don’t really want to plan a wedding, and with my parents gone, it would cast a dark shadow over it anyway. But now, now I feel good, and everyone’s already here.” Her tone rises with joy.
Do I know my girl or what? I knew she wouldn’t want to be bothered with the hassle of planning a wedding.
“Then, dolcezza, we’re getting married now,” I announce and hold up our entwined fingers while our guests rise and toast.
“Salute!” Bless you!
The priest steps onto the podium right in front of us and starts the ceremony, and of course, I have platinum wedding bands in my pocket with our names and the date we met engraved on them.
We haven’t disentangled our hands and stand opposite one another, neither of us looking at the priest, but only at each other.
How this woman could’ve captured my heart and soul so completely, I’ll never understand, but every day, I’m grateful that I found her.
When it’s time to say our vows, I take out the wedding band and slide it onto her ring finger. “Dolcezza, you’re the one person who’s given my restless soul a home. You’ve given me something I never knew I was searching for, you’ve given me solace, and you’re the only person with whom I can just be. When your eyes cry, my heart hurts. When your soul is happy, mine is content. You’re my life, and I promise to love you for the rest of our lives and beyond.”
I almost go ahead and kiss her but stop my movement when I realize she has to say her vows. As I hand over the ring, a tear tracks down from the corner of her eye, and I thumb it away tenderly.
She places the ring on my finger and inhales deeply. “Luca, you are the one I’ve been looking for. You’ve been there for me at my worst and at my best, and your love has put me back together. Your love has healed me. And I love the way you love me. I live for the way you love me, and I promise to love you for the rest of our lives and beyond.” Her amber irises fill with expectation of the wonderful new journey we’re embarking on.
Neither of us is afraid of our all-consuming love anymore. We embrace it wholeheartedly.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
We both smile, and I grab her waist and crush her to me as her fingers weave through my hair.
She angles her head, and I press my lips to hers several times, tipping her back while I whisper, “Mrs. DeMiliano, onorerò quel nome per sempre.” I will honor that name forever.
The end of Luca and Fallon.
For Fallon (#1) on Goodreads
For Luca (#2) on Goodreads
The love story of Adriano and Camilla.
For Adriano (#3) on Goodreads
For Cam (#4) on Goodreads
The love story of Logan and Rosalia.
For Logan (#5) on Goodreads
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Soraya Naomi
First, I have to thank Renee, my friend, my American editor – the one that helps with the Americanisms. I’m incredibly happy I met you.
Second, I want to thank Camilla. Grazie per il tuo aiuto entusiasta ed il tuo input. Thank you for your enthusiastic assistance and input.
Third, thank you to the best beta reader an author could ask for, my mother, Claudia, who has found every plot hole and helped me form and shape this story.
Fourth, the love of my life, Lief, who supports me always in every endeavor. The only man I know who doesn’t mind being with a woman that never cleans and cooks. Only you can handle me, and only I can handle you.
A huge thank you to all the bloggers, reviewers, and my street team who took a chance on this Indie author with For Fallon and continue to support me.
Thank you to you for reading Luca and Fallon’s story.
TRADEMARKS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Smith & Wesson: Smith & Wesson Corp.
Charmed: CBS TV Studios.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Soraya Naomi reads many genres but favors intense, seductive, and provocative novels where the male character loves fiercely, without remorse or boundaries. She has a passionate obsession with the written word and indulges in chocolate pastries much too often. Her debut novel For Fallon (Chicago Syndicate, #1) was released on July 26, 2014. She’s honored that For Fallon won “Best Breakout Novel 2014” in the Novel Grounds Semi Annual Literary Awards.
For more information about the novel and author:
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Amazon Author Page
ABOUT THE NOVEL
For Luca
Copyright © 2014 by Soraya Naomi
Published by Soraya Naomi
Book 2 of Chicago Syndicate series.
First digital edition published October 2014.
Second digital edition published April 2016.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief and correct quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, businesses, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.
Top Cover Photo credit: Sandy Manase.
Bottom Cover Photo credit: David Niblack.
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