He was the one to break the kiss. He held her at arm’s length, a slow smile spreading across his face.
‘I forget what I was saying...’ she mumbled, pressing a hand to her swollen lips.
‘You were about to tell me that you’re no good for me because you can’t give me children and I deserve a complete woman. Or something else ridiculous along those lines, I imagine.’
‘Right. Well, now you’ve taken the power out of my argument by pre-empting me.’ She laughed weakly.
‘There was no power there to begin with, because that’s a load of lies and you know it.’
Dara began to argue but he stepped closer, wrapping his arm tighter around her waist.
‘Do I have to kiss you again?’ he warned. ‘I love you for who you are—not how many children you can bear for me. I want to build a life with you, Dara. For us to laugh together and travel together and come home together after a hard day’s work and argue over who does the dishes.’
‘You are far too pampered to ever wash your own dishes.’
‘That’s true.’ He laughed.
‘I’m sorry I almost ruined this. I’m so used to feeling like I’m not enough. The thought that you could ever be content with just me is terrifying. And even more terrifying is that when you call me perfect...I almost start to believe it myself.’
‘I will call you perfect every day until you believe it. Because that’s what you are.’
‘I love you.’ She whispered.
‘Dio, it took you long enough to realise it.’
He laughed into her neck, nuzzling the skin gently.
EPILOGUE
LEO WAITED IMPATIENTLY by the entrance of the castello. The final toasts had just been made in the marquee and the wedding guests were settling in for a night of dancing and celebrations. The June sun had been strong all day, leaving the night air balmy and the sea calm.
It had all gone off without a hitch—Dara had made sure of that. He spied her finally exiting the tent, still not a blonde hair out of place. Seeing her in action today, planning the pivotal wedding of her career, made the past eight months of stress worthwhile.
Portia Palmer had proved a much more demanding bride than the Lucchesi Group could manage, so when the castello sale had been cancelled Umberto had been more than happy to pass the actress on to a more capable wedding planner.
Dara had risen to the challenge with gusto, and once word had got out that she was Portia’s wedding planner the requests had starting pouring in. She already had the next year booked solid, and the summer so far had included events for politicians, television personalities and minor British royalty. She was a sensation.
But, as much as their careers had kept them busy, they still found time for each other. This weekend marked the start of a two-week vacation he had been planning for weeks. It began tonight.
‘There you are.’ She breezed up to him, planting a kiss on his lips. ‘You disappeared after dinner.’
‘I have a surprise. Can I steal you away now, or are you still on headset duty?’
She touched the small black device that was clipped to her earlobe. ‘I’m officially off the clock. The team have it from here.’
‘Excellent.’ He unclipped the earpiece and unceremoniously threw it over her shoulder.
‘Leo! That thing cost money, you know. My company’s not exactly hitting the billion-euro mark just yet.’
He laughed, pulling her by the hand inside the castle and up to the master suite.
‘You know, if you were that eager to take me to bed you should have just asked.’ She smiled seductively, pulling at his tie.
‘Not yet—first the surprise.’
‘So mysterious...’ she mused, following him out onto the balcony.
On cue, the sky was filled with an eruption of colour. Bursts of red and blue reflected in the bay.
‘Oh, Leo, it’s beautiful.’ She mused. ‘Portia will be so pleased. What a wonderful way to end the night.’
‘I wanted to make this magical for you. This moment. It’s been something I’ve been waiting to do for quite a while now.’
Dara gasped as he pulled out a small box from his pocket, knowing what was inside.
‘You say I’m impulsive, but I bought this ring the day I went to Paris. I knew even then.’
He opened the box to reveal a spectacular vintage sapphire, handpicked by himself. Something with history and class.
‘You were so sure I would say yes?’ she teased.
‘Well, I suppose I could always take it back...’ He closed the box, putting it back in his pocket.
Dara placed one hand on her hip. ‘You see, I was planning on asking you to marry me. You’ve totally ruined the surprise now.’ She tried not to smile, but failed, grinning widely.
Leo placed the ring on her left finger—a perfect fit.
‘I can’t wait to call you my husband. How would you like to elope to somewhere exotic?’
‘No big white wedding? I thought you would want to plan a festival of extravagance for your own.’
Dara shook her head, gazing up at him with tears in her eyes. ‘It doesn’t matter where or when, as long as I become your wife. All I will ever want is right here in front of me.’
He leaned down and captured her mouth in a kiss that promised for ever. His perfect Dara...his home.
* * * * *
Amanda Cinelli was raised in a wonderfully large Irish/Italian family in the suburbs of Dublin, Ireland. Her love of romance was inspired after ‘borrowing’ one of her mother’s beloved Harlequin Mills & Boon novels at the age of twelve. A penchant for writing soon developed as a necessary outlet for her wildly overactive imagination.
Now married with a daughter of her own, she splits her time between changing nappies, studying psychology and writing love stories.
If you enjoyed the So You Think You Can Write 2014 winner’s story, the magic of the competition doesn’t end here!
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With his country in turmoil, Kazim must prove his ability to rule and provide an heir. Amber has always threatened his tightly held control, yet to save his nation—and his marriage—Kazim must make the ultimate claim...on his wife!
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ISBN-13: 9781460383766
Resisting the Sicilian Playboy
Copyright © 2015 by Amanda Cinelli
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Resisting the Sicilian Playboy (Winner of 2014 So You Think You Can Write) Page 14