Taste Me
Page 16
“You did?”
“Yeah, and he agreed. This is very important business.”
Aurora wondered what it was he had to tell her that made it important enough to take the afternoon off. He turned up the radio’s volume, and Italian love songs vibrated through her—body and soul. This was the twin who loved music and liked to sing.
“Do you like to sing, carina?” he shouted over the radio.
She shook her head no. It was useless to try and outshout the music. He didn’t seem to mind the blasting noise or the whipping wind as they sped down the interstate. She gathered her hair into a twisted ponytail and tucked it under her chin. This twin was a convertible fanatic. It was almost November. Most people gave up riding with their ragtops down by the end of September.
“When the stars make you drool like a pasta fazool, that’s amour….” His loud singing left a lot to be desired in tonal quality, but he was having fun. And he was funny.
One of the twins told her he would sing to her when they made love. Hmmm. Eventually, she might figure out which twin was which, and who said or did what. And who was the lover she adored. It was confusing to know she’d been with two men and never had a clue.
But there was one. He was either crazy or had a split personality. The thought urged her to remember how much fun she’d had with each of them, before she found out there were two. Deceit was an awful bitter pill to swallow. Her whole life went down the tubes in one giant flush. Being pregnant was what saved her. The baby was her lifeline to staying happy and moving on from her odd relationship with two identical men.
A total shock at first, the truth was much easier to believe once she’d accepted it. Confronting them and telling them off had given her pleasure, but not as much as when one twin told her he loved her and wanted to marry her. But that turned out to be a lie too. So much water under the bridge. And now? Here she was, about to trust one of the handsome flirts again.
She was in love with the twin who’d visited her last night. Their lovemaking had been passionate and fulfilling. He’d called himself Bryce, but both men had done that in the past. Was this twin a good lover too? Was he the father of her baby? There were too many questions she wanted the answers to, if only for her peace of mind.
****
Brent’s creative driving style got them to Antonio’s in half an hour. She was glad they made it in one piece. What had gotten into him? She’d heard all the Italian love songs sung with gusto she could handle for a long while. He switched off the engine, and she sighed with relief.
“Well, that was fast.” She wiped stray hairs from her face.
“I drive a little crazy sometimes, but you have to use defensive driving in the city or they’ll run you off the road. Just like in Jersey or New York.” He opened the door for her and helped her out of the low-slung car. “Mmm…you smell nice. Lavender?”
“Yes.” What is this charmer twin up to?
He took her elbow and escorted her through the double doors of the restaurant. She noticed a closed sign on the window glass in passing. The place was empty. Why wouldn’t Antonio’s be open today? She could tell he was cooking. Or someone was for sure. The aroma of Italian cuisine filled the restaurant. Her stomach growled in response, right on cue.
“I want to tell you something, before we go any further.” He took both her hands in his and bussed each cheek with a feather-light kiss.
He had her full attention. “Okay.”
The handsome devil grinned, the twins’ brand of sex appeal. He tugged her into a nearby private room and closed the heavy velvet curtains. “What I am about to give you is a gift from me to you, Aurora.”
Oh no, not again. “Brent? I don’t think—”
“Shush…listen to me, carina.” He pressed one finger to her lips, then removed it with a smile, slow and sensual. He looked her right in the eyes. “We never made love, you and I. So if you have been faithful, it is my brother who fathered your baby. Bryce is the man for you, Aurora. I know you love him. I love him too. This is why I am letting you go. Even without our little challenge, he is the winner because he won your heart.”
That was the sweetest thing she had ever heard. Tears trickled down her cheeks, and she didn’t try to stop them. “I don’t know what to say—”
He pressed his fingers to her lips once more and handed her a cloth napkin. “Then say nothing at all.”
She patted her watery eyes. Was it true? She kissed his left cheek, and he smiled. Recalling his earlier gesture, she kissed the other cheek too. He chuckled and winked. This was the condom Bryce. No, it was Brent.
“I will bring you a virgin Moonlight Margarita, for your pleasure.” He paused at the curtains and blew her a kiss.
She laughed and pretended to catch the kiss. “Thank you, Brent Lovella.”
He nodded and left the room, and the curtains fell into place behind him.
A waiter walked in with a large bottle in an ice bucket and placed it on the buffet. He flipped over two long-stemmed crystal glasses from the dozen or so inverted there. Then he stuck an unburned candle in an empty wine bottle and placed it on the table. He lit the candle and lowered the lights, nodding to her as he walked by humming a familiar tune.
Romantic Italian music drifted into the room on the restaurant’s speaker system. She glanced around at all the pretty paintings and photographs of Italy gracing the walls. She loved this special place. With a sigh of pure contentment, she lowered her awkward body onto a chair and closed her eyes to relax.
A soft chuckle disturbed her moment of peace.
Opening her eyes, she saw the curtains shift.
Brent entered the room with the Moonlight Margarita in hand. His radiant smile revealed those wonderful straight teeth and his single dimple. He set the drink in front of her and circled her chair, pulling it out from the table. He paused behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
“What is it you want, mia bella?” His whispered words sent a message straight to her heart.
Not Brent. This was Bryce. Her true fantasy lover.
She caressed his hand with her cheek. “You.”
His breath tickled her neck. She sensed he was pleased with her response. “You will always be faithful to me, Aurora?”
“Always.” She gazed up at him. Candlelight danced in his eyes.
He walked around the chair and pulled her up into his arms. He took her breath away with his touch. “You will be mine forever?”
“If you’ll have me.” She shivered with delight. He was intoxicating.
He chuckled and touched the tip of her nose. “I’ll have you in every way a man can have a woman. I promise to love and protect you, and to pleasure you for the rest of my days.” He pulled a small gold box from his shirt pocket and bent down on one knee. He opened the lid and held it out. “Aurora Daring, will you be my wife?”
She blinked back tears and stared at the diamond solitaire engagement ring. This was not at all how she’d thought her day would go when she woke up with morning sickness. She’d dreaded the long day ahead at the office and hoped Stan would be kind enough to allow her to work from home until her nausea passed.
But this? A marriage proposal?
She was caught by surprise and thrilled for the promise of a future with the only man she’d ever loved. If what Brent said was true, then Bryce was her man. And if Bryce was the lover who had taught her so much about love, she should say yes. But she had to know for sure everything would be okay. No more lies or secrets.
“Did Brent tell you what he told me?”
Be calm, silly heart! This is the moment of truth.
He glanced down, but when he looked up his smile was brilliant. “My brother told me that I am the father of your child, and I would like to make it official. So I will ask again, Aurora Daring. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, my fantasy lover, for the rest of our days?”
Now, that was a proposal she couldn’t refuse. “Yes. Oh, my gosh…yes!”
“I can’t wait to celebrate our union.” Bryce bent to kiss her, a tender touch of his lips.
Aurora melted into his embrace. She was home at last and never, ever wanted to leave.
The velvet curtains pulled back and three violinists strolled into the room, playing the favored Italian love song, That’s Amore! The small room filled with people. Sous chefs, waiters, and family members. All waiting to meet her and congratulate them both.
Antonio broke through the crowd, a big grin on his jovial face. “This will be my new daughter-in-law since I raised my brother’s sons like my own. Welcome to the family, Aurora Daring.” He kissed each of her cheeks and hugged her to his broad chest, smothering anything she might have wanted to say. “She makes the perfetto strawberry pie we will eat at the wedding. And I will give them both my blessing for a long and happy life together, and lots of little bambini for me to love.”
She giggled and stepped back to breathe. “Thank you, Antonio—for everything.”
“Everyone—pick up a glass. I make a toast.” He waited for each person to claim a flute of champagne.
“I believe my uncle loves you as much as I do,” Bryce whispered in her ear.
Raising his champagne glass high, Antonio shouted above the music, “Che bella la vita!”
What a beautiful life!
Aurora smiled and had to agree. She toasted glasses with everyone and sipped her virgin Moonlight Margarita. She wondered when she should tell Bryce the news. The OBGYN doctor had called her from the hospital this morning. He’d told her he suspected multiple babies with her elevated HcG levels. He would run more tests during her next visit, but she should prepare for more than one baby.
Two little Bryces. What have I gotten myself into?
She glanced up at Bryce, and their gazes met in secret conversation. Happiness trickled over her, and she couldn’t wait to get him alone. She tugged at his arm for him to follow.
They snuck out of the room while the musicians played love songs and everyone drank in their honor. The time had come to celebrate on their own.
“I know a special place.” She clasped his hand in hers.
“I will follow you anywhere, Aurora.”
She smiled and led him down the hallway to Antonio’s office. Once inside, she locked the door. She faced him and stripped off her clothes, except for her G-sting panties. “Now, it’s my turn to seduce you.”
“But—”
“Shh…” She pressed her fingertips to his lips.
He kissed her fingers and smiled that sexy, charming smile. “Whatever you want.”
She rubbed her nakedness against him, kissed his jaw and his chin, and last his lips. “Tell me, Bryce Lovella, twin that I love. What is it you want?”
He moaned in complete surrender. “You, amore mio. It has always been you.”
Bella vita!
Beautiful life indeed.
About the Author
Cali considers herself a California Girl and romantic at heart, and a cat magnet who loves all animals and long lazy walks on the beach.
~*~
Visit Cali at
http://christinepoe.com
~*~
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