“I got you this” he spoke softly, handing her the hand-wrapped notebook. “I saw it and knew I had to get it for you. It’s one of only one hundred ever made, and it’s all made completely by hand”.
“Oh, Luca, my god it’s incredible” she said, slowly thumbing through the pages and running her fingers across each surface as though committing each and every detail to memory.
“The sketches on these pages” he explaining, flicking through to one of the drawings, “were made using antique printing plates that are hundreds of years old. They are Venetian figures of royalty in their finest clothings”.
“This is amazing, I cannot believe you found something so… perfectly me” she whispered. Settling back into the comfort of her chair and inspecting each page, sighing with amazement at each page and miniscule detail.
“Oh, and Im, this is for you” Luca spoke, as he knelt before her with the engagement ring he’d purchased in Milan. He waited for her eye contact and as she slowly processed what was happening he continued—“I’ve loved you since we first met, you’ve changed my life and me in ways I’d never imagined possible. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
“Yes! Of course Luca” she squealed, throwing her arms around him.
“Congratulazioni!” shouted Paolo, “Si sposano!” he called to all who passed by as Luca and Imogen basked in shouts of congratulations from well-wishers in surrounding gondolas and streets.
“Oh and Im this is for you” she whispered playfully, elbowing him in the ribs and teasing him lovingly for his very unromantic approach.
“I know, I know, not my finest moment” he smiled blushing, “I didn’t quite know how else to get your attention”.
“Well you sure you got it, now and always Luca”.
“Tonight was so amazing, Luca” Imogen glowed as they returned back to their hotel arm in arm. “I am sooo full, the food was incredible”.
“Oh god, me too, time to take my beautiful bride-to-be to bed and finally relax” he said, gently fingering the engagement ring that sat beautifully against her hand.
“Relax?”
“I bought this in Milan” he said, rubbing her hand gently, “once I landed I’d realized I couldn’t bear to ever be apart from you again. I knew then that I would propose; I went to the same jeweler as my nonno did before he proposed to nonna”.
“Oh, Luca that’s so sweet” she smiled.
“Aah, Mr Capello, sir your brother called for you this evening” the concierge interrupted as they walked into the reception area of the hotel.
“Phoned?” Luca asked curiously, suddenly feeling a spike of concern. He hadn’t told Roman or Dominic where they were, he hadn’t thought to.
“No, sir, he was here—I believe he asked after you but our receptionist did not disclose any details”
“There must be a mistake, my brothers are in Australia” Luca corrected.
“Oh sir, I am very sorry, I must be mistaken. Perhaps it was another guest—my apologies, please sir” he stuttered.
“No harm done, not to worry” Luca laughed, leading Imogen to their room and making a mental note to check with Roman in the morning to let him know of their happy news.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“Rise and shine Imogen” Luca whispered, pulling Imogen to her feet. “I’ve got a big day of exploring planned for us, and you’ve got a new notebook to fill”
“You forgot the most important thing” she said softly.
“Ooh and what’s that?”
“It’s my first day as your fiancée; that’s the best reason I’ve ever had to bounce out of bed!”
“So, breakfast in San Marco Square?” he asked.
“Sounds good; I’m feeling a little worse for wear after that Champagne last night though so I need a shower first though”
“Oooh, a hangover, now there’s something unusual for you Im” he joked, “How about I go grab a couple of espressos to start the day?”
“That would be amazing” she said, sliding out of her nightie and treating him to a slow, naked streak across the room and into the bathroom.
“Oh, Im, that was not fair” he moaned as she closed the door. “I’ll be back soon”
Luca crossed beneath the clock tower and into the square having already found a café serving impressive coffee the day before.
“Due caffè espresso, prego” Two espresso, please
“Pronto, signore” replied the meek mannered girl at the counter. As she began making the coffees, Luca looked around the café, taking in photos of the historic city, some decades old and yellow with age and some newer photos showing the progress of the city over the years.
“Signore—il caffè è pronto” Sir, your coffee is ready came the call from the barista.
As Luca paid and readied to walk out he saw a familiar looking face round a corner and disappear into the morning crowd. Mentally scrolling through the people he’d met in the last few days, Luca convinced himself it was their waiter from the night before and set back to the hotel.
“Im, coffee is here” he called from the front door.
“I’m in the bedroom” she answered, “Hey, what’re we doing today?”
“Well, we’ll be lucky to leave the room if you’re going to continue sitting around half naked” he smiled cheekily.
“I was thinking we could head over to Burano; I’d like to look at some lace”
“Really?” he asked, passing her the takeaway coffee.
"I’d like my wedding gown to be made from Burano lace; a reminder of Venice forever” she smiled.
“God, you make me happy Im. Let’s get some food first, then we can head out and do the three island tour—Murano, Torcello, and Burano. What’d you think?”
“It’s a plan” she smiled, rising slowly and pulling on a soft cotton sundress that he knew would drive him crazy until he could pull it back off her.
“Benvenuto, signore and signora, ti piacerebbe un menu?” Welcome, would you like a menu?
“Si” Luca replied to the waitress before reaching over and grabbing Imogen’s hand. “Ma’s going to be so excited when we tell her the news”
“I know, I kinda can’t wait to get back now. I don’t know what you were thinking but I wondered if we could have a summer wedding”
“As in summer, this year?” Luca clarified.
“Yes, as in in a couple of months” she confirmed.
“That’s what I like to see; eager to be my wife, huh?” Luca joked.
“You know I am” she smiled, before noticing the distant look in his eyes.
“Hey, that’s him again” Luca whispered, “Im, don’t look now, but in a second turn to your right and tell me if you’ve seen that guy before—the one standing at the counter reading the newspaper. Look, now” he instructed.
Imogen turned to look as the man made their eye contact, set down his newspaper and walked toward them. Instinctively, Luca stood up and blocked his access to Imogen.
“You. You’ve been following me” Luca accused, loudly.
“Luca Capello, right? I’m Mattea Capello—your brother”.
####
More in The Capello Brothers series:
Draw On My Heart (Roman Capello)
After being thrust into the role of protector at an early age, Roman Capello has spent his entire adult life building a future for his mother and two younger brothers.
With a chain of successful tattoo studios, Roman is finally getting the recognition he deserves—industry acclaim as a freehand tattooist, significant media exposure and enough business to justify adding a fifth studio to his portfolio.
When a mysterious woman, as fragile as she is seductive, enters his life; Roman is forced to acknowledge his past, appreciate his present, and picture her in his future.
But what is her painful secret and why does she have Roman in her sights?
www.jaimeebrooker.com.au
Command My Heart (Dominic Capello)
Dominic Capell
o has never had a problem capturing the attention of women—his rugged Italian looks and bad-boy attitude have always worked to his advantage. "Work hard, play harder" had always been his motto, and that attitude was more than evident in his bedroom.
So, when Dominic's brother, Roman signs over the deed to a new tattoo studio to him, Dominic's life is turned upside down. With business booming almost immediately, Dominic soon finds himself overwhelmed and under-staffed.
When creative, opinionated, and strong-willed Inta starts working for Dominic, it's not long before her hot-headed, feisty approach sends Dominic into overdrive. Finally a woman willing to rise to the challenge of keeping Dom's interest.
Dominic barely has a chance to get excited before Inta confesses her attraction to a fellow colleague. Realising he's more interested than he first realised, staff and business become the least of his problems. Dominic wants Inta, and he will succeed in commanding her heart.
www.jaimeebrooker.com.au
Connect with the Author:
J'aimee Brooker website
Facebook
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Table of Contents
Introduction
About 'Train My Heart'
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Excerpt: Draw On My Heart
Excerpt: Command My Heart
Connect with the Author
Capello Brothers 3 Train My Heart Page 8