“Enrico—we have to talk.”
“I knew my mother would hurt you. I’m so sorry.”
She shook her head. “You’re the one I’m worried about. But I understand she can’t help but be disappointed over what has happened.”
“Except that she knew I never loved Valentina or planned to marry her. When she realizes how happy we are, she’ll come around.”
“But the protocol in your country dictates the banns be read four months prior to the marriage.”
He grinned. “How do you know that?”
“Because I looked it up after the concorso in France.”
“We both had marriage on our minds even then.”
She nodded. “You told me how strict she is.”
“You handled her beautifully. But this is our marriage, not hers.” He started the car that had been packed with her bags and they left the palatial estate. “Have I thanked you for being so wonderful to my father?”
“The poor dear man. There needs to be a cure for Alzheimer’s,” she said in a tremulous voice. “I feel so sorry for your mother, too. I’ve heard that the spouse feels like he or she has already lost their life’s partner. She must have been grieving for a long time.”
“I know she has.” His voice grated.
“Your father is very handsome. Now I know where you get your looks. When we were at the concorso, I noticed that you and your sisters resemble your lovely mother, too. One day I hope she’ll be able to forget the pain.”
“I guarantee it. But right now we need to talk about a honeymoon. We’ll do anything you want.”
Her heart raced. “You mean you haven’t already planned it?”
“Even if I have, I’m prepared to make alterations. I’ll do anything for you. Tell me what you’d love to do most.”
“Could we go camping and hiking in the mountains and at a lake so I can catch fish?”
He let out a whoop of delight.
“I take it you’ve already set everything up.”
“I knew there was a reason why I wanted to marry you.”
She couldn’t take her eyes off him. “The first time I saw you ride your horse, I was only ten, but I knew I wanted to get to know you. Young Prince Enrico had a presence even then. No other boy ever interested me after that.”
“Not even Arnaud?”
“You know he didn’t. My parents pressured me the way your mother has pressured you about Valentina. When I believed I’d never see you again, I decided to say yes to him in order to have children one day. Children bring happiness.”
He reached for her hand. “We’re going to have more happiness than you can imagine, bellissima.”
* * *
Enrico’s favorite waterfall came into view, eliciting a satisfying cry from his exquisite bride of six hours.
But this time he drove down a semi-hidden road that led to the pool below, where he’d planned a surprise for her that had been in his mind for years. She’d wanted to camp out and she was going to get her wish.
Yesterday he’d asked Giovanni to pitch a black-and-tan-striped Moorish tent on the sandbar. With two small windows for light and ventilation, it had been set up to offer Donetta the rich luxury she deserved. His cousin had gathered helpers who’d turned the interior into a sumptuous bedroom with carpets and a bathroom with every amenity for two lovers.
Enrico had sent their luggage on ahead. A small table and chairs had been placed in one end. Giovanni had promised him coolers of food and a lighted oil lamp to greet them by the time they arrived that night.
During the day they could sunbathe all they wanted. At night they would moon-bathe to their hearts’ content, but he intended to make love to his wife in the privacy of their own boudoir for hour upon hour.
“Enrico—” she gasped when they reached their destination. “Oh, that tent—the pool and waterfall—it’s absolutely enchanting with the moon shining down, like something out of Arabian Nights.”
That was the idea. With his heart beating wildly, he got out of the Land Rover and walked around to her side. After opening her door, he swept her in his arms and carried her inside their tent, which would be their home away from home for as long as they wanted.
Another cry escaped her lips as she looked around the semi-dark interior in startled disbelief. Her eyes glowed that amazing green he loved so much. “You’ve created paradise for us.”
“I love you, Donetta.”
She stared at him strangely. “What are you saying?”
“I mean I really love you.”
“But I thought—”
“Did you honestly think our marriage would be in name only?” he fired. “The only reason I said it was because I was afraid if I told you how I really felt, you might feel I wasn’t telling the truth after five years’ absence.
“But that’s history now. No more thinking, amata. I love you and want you. After our campout, I know you want me, too.”
“I’ve never been able to hide anything from you. Oh, Enrico—you don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this, dying inside because I feared it would never happen. Love me, darling, and never stop.”
She didn’t need to worry about that. He carried her to the huge bed with its silk coverings and cushions, then followed her down. It was heaven to be able to plunge his hands into her silvery gold hair and kiss every inch of her.
Their mouths took over, exhibiting the fire and hunger that had been building since her arrival in Vallefiore for the concorso. No longer needing to hold back, they began the age-old ritual of bringing each other unimaginable pleasure.
Throughout the night and into the morning they experienced pure rapture, but now she was asleep with their legs tangled. Donetta was the most giving, loving woman a man could ask for. And she was so gorgeous in every way it hurt to look at her.
Even at ten years of age, he’d felt her pull on him. Every year after that she had grown more beautiful and haunted his dreams. There’d been too many years of separation. They would still be apart if she hadn’t found the courage to fly back to him. He marveled that she’d been so strong.
It was that strength of character he’d admired so much after meeting her years ago. Now she was his wife and their long wait was finally over. The knowledge that she loved him filled him with a surfeit of emotion. He couldn’t help pulling her closer, causing her eyes to open.
“Good morning, mia sposa.”
She smiled. “How long have you been awake?”
He traced the singing line of her mouth with his finger. “Long enough to want to make love to you all over again.”
“I was just dreaming about you. I need you to kiss me or I won’t be able to bear it.”
On a groan of pleasure he fulfilled her wishes as they tried to satisfy their insatiable desire for each other. Enrico hadn’t thought it possible to live on love, but his wedding night with Donetta had transformed his vision of what it was like to be married to the right woman.
An hour later she eased out of his arms and reached for the robe she’d put at the side of the bed. “I’m going to look in the coolers and serve you breakfast in bed.”
“I don’t need food.”
“Oh, yes, you do. Stay right there. I love that picture of you tangled in the sheets like my own drop-dead gorgeous Ali Pasha of Vallefiore. I’m your captive slave, eager to grant you your slightest desire. After watching you at brunch, I happen to know you love golden honeydew melon.”
He watched her open the cooler and pull one out. After she cut it, she brought two big slices on a plate for them to eat. Enrico took a bite of one and couldn’t stop. “It’s almost as delicious as you are.”
“I’ll be right back.” When she returned, she’d brought croissants filled with ham and cheese, plus two bottles of blood orange juice.
They ate and drank their fill befor
e he moved the plates to the floor. With a wicked smile he said, “Get back in bed with me.”
“You mean you’re not satisfied yet?” she teased.
“Are you, Your Highness?”
She removed her robe and slid in bed next to him. “I guess you’ll have to find out.”
Enrico caught her to him, so madly in love with her he didn’t know how he’d existed this long without her. It wasn’t until much later when he told her he wanted to go swimming with her. “I brought a bikini for you, but whether you wear it or not is your choice.” He grinned.
“I think with the amount of security guarding us, I’ll play it safe. As for you...” She rolled her eyes and slipped out of bed to get ready.
He couldn’t take his eyes off her. “Both our suits are in the silver suitcase, cara.”
She opened it and tossed him the black trunks before she disappeared behind the curtain that hid the makeshift bathroom. He took advantage of the time to put them on.
When she emerged in the black bikini he’d chosen for her, he let out a wolf whistle that drove her straight out of the tent, laughing. He was right behind her and welcomed the hot sun before running into the pool of water to catch up with her. But she was fast and an excellent swimmer. Her athleticism made her exciting to be with.
They played at the base of the waterfall for an hour. When they were both worn out with water fights, he pulled her from the pool and they lay down on the sand to soak up the sun. In time it got hot enough he started to worry about her.
“I think we should go in or you’re going to get a sunburn. We can’t have that. Come on.” He helped her to her feet and led her into the water so they could wash off the sand.
She looped her arms around his neck. “I didn’t know I could be this happy.”
“Tell me about it.” Enrico was so enamored of her he picked her up and carried her back to the tent. They couldn’t remove their suits fast enough before falling into bed in a conflagration of need.
Darkness had fallen before Enrico had mercy on her and brought her dinner in bed. Once they’d eaten their fill of meat pies prepared in the palace kitchen, they lay on their sides feeding each other grapes and almonds until they were gone.
She smiled into his eyes. “You’ve spoiled me so terribly I’ve become a lovesick wanton and I’m afraid you’ll get tired of me.”
He growled against her throat. “If you can think that, then you’re in for the surprise of your life.” She’d fast become his addiction. He started to make love to her with an almost primitive need that led to another delirious night of ecstasy for both of them.
CHAPTER EIGHT
WHEN LIGHT ENTERED the tent, Donetta awakened first and lay there studying her painfully handsome husband. Between Enrico’s black hair and olive skin, he looked like a god. This morning he had a five o’clock shadow. She rubbed her cheek against his jaw, adoring the feel of it.
He was such a manly man. As she’d always thought, he was a dishy hunk. There weren’t enough adjectives to describe what his looks did to her and the way he made her feel. That first miraculous kiss he’d given her when she was sixteen had been a precursor to what had happened to her during the night.
She let out a sigh of sheer exultation and stretched, unaware Enrico had opened his eyes and was watching her intently. His lips curved upward. “What was that little sound about, tesora?”
“You’re beholding a contented wife in every sense of the word.”
“Only contented?” he asked in his deep voice.
“If I told you the whole truth, it would make you blush.”
“This is getting better and better.” In the next breath he gave her a long, deep kiss. When he finally lifted his head, he said, “Before I do anything else, I’m going to shave.”
“You don’t have to. I’ve been lying here enjoying the look and feel of your beard.”
“I adore you for saying that, but you’ll like me better without it. When I’ve finished, shall we go fishing this morning?”
She blinked. “You mean there are fish in the pool?”
“I make sure our lakes and streams are filled. We’ll catch ourselves some mouthwatering trout and cook them on the grill outside the tent. Anglers prefer them.”
“You’re kidding—trout? I can’t wait!”
The laughter she loved poured out of him as he got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. She scurried over to her suitcase for a pair of white shorts and a sleeveless print blouse. By the time Enrico emerged clean-shaven and dressed in shorts, she was ready.
He found some fishing poles and a tackle box, and they headed outside into a world of brilliant, hot sunshine. “I’ll get the grill heating up first. Then we’ll walk halfway around the pool, where the fish congregate in a deep hole.”
The next hour turned into a world of enchantment for Donetta. Trying to imitate his expertise as a superior fly fisherman, she managed to catch a couple of ten-inchers. Enrico, of course, brought in several that were a foot long each.
“Few people come to this pool to fish, so they’ve grown large.”
“This is so much fun I can’t stand it!”
Thrilled with their catch, she helped him clean them on the shore. He found a stick to carry them and they walked back around to the grill. The divine smell of trout cooking filled the air. Once the fish were ready, they had a feast inside the tent along with more melon, rolls and fresh coffee, brewed from a coffee maker that Giovanni had thoughtfully provided.
“Never in my life have I been so happy, or enjoyed a meal more than this, Enrico.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Thank you, darling, for this wonderful honeymoon.”
“It’s a long way from over, cara. We’ve only just begun. Maybe tomorrow, if I can stand to take you away from our bed for a few hours, we’ll hike above the waterfall. You’ll see sights you won’t believe. I want you to learn to love my country.”
She got up and slid her arms around his shoulders, leaning over to kiss the side of his face. “It’s mine, too, now, and I already do.”
He pulled her onto his lap and grew sober for a moment. “I’m sorry my mother treated you the way she did.”
“Please don’t worry about it. Don’t you think I understand? If anything, I worry you were hurt when she told you she wouldn’t allow the coronation to take place.”
“I’m not hurt about that, Donetta. My father is still alive. As long as he draws breath, he’s still the king. But that doesn’t change my plan for you and me to rule equally. I don’t need to be crowned to put my wishes into action. The truth is, I’m going to need your help even more than I had anticipated.”
Donetta could tell he meant it. “You know I want to help you any way I can. What has changed?”
He hugged her to him. “I’ll tell you everything, but not while we’re on our honeymoon. This time for us is so precious. I don’t want to spend one moment on anything but our love. Now that we’ve eaten, what would you like to do?”
“I’m afraid to tell you.” She slid off his lap to clean up their breakfast dishes.
Enrico got up and slid his arms around her waist from behind. “Don’t ever be afraid to tell me you want to go back to bed. I’ve been waiting for our breakfast to be over so I could ravage you.”
She wheeled around. “Is that the truth?”
He put her over his shoulder in a fireman’s lift and took her to bed. After he covered her body possessively, he kissed her neck. “Do you need any more proof?”
Over the next week Enrico showed her what it meant to be loved while he took her to his favorite parts of the island, and they hiked and slept out under the stars.
The next day they drove to the Ionian Sea to swim and dive. But as they left a grotto for a morning snack, Enrico’s phone rang. The sound filled Donetta with dread.
She sat frozen on the sand while he answere
d it. By the lines that appeared around his compelling mouth, she knew he’d received bad news.
“That was Giovanni,” he explained after hanging up. “He says my father fell and is in bed with a broken arm. The doctor has been there and he’s doing fine, but my mother is beside herself.”
“Of course she is.”
He nodded gravely. “My parents need me, so I’m afraid we have to go back when it’s the last thing I want to do.”
Their honeymoon had been cut short, but she didn’t dare complain. The pain of knowing they had to leave was excruciating. Donetta was an ungrateful wretch when she knew her husband had taken off more time than he should have.
They drove back to the waterfall to pack up and leave the tent that had become their love nest. But while she was looking for a pair of shorts, he pulled her down on the bed.
“You’re not going anywhere yet,” he said in a fierce tone.
* * *
After kissing her with abandon, Enrico made love to her one more time. But she knew they needed to leave. Donetta draped her arms around his neck. “You know the only reason I can bear to leave here is because I’m going home to live with you.”
“Tell me about it.”
They carried their belongings to the car. His black eyes impaled her. “Being able to have you in my life forever is all I ever wanted. Loving you as I do, to wake up every day in your arms from now on makes me feel reborn.”
The Land Rover reached the road that led to Saracene. Donetta looked back at the waterfall one more time. One memory after another swamped her with emotions that made it hard to breathe. By the way Enrico grasped her hand and never let go, she knew he was experiencing them, too.
It was strange coming back to civilization. They’d been in a world of inexpressible pleasure. Entering the suburbs of the city seemed an intrusion on her whole psyche.
“It’s hard for me, too.” They were so in tune with each other’s thoughts that Enrico had no trouble reading hers. “I promise we’re going to get away often, amore mio.”
The Prince's Forbidden Bride (The Princess Brides Book 2) Page 10