A Taste of Romance
Page 19
“Oh?”
“I live with my mama, and I have a little brother that drives me crazy. I’ve been known to be stubborn.”
“That’s not baggage, it’s family.” She smiled. “Duly noted. I have baggage too. I love to gossip. I’m going to be getting updates from family and friends all the time. I don’t know what it is, but I love being in the know.”
“Duly noted.” He laughed. “I’d be willing to visit Philadelphia with you often as often as you like.”
“I’m glad you said that. Trevor and Theresa are getting married in a few months, and I’m in the wedding.”
“Philadelphia here I come.”
“I’ll have to go back and take care of a few things, but I am so excited about this. About us.”
“Me too.” He stroked her hair. “You have made me the happiest man in the world.”
He leaned in to kiss her, but she stopped him. “Wait. Let’s make it official by the Kissing Fountain.” She grasped his hand and took him over to the fountain. It looked so pretty at night. “OK. Go.”
“Come vuoi.” He took her face into his hands. “As you wish.”
He kissed her again. It was slow, sensual, and deliberate, but it felt different this time. The declaration of love had changed the taste of his lips against hers. They’d kissed and had been passionate lovers. Now they were a couple who’d just invested in a future.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Marco looked at his watch again. They’d need to leave in twenty minutes if they were going to be on time for their scheduled departure. This weekend was Trevor and Theresa’s wedding, and Trina had to be there for the rehearsal as well as the other festivities that had been planned. She also wanted to rehearse, since she’d be singing the wedding song in the church.
It had been three months since they’d committed to each other and each day had been wonderful. She’d been doing shows in small venues and being interviewed as her album continued to climb the charts. She was in high demand, and she took it all in stride. Lana asked again if she would join her world tour with her, but Trina declined, and Kate was fine with her decision. She was still feeling her way around the whole music industry thing, but she now had people around her who supported her and her interests. A more attentive manager and a new action plan had helped relieve a lot of the anxiety she’d felt before. And it didn’t hurt that Kate and the gang kept a close eye on her. He was so proud of her. What was most important was that she was happy and had the kind of career she wanted.
Meanwhile, things were going great at the winery. He was committed to supporting his brother’s cooking show. Mama had a blast filming with Matteo as they shared a family recipe that had been passed down for generations. At the end of the segment, they all sat down and enjoyed the meal. But they were also enjoying the new peace and happiness in the family. The biggest change was that Trina moved in, just like they’d planned after she took care of some things back home. He had Grandma Reed and Charisma to thank for encouraging her to follow her heart to him. The Reed family said they’d always be there for her, no matter where she lived.
After a long sit down with his mama, he was pleasantly surprised at how enthusiastic she’d been about Trina moving in.
“Non vedo l’ora che arrivino i bambini!” Mama Paloma clapped in delight, telling him she was getting closer to having those grandbabies she wanted.
The arrangement worked out well. Mama had her space downstairs, and he and Trina were comfortable upstairs. He felt blessed that the woman he loved understood how much he loved his mother. Trina knew he wanted his family there, and she was happy about her relationship with his mother. As the two women continued to get closer, it was easy to see that his mother wanted someone to bond with in the house. Someone to carry on the Di Giovanni name. He and Trina both agreed after things settled down with their busy lives, they would have another serious chat about marriage and babies.
“Have you seen my glasses?” Mama Paloma asked as she entered the living room.
“I last saw them by the kitchen sink.”
“I’ll get my glasses, and then I’m ready,” she said and headed into the living room.
“Marco,” Trina called as she leaned over the upstairs railing. “Have you seen the bracelet you bought me last week? I want to show it off at the wedding.”
“It’s in the safe. Do you remember the combination?”
“Yes. Be right down.”
He shook his head. This was a daily occurrence. The women in his life flitting around the house, gathering things, losing things and plenty of chatter in between. But he loved the energy in the house.
“OK,” Trina said as she descended the stairs.
“All set,” Mama Paloma said as she entered the kitchen.
He looked at his watch. “Lucky for us, we’re taking a private plane.”
“Stop it.” Trina affectionately swatted at his arm.
“Did you remember the wedding gift?”
“Yes.” She looked over at one of the suitcases stacked by the wall. “It’s in one of my bags.”
He heard a ping on his cell phone. It was the car service alerting him that they were five minutes away. “The driver will be here in five.”
“I forgot my rosary. I’ll be right back.” Mama Paloma went to her bedroom.
“Do you remember last month when you took us both to the opera?” Trina smiled.
“OK. That was much worse. The two of you must have changed outfits three times.” He laughed.
“Did you remember to tell Ingrid we’d be gone for a week?”
“Yes.” He heard the service car pull up in front of the house. “Mama, the car is here.”
“Found it!” Mama Paloma came back waving the rosary. “Let’s roll!”
He opened the front door for the driver, who came in and started taking the bags to the car. Mama was giving the man orders in Italian and followed him out. When Trina walked by, he stopped her.
“Did I tell you how much I love you today?”
“Yes. But I like hearing it again.” She put her arms around his waist.
“Sono così felice che ci siamo incontrati. Non vedo l’ora di passare il resto della mia vita con te.”
“‘I am happy that we met, and I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you,’” she translated with a smile.
“I knew the first day we met you understood every word I said.”
She giggled. “I would never let something silly like a language barrier come between true love.”
“Ti amo, Katrina.” He kissed her.
“Ti amo anch’io, Marco.”
“Let’s go have a good time with your family.”
Marco set the alarm and closed the door. He looked forward to a week enjoying the festivities with the Reeds. Weddings were always a joyous occasion, and he couldn’t wait until the day they all gathered at the vineyard to celebrate when he and Katrina exchanged vows.
He’d savor that moment like a fine wine.
~ About the Author ~
Rhonda Laurel is a contemporary interracial/multicultural romance writer whose two great loves are writing and landscape photography. She uses both as a vehicle to convey the complexity of the human spirit and the beauty of the world around her. The multi-published author has written many works since her debut in 2012, most notably The Blake Boys series. The extensive series chronicles the Blake family as they live and find love on the Twelve Horseshoes Ranch.
Other works include: Ebb Tide, Shutter, California Bored and Tourism and Memories of You. She also writes the Hollywood themed series: Hollywood Heat, which features Star Crossed, Hollywood Rush, Double Exposure and the upcoming Vendetta Inc. And the All or Nothing Series (A Blake Boys world companion series): Hard Target, Second Chance at Love, Family Matters, Love at Last, Covert Affairs, Restless Heart, Hot Pursuit, and A Taste of Romance.
The author is happily building her backlist.
Discover more about Rhonda Laurel here
http://
www.rhondalaurel.com
https://www.facebook.com/authorrhondalaurel
https://www.twitter.com/rhondalaurel
~ Also by Rhonda Laurel ~
Try more of the All or Nothing series!
Hot Pursuit
All or Nothing Book Seven
Rhonda Laurel
Passion and danger are never far from this quarterback and private investigator...
Life is never dull for quarterback Riley Sloane, especially when he has Parker Carson for a girlfriend. Parker has just thrown herself into danger yet again during a high-speed car chase. Now he's looking to slow her down enough to have a serious talk about their future together. But when the reckless private detective becomes a contestant on a popular obstacle course television show, their future shifts to the back burner as intrigue and mishaps begin to plague the show. He'll do whatever it takes to keep the woman he loves safe as Parker tries to uncover the dangerous game someone is playing with the contestants. Now he just needs to find the perfect moment to persuade her to take their love across the finish line...
Parker auditioned for a regional spot on an obstacle course contest as a lark—but when she wins big, she's suddenly thrust into the televised world of competitive sports. She needs a distraction after wrecking her beloved car in a car chase. Unfortunately, she gets more than she bargains for. Not only is Riley hinting at big changes in their future, her fellow competitors start getting injured in bizarre accidents during the show. As Parker continues to rise up the ranks, the danger shifts to her. Parker must figure out who's engaging in sabotage to win the competition before someone gets killed. But the most dangerous thing might be opening her heart and taking the next step with Riley…
Buy Hot Pursuit here
https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rhonda_Laurel_Hot_Pursuit?id=eJ5TDwAAQBAJ
Restless Heart
All or Nothing Book 7
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Can the right woman tame this cowboy's restless heart?
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After moving to the sleepy town of Harper's Grove, reporter Savannah Brewster's first story is covering a fire and a dramatic rescue by a local rancher. At first she isn't happy about doing a puff piece about a small-town heartthrob, but at least the story will take her mind off her recent breakup with her boyfriend. She isn't prepared for her instant reaction to Austin, the hunky, hot commodity who's just as handsome and mysterious as his reputation suggests. Too bad he's a closed book and not exactly known for serious relationships. She's determined to get the scoop no matter how much he wants to dodge the spotlight. There are moments when he's open with her, and the sparks fly as she sees a different side to the man. But as things heat up, she finds out she has a rival for Austin's affections who just might end her career for good...
Buy Restless Heart here
https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rhonda_Laurel_Restless_Heart?id=GeFHDwAAQBAJ
Covert Affairs
All or Nothing Book Five
Rhonda Laurel
His toughest mission will be opening his heart to love.
When covert agent Trevor Reed gets a distress call about a missing girl while he's in deep cover, he's forced to make a hard choice. Does he save the hostage or stick to his mission of infiltrating the dangerous weapon smugglers. When Trevor makes a play to save the girl, he ends up wounded. Headed home to recover, he ends up back in Philadelphia, face-to-face with Theresa, his high school sweetheart. He's watched her over the years, remaining at arm's length because of the dangerous nature of his job, but he can no longer continue to love her from afar. Trevor's next assignment may be his toughest yet: admitting he never should've left her all those years ago.
Theresa Rodriguez can't believe her eyes when Trevor Reed reappears in her life, wounded and as mysterious as ever. For years, her high school sweetheart has been very secretive about the work that takes him all over the globe. No matter how he makes her feel when she's with him, she's reluctant to risk getting close to him again. Not after the last time he disappeared from her life. But she notices something different about him now, and the desire between them is flaring hotter than ever. Is she willing to risk being hurt again by the only man she's ever loved?
Buy Covert Affairs here
https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rhonda_Laurel_Covert_Affairs?id=y8I9DwAAQBAJ
Love at Last
All or Nothing Book Four
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Can two restless hearts make beautiful music together?
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Buy Love at Last here
https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rhonda_Laurel_Love_at_Last?id=Cro1DwAAQBAJ
Family Matters
All or Nothing Book Three
Rhonda Laurel
Can a hot fling turn into the romance of a lifetime?
Logan Holbrook, the rich and handsome co-owner of the Texas Tomcats, has learned from experience that long-term relationships are not for him. He loves to spend time with beautiful women, but one night is usually enough before he moves to the next conquest. When he meets the enchanting Megan Shaw during the grand opening of the Blake Hotel, he's immediately captivated by the strong-willed and sexy woman. Their chemistry is explosive, and it's no surprise they soon end up in bed. The next morning, he wakes to find her gone. But unlike his usual dalliances, he can't get her off his mind. For the first time in his life, he's thinking about breaking his own rules…
When Megan goes to Texas to visit her little sister Cassidy and her family, she attends the grand opening of the Blake family's latest venture, the Blake Hotel. Things heat up quickly when she meets hunky, sexy Logan Holbrook. He's just what she needs to get her mind off her troubles, and he has the same no-strings policy. She doesn't need messy in her life. She wants to have some simple fun without it leading to something serious. But even as she works to deepen her relationship with Cassidy, things are getting dangerously close to complicated with her edgy corporate cowboy…<
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Buy Family Matters here
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Hard Target
All of Nothing Book One
Rhonda Laurel
Winning can be dangerous when the stakes are high.
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Parker Carson isn't thrilled about her latest assignment. She has to babysit the obnoxious quarterback Riley Sloane! So what if he's handsome, charming, and a great football player? He's also a conceited bad boy pain-in-the-neck who loves to push her buttons. But while protecting him, she begins to see the side of him he keeps hidden from the world. Only now the unknown threat to the quarterback is not nearly as dangerous as her growing feelings for Riley…
Buy Hard Target here
https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rhonda_Laurel_Hard_Target?id=F0DODQAAQBAJ