Tuscan Heat

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  Katherine nodded, tossing her husband a look. “It is.”

  Senior met his daughter’s stare. “Your brother was the only one who asked me for my mother’s ring.”

  Katherine nodded. “Maitlyn had it cleaned and a larger diamond put in the setting for him.”

  Senior and Franco shook hands. “Congratulations, sir!”

  “And to you, sir!”

  Both men hugged Katherine.

  Donovan’s brothers shook his hand and slapped him on his back, each offering congratulations and advice. He hugged Gianna to his side, both overwhelmed by all the excitement. Gianna suddenly leaned in to whisper in his ear.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, beaming with joy.

  She nodded, kissing his lips.

  Donovan waved his hand for everyone’s attention. “I just want to say thank you to everyone,” he said, his gaze sweeping over each of them. “Thank you all for being here. For supporting me. For all the love you’ve shown to me and Gianna,” he said, pausing for a quick moment before speaking again. “Now, we’re going to challenge you.”

  Gianna grinned, biting down on her bottom lip. “Carina, Maitlyn, all you girls. Since everyone is here, do you think you all can help us pull off a wedding by this Sunday?”

  Maitlyn and Carina both jumped with excitement. Kamaya threw her arms around Tarah, who squealed with joy. Phaedra, Camryn, Dahlia and Vanessa all chimed in with glee. Everyone was chattering with enthusiasm.

  Katherine laughed. “Baby girl, you don’t have to worry about a thing! You’re going to get the wedding of your dreams!”

  Chapter 15

  Donovan woke to Gianna standing in the center of the bed jumping up and down with excitement. Her early-morning exuberance brought a smile to his face as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes with both hands.

  “Good morning, sleepyhead!”

  He shifted his body upward in the bed, resting his back against the headboard. “Good morning,” he said with a yawn. “Why are you up? It’s too early to be so happy!”

  She laughed as she continued to bounce up and down. “It’s not early. It’s almost eight o’clock. And I’m always happy. I’m in love, didn’t you hear?”

  He reached for her hand and pulled her down against him. He embraced her in a deep bear hug. “I hope he’s a really great guy because you, beautiful lady, deserve a really great guy.”

  Gianna grinned. “My guy is the greatest guy in the whole wide world,” she said as she kissed his cheek.

  Donovan laughed. “So, what’s on your agenda today?”

  “I’m going to go find my wedding dress today.”

  His brow suddenly furrowed in confusion. “Why did I think that’s what you disappeared to do yesterday?”

  Gianna shrugged, Donovan missing the look that crossed her face. “No. I had some errands to run but not for my dress.”

  He still looked confused. “I could have sworn that’s what Carina told me you two were headed out to do.”

  She smiled, that nervous twitch making her eye jump as she tried to brush it off. “Maybe that’s what she thought your sister had planned for us, but we had other things to do first. So we’re going today and I’m nervous.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m scared that I won’t be able to find the perfect dress off the rack that will be ready by Sunday.”

  “Don’t be scared. You’ll find the perfect dress, and you’ll be even more beautiful in it.”

  She kissed him again. “What are you going to do today?”

  Donovan hesitated for a moment. “I think I’m going to go to the university this morning. I just want to show my face and get some things ready for when I go back to teaching next week.”

  “Do you think you should go alone?”

  “I think I’ll be fine. If any of my family members want to come, I’ll enjoy showing them the school.” He changed the subject. “How are all the wedding plans going?”

  “Your sisters are amazing! I can’t believe what they’ve done so far. Maitlyn has thought of everything!”

  “Maitlyn has contacts all around the world. If you want something done, she is definitely your go-to girl.”

  “She and Carina have become good friends, and she’s been giving her some advice about renting the winery more for private functions and increasing that revenue stream. Carina’s determined to make us the wedding destination of destination weddings!”

  Donovan laughed. “That sounds like my sister.”

  “Well, all of our paperwork is done, and my father spoke to the priest and he’s on board, so we are good to go as long as I find a dress.”

  He kissed that sweet spot beneath her chin. “Then you need to find a dress!”

  Gianna shifted against him, straddling his body. Donovan closed his eyes as she began to rock her pelvis back and forth, savoring the sensation of his member rising between her legs. She ground herself against him, over and over again. Her touch was heated and inviting, and he felt himself lengthen and swell beneath her caresses.

  Reaching out both hands, he slipped them beneath the top she wore, grabbing her breasts. The soft tissue filled his hands nicely as he gently teased her nipples until they were hard like rock candy and protruded against the fabric of her shirt. Her skin was heated and perspiration suddenly dampened his palms. Gianna continued to taunt his member, the lengthy protrusion like a steel rod between them.

  “Do you like this?” she whispered as she reached a hand between his legs to stroke him.

  “Don’t tease me, Gianna,” he said as he pulled at her nightclothes. He was suddenly anxious to settle himself deep inside her. “I’ve got to have me some!”

  She giggled softly as she reached for a condom out of the nightstand drawer. “I’m very serious about wanting some, too, so you better hurry. Your sisters will be here in an hour!”

  * * *

  After Gianna and the girls were gone, Donovan headed toward the school. At the last minute he’d decided against asking any of his family to join him, wanting some time to himself to think. Feeling like the stars had aligned perfectly, he sang to himself, the lyrics to a love song ringing through the air.

  Gianna was going to be his wife. The reality of that made his heart skip. As he thought of the vows they would soon take, he hoped he could capture with words the wealth of emotion that had been flooding his spirit on a daily basis.

  He wanted to be the best husband he could be. He’d promised Franco that his daughter would want for nothing, and Donovan had meant every word. Protecting and caring for Gianna had become a mission, and it would be a lifelong journey he couldn’t wait to explore. She was his, and he felt immensely blessed.

  He was so absorbed in thoughts of her and him together that he wasn’t paying any attention to the other cars parked in the employee spaces at the school. Inside, he waved hello, stopping to have a quick conversation with Dr. Northway before heading to his office. Everyone was excited to welcome him back and disappointed that he wasn’t going to officially be back for another few days.

  His desk was stacked with papers that needed his attention, and as he flipped casually through them he couldn’t begin to fathom how he was going to get them graded before his wedding. As he organized what he needed to do and how he needed to do it, there was a knock on his door.

  He looked up just as the door opened. “Yes?”

  One of the young men from his linear equations class poked his head in. “Dr. Boudreaux, buongiorno!”

  “Buongiorno, Marco! How are you?”

  “Bene grazie, signor. I wanted to welcome you back.”

  Donovan smiled. “I appreciate that, Marco.”

  “I will see you in class today, no?”

  “Not today,” Donovan said with a shake of his head. “I will be h
ere on Monday.”

  The boy nodded. “Very good, signor! I will see you then.”

  For the next hour Donovan entertained students and instructors alike, all stopping to express their happiness with his return and their regrets for everything he’d been put through. Realizing that he was going to get little accomplished, he packed up the stacks of paperwork and dropped them into his attaché case, then headed to his car.

  Sophie was leaning against his car, her arms crossed over her chest. Her car was parked beside his, the backseat loaded with boxes and books from her office. She stood upright as he approached, and it wasn’t until he was standing before her that he noticed her black eye and swollen face. His eyes widened.

  “Sophie, what happened to you?”

  She shook her head, and when she went to speak he realized her jaw was wired shut, her teeth clenched tightly together. “I just...wanted...to apologize...to you...for my part...in what happened.” The words came slowly, barely audible.

  Donovan nodded. “I appreciate that.”

  She rolled her eyes as she took a breath. “I hear...you are...getting...married.”

  “I am,” he said, suddenly curious that word of their wedding had traveled so quickly.

  “Good...luck...with that!” she said as she tossed up a hand. She turned to get into her vehicle.

  Donovan called after her.

  “Yes?”

  “May I ask how you broke your jaw?”

  The woman paused as she thought back to her last encounter with Alessandra, her prized student turning on her. She’d dodged the first punch the young girl had thrown, but the second had caught her in just the right spot. Sophie’s eyes were angry slits as she met his stare. “Yes,” she said. “I...ran into...the wrong...woman.”

  * * *

  Donovan narrowed his gaze on Gianna’s face. Carina sat beside him. Both women looked as if they’d been caught red-handed. His tone was scolding as he shared the details of his encounter with Sophie Mugabe.

  “That’s a shame!” Carina said, her voice quivering ever so slightly.

  Across the room Franco shook his head, he and Graham grinning broadly.

  Donovan had to ask. “Did you break that woman’s jaw, Gianna?”

  Gianna tossed up her hands. “Why do you think that I had something to do with what happened to her?”

  Donovan tilted his head slightly. “Did you break her jaw, Carina?”

  “It wasn’t me!”

  “So where did you two disappear to the other day when I thought you were dress shopping?” He glanced from Gianna to Carina and back.

  The two sisters exchanged a look. Neither said a word.

  Donovan shook his head at Gianna. “That right hook of yours again, huh?”

  Gianna scoffed. “Why are you assuming I busted that woman in her face? Not that she didn’t deserve it for what she put you through, but still...”

  Tarah laughed. “I’m so glad it’s not me this time. I used to always get blamed for everything!”

  Guy laughed. “That’s because usually it’s always you doing something you shouldn’t be doing!”

  Tarah rolled her eyes. “Well, I’m not unhappy that woman got her jaw broke. She spread lies about Donovan, and if I’d seen her I might have popped her, too!”

  Katherine laughed. “So would I!” she exclaimed.

  The men all shook their heads. Donovan pulled Gianna into a hug, and she allowed herself to melt into the embrace. She tilted her head to stare up at him.

  “Are you mad?” she asked.

  He smiled and shook his head. “Just don’t do it again,” he said.

  She sighed in frustration. “I’m telling you, I didn’t do a thing!”

  Carina laughed. “Did I forget to tell you that her nickname used to be Little Mike, for Mike Tyson!”

  Franco tapped his chest as he tossed Donovan a wink. “She got that from me!”

  * * *

  The twins were enjoying a moment of quiet where it was just the two of them, alone together. Carina had pinned her sister’s hair in an updo, and was delighting in how very beautiful she looked. They glanced at each other and smiled.

  “Are you still mad at me?” Carina said softly, moving to sit by Gianna’s side.

  Gianna laughed. “How could I ever be mad at you, Sissy?”

  “I just don’t want Donovan thinking you attacked that woman. We both know there’s no way you could have done something like that. I mean, you do have a perfect alibi. You were with me.”

  “He doesn’t. And even if he did, once he finds out the truth, it will all be good.”

  Carina smiled. She pressed a hand over her abdomen, tears filling her eyes. “I’m having a baby, Sissy! Can you believe it? Me? With a baby!”

  Gianna laughed as she gave her sister a warm hug. “You’re going to be a wonderful mother! And I’m blessed to have been there at the doctor with you when you found out.” She squeezed Carina’s hands. “Now, when are you going to tell Graham?”

  “After the wedding. I didn’t want my joy to overshadow your joy. This is your moment, and I want it to be the very best day of your whole life.”

  Gianna shook her head. “Tell your husband, Sissy. We have so much to celebrate, and with all this love around us there’s no reason for both of us not to share our joys with everybody.”

  The two women embraced again, pulling back to wipe each other’s tears.

  “Don’t cry,” Carina admonished. “You’re going to ruin your makeup.”

  “Donovan doesn’t care if I wear makeup!”

  “So do I get a pass now for the way I fixed you and Donovan up? Am I totally forgiven?”

  Gianna nodded. “Completely. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be this happy!”

  There was a sudden knock on the door. Both women turned to stare just as Maitlyn peeked her head inside the room. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but it’s time to go get you married. Are you ready to get into your gown?”

  The two sisters connected gazes one last time. Gianna took a deep breath and held it for a quick minute as Carina squeezed her hand.

  Carina waved all of the Boudreaux women into the room. “She’s ready!”

  * * *

  Donovan was nervous as he stood at the front of the little country chapel, his brothers by his side. They were all dressed in designer, blue silk suits, white dress shirts and printed navy blue ties with thin orange and white stripes.

  Flowers in every shade of the rainbow decorated the small space, their sweet scent billowing through the warm air. A trio of violins played sweetly, the soft lilt of music dancing with the breeze that blew through the open windows and doors.

  Father Cesare Balducci, the Martelli family’s priest, stood on Donovan’s other side. He was a tall and slender man who looked regal in his robes as he held a leather-bound Bible in his hands.

  Father Balducci tapped Donovan’s arm. “We are ready to begin,” he said softly as he tilted his head toward the back of the church.

  The violin tune suddenly shifted, the prelude to the “Bridal Chorus” announcing Gianna’s arrival. Family and friends and people from the village all turned at the same time to watch the procession down the aisle.

  Tarah led the way, Kamaya, Katrina, Maitlyn and Carina following. They wore strapless, tea-length gowns that bore a soft floral print. Each was stunning, with French braids complementing their faces. Even Carina’s short locks had been braided with extensions.

  Donovan was grinning from ear to ear, clenching his fists together tightly. He took a deep breath and then a second as Carina and his sisters all greeted him with a smile.

  Then, there she was! Gianna was a vision to behold, an apparition of magnanimous proportions. Donovan was in awe of just how exquisite she was. Her
gown was everything she had wanted it to be. It was a strapless, slim A-line silhouette with a corset closure. It had a sophisticated overlay of vintage lace and featured an asymmetrical satin panel that was gathered and wrapped across her waistline to create a figure-flattering effect. A simple satin bow rested gently at the side of her front hip, accentuating her wisp of a waist. As she walked down the aisle in his direction, Donovan cried, tears falling easily over his cheeks.

  The ceremony attested to their faith and love for each other. With their family serving as witnesses, they vowed to love and honor each other. Gianna’s tears came when Donovan recited the vows he’d written.

  “Gianna, since the first day I laid eyes on you, you have made me feel more complete, more alive, and you have shown me the true meaning of happiness. I am a better man with you by my side than I can ever be without you. So today, in front of you, and those we love most, I take you to be my partner, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know, excited to discover the woman you will become.

  “I promise to respect you as my equal, and to recognize that your interests, desires and needs are as important as my own. I promise to laugh with you when times are good. To endure with you when they are bad. I will grow old with you, happily! I promise to fall more in love with you each and every day. Today, tomorrow, and every day I give you my hand, my heart and my love without condition, completely and forever.”

  Gianna giggled like a girl as he slipped her wedding band on her finger. She swiped the tears from her cheek and cleared her voice as the priest gestured for her to speak. Gianna had balked at writing her own vows and had only agreed after much prodding. Her vows, short, sweet and uniquely Gianna, brought joy and laughter to Donovan’s heart.

  “Donovan Boudreaux, I...choose...you!” She winked at him as she placed a gold band on his ring finger, then leaned down to kiss the back of his hand.

  With the exchange of rings, Father Balducci pronounced them husband and wife, and the room erupted in cheers. Without giving it a thought, Donovan swept her off her feet, lifting her into his arms. He kissed her mouth as Gianna wrapped her arms around his neck. Then he carried her back down the aisle and out the church doors, their family following behind them.