How To Propose To A Princess (The Princess Brides 3)

“As if I could.”

The divine sensation of lying in his arms for the next two hours and knowing his possession sent her into ecstasy. Fausta had been able to only imagine what it would be like to know her husband’s possession. But her imagination hadn’t given her a clue of what really went on with this incredible man, who made her feel loved and immortal.

They groaned in breathless protest when the house phone rang. Nico didn’t pick up. They both knew it was Enzo reminding them they needed to leave for Domodossola if Nico wanted to keep his afternoon appointments at the hospital.

“We need to get up,” she whispered against his lips, but she couldn’t bear to move out of his arms.

“Not yet, squisita.” His mouth kissed every feature of her face as a prelude to making love all over again. But when the phone rang a second time, they both knew what it meant.

Fausta slid out of bed, provoking another groan from him, and hurried to the bathroom to shower and dress. Nico followed suit before engulfing her in one long kiss in the doorway before they left the bedroom. “This will have to last until tonight.”

Together they flew down the staircase to the salon where their two favorite people were seated. While Nico removed the ring and handed it back to Enzo, Fausta put the diamond ring back in her pocket. They all hugged.

“You’ll never know what you’ve done for us. This is the happiest day of our lives,” Fausta told them.

Pippa beamed. “To see you two this deliriously in love is pure joy for us. I have a gift for you. Open it when you get home.”

“You shouldn’t have.”

“When you open it, you won’t feel that way.”

Fausta kissed her again and put the small sealed sack in her purse. “I’m embarrassed we didn’t get to say goodbye to Father Pietro. Please tell him how much we appreciated his doing the service for us. We’ll send him a note and be in touch with you soon.”

After signing all the marriage documents, they rushed out to the car. Enzo brought Nico the doctor bag and saw them off, smiling at both of them. “You lucky people. I envy you. Let the adventure begin.”

After starting the car and driving out of the courtyard, Nico reached for her hand. “We’re on an adventure all right,” he declared. “I’ll never forget this day or the fact that Enzo let you put his wedding ring on my finger.”

“He loves you like a son.”

She heard him suck in his breath. “He and Pippa made it possible for us to become man and wife today. Are you happy, Signora Barsotti?”

“I think you know the answer to that. Do you have any idea how much I love the sound of my new name?” she cried emotionally. “I wish—”

“I know,” he broke in. “The last thing I wanted to do was leave the castello. We need weeks and weeks to be alone together. I’m in more agony now than ever before and would never suggest putting a two hour time limit on the wedding night.”

“No.” She squeezed his hand hard.

His car ate up the miles as they sped back to Domodossola. He darted her a glance. “We need all night tonight. After work I’ll come straight to the apartment.”

“You’ll probably be late seeing patients. I’ll need a key so I can bring some of my things over early and have dinner waiting.”

“I’m not sure I’ll be able to eat. One sight of you and everything else will go out of my head except to take you in my arms.”

“I don’t honestly know how I’m going to wait long enough for you to come home.”

“Tell me about it.”

As he drove over the speed limit, she looked at her watch. They were nearing the city. “If you’re supposed to be at the hospital at one, then don’t drive me to the palace. That’ll take too much time. I’ll go inside with you and call for the limo. It’ll look more natural since I’ve often gone there to meet with Mia.”

“Are you going to tell her about us?”

“I won’t say anything to anyone until you and I feel it’s right.”

“Your parents must be told first.”

“Agreed. We’ll talk about it tonight.”

Before long he pulled into the physicians’ parking lot and parked in his spot. Fausta got out on her own and walked inside the hospital behind him. Once inside the doors, he pulled a key off his key chain and handed it to her.