SOPHIA
The wedding is so beautiful. Massimo and Danny obviously have a great future ahead of them if this is what they’re looking at. I take another sip of wine, and my eyes flick to Roman. He’s laughing with Gunner, and something about how free he looks here stirs me.
He’s usually wound so tight. I think I can count how many times I’ve seen him laugh on one hand. And Roman in a suit is … mouthwatering. I have to fan my face a little. He’s in his element, completely relaxed, and it does so much to me that I feel like I can’t think straight.
Roman catches me watching and winks at me, sending shivers dancing across my skin. He glances to the dance floor, and I nod. Standing up, he moves to take my hand. His calloused palm slides against mine as he takes me to the dance floor.
The music is slow, sensual and when he holds me close, it’s like an electric current humming through my whole body. Roman rubs my back. “How are you doing, Bambina?”
“Always worried about me, even when I’m completely safe?”
He shrugs. Roman spins me, pulls me back against him, and leaves my lungs behind. I shake my head, trying to keep it clear, focus on the moment. “Is this how you guys live? Going around the world whenever it suits you?”
“Not always.” His fingers trail down my back. “Your dad’s planning made our lives very different from what it could have been.”
I nod, thinking of how nervous Holden is. Roman seems immune to that, even though I know all the guys saw intense combat. Roman lifts my chin. His dark eyes catch the lights, and it looks like there are stars living there.
He takes a slow breath. “I’d planned to go into the private sector. I felt like I was only good with guns back then. Thought I could do better protecting people at home than I could overseas. It was a losing battle to try to bring everyone home safe.”
“I’m sorry.” I don’t know what else to say.
He shakes his head and gives me a small smile. “It’s the path I chose, Sophia. I don’t regret it. It brought me some amazing experiences and men that are … more than friends.”
I nod. Roman kisses my cheek. “No more serious talk. This should be fun.”
“I’m having fun. I just wish I could understand everyone. I feel like some … ignorant American.”
He chuckles and twirls me half way, so his hips cradle mine as we look at other couples. The people next to us talk, then laugh. Roman’s lips brush my ear, and my breath catches in my throat.
“They are surprised that the married couple is still here. Apparently, they like to disappear together often.” He murmurs.
We turn again, and he motions to three women giggling and talking loudly. “They are trying to decide who they want to leave with. They’re daring each other to cut in.”
“To cut in where?” I ask.
Roman turns me around, and his eyes pierce me so deeply. “Between us. I’m scary, don’t you know.”
I look him over and arch an eyebrow. “Scary isn’t the word I’d use.”
“Good.” He kisses my temple swiftly. “If you did, I’d have to be gentle.”
I laugh softly and see him smile from the corner of my eyes. When the song ends, we go back to the table, and Gunner claps mockingly. “You two should be on Dancing with the Stars.”
“You only say that because you don’t know how to move your feet.” Roman smiles wide.
A woman comes over and starts talking quickly with Roman. He nods a few times, and I catch him say “English” when he motions at us. She puts a hand to her chest. “I’m so sorry! I’m rude. How are you all enjoying the wedding?”
“It’s beautiful! I’ve never seen anything so romantic.” I gush.
She looks around the guys, then at me. “I know these ones. Who are you, cara mia?”
“Sophia Lane. We all work together.” I say quickly.
It must be too quickly because Gunner suppresses a laugh, pretending it’s a cough. Nick smiles. “Sophia is Miles’ daughter. He couldn’t be here – someone has to run the company.”
“Of course. Of course!” She waves that away. “Sophia, would you like more wine? I have some from a little vineyard.”
I nod and join her. She laughs, and one side of her mouth curls into a smile. “Just work, friends?”
I blink at her and try to hide my cheeks that I know are about to turn bright red. “Well, I’m new to the company. They’re trying to help me work my way up.”
“Sure.” She winks at me and motions for me to finish my glass. Then she pours me a white wine. She looks over at our table. “And that’s all?”
“That’s all. I’ve never been out of the country, so … Oh. I’m so rude. What’s your name?”
“Isabella.” She offers her hand and kisses my cheek twice.
“And how do you know the groom … or bride?”
That gets her focused on Massimo and the Agosti family instead. I swear she has their history down pat. Before she can turn any more questions on me about the guys since I know she’s not close to done, someone else catches her attention.
She squeezes my hand and says she hopes I have fun at the wedding with another wink before heading off to someone else. I rub my forehead and lean against the table, taking a bigger drink of wine.
I’m not ashamed of what I’ve done with the guys, separately and together. I like them all. I can’t help myself. Who could? I want to get to know them all better. And what better place than Italy? But the questions are … awkward. I don’t know how to start to explain anything that we have going on.
Hell, I can’t think of anywhere in the world that would support a girl having multiple guys come in and out of her room without having some kind of rudeness attached. I smile as I look at our table.
They’re all having fun without work stress or anything else to hold them back. Even Holden is smiling when he’s not tracking people walking close or glancing at the exits. Nick is relaxed, Gunner, the life of the party, and Roman’s more talkative than I’ve ever seen him.
Focus on the moment, Sophie, I remind myself.
Worrying will only make me lose track of where I am and distract me from making the most of every moment we have here.
I head back to the table and take my seat. Nick leans over casually. “Everything okay? You seem stressed.”
“It’s a lot to take in. That’s all.” I shrug.
“Well, it’s about to be more. The new married couple is coming our way.” He rubs my knee under the table, and I bite my nail in response. Nick winks. “Don’t worry. We’re plenty good at talking in circles. That’s how businesses operate.”
I smile and rub his hand until our fingers lace together. He gives my knee another squeeze, then turns his attention to Danny and Massimo. Danny is a vision in white, and the dress is so perfectly tailored that I can’t imagine her in anything else.
Massimo looks around the circle and grins. “So, I think we missed out on the full story when you all arrived.”