The Princess's New Year Wedding (The Princess Brides 1)

She did his bidding and found an adorable headshot of Fausto. He was looking up from the box.

Stefano... I love you, I love you.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

THAT EVENING STEFANO set their table on a blanket by the fireplace with all kinds of treats. They’d bought pizza they could warm up. He opened two bottles of beer for them before settling down to play Scrabble while they ate.

After an afternoon of skiing, they were comfortably tired. Tonight there was a special glow about Lanza in the firelight. This evening she wore her hair long. He wished she always wore it this way, loose and flowing. The flush on her cheek was new. He hoped her heightened color before she’d started drinking the beer meant she loved being with him, too.

For his part, he was happy in a way hard to articulate. He couldn’t think of another place he’d rather be. As for being with a woman, he had all the woman he wanted right here. Day after day his desire for her had been escalating. Though he’d been sexually attracted to other women, he hadn’t felt like this. Being with Lanza was different. She excited him on too many other levels and he worried what her true feelings were for him.

He couldn’t tell if she was ready to be loved into oblivion. But before the week was out, he intended to show and tell her how much he wanted her. Forget being comfortable together. They were beyond that.

But if, heaven forbid, he learned that she only tolerated him and the sex that was expected—which he couldn’t believe—then things would have to change. They would have a long talk about the best way to make her happy. Lanza didn’t deserve to live in a cage if that was how she still felt about their marriage.

“How do you like the beer?” She’d just taken her first sip.

Her enticing mouth smiled at him. “I didn’t think it would be this delicious.”

“You’re a good sport.”

“I’m telling you the truth. I really liked it. What a surprise.”

He studied her out of half-veiled eyes. She was the surprise. Watching her ski today and witness how fast she improved with just a few tips was another exciting revelation to him. Stefano realized his wife could do anything and made the most wonderful companion he could ever have dreamed of.

“Are you tired, Lanza?”

“Pleasantly so. I should have told you before now that you outskied everyone on the piste today. Are you sure you weren’t on the Umbriano ski team in another life?”

He chuckled. “Would it surprise you to know Alberto had that distinction for a season?”

She got to her feet. “I had no idea, but I believe you could outski anyone.”

“You think?” He loved bantering with her.

“I know.”

She started cleaning up, but he didn’t want this night to end. “The dishes will wait.”

“I can tell you’re tired, too. It’s better to do them now before all that beer gets the best of us.”

“Slave driver.”

“I heard that.” Her grin got to him.

He followed her into the kitchen with the items that needed to go in the fridge. While she stood at the sink to load the dishwasher, he wanted her so much he couldn’t resist sliding his arms around her waist. In an instant his plan to go slowly and woo her for a few more days had just gone up in smoke.

Stefano pulled her against him. “Do you have any idea how good you feel? How marvelous you smell?” he murmured against her nape, bringing her closer. “I’ve been wanting to do this all day.” He turned her around and saw the startled look in those heavenly blue eyes. “I need to kiss you again before I go mad.”

Stefano didn’t give her a chance to breathe as he closed his mouth over hers. He was so hungry for her, he was close to devouring her. His lips roved over every beautiful feature before kissing her again and again. When she clung to him like she’d done before, he knew she wanted this. Desire wasn’t something you could hide when it was the real thing.

Unable to stop what was happening, he picked her up in his arms and carried her to one of the couches where he lay back and pulled her down. She trembled as he locked her to him, loving the feel of her hands and mouth that were driving him crazy.

The more they kissed and found ways to bring each other pleasure, the more he discovered he couldn’t assuage his longing.

“Stefano.” She suddenly said his name. To his chagrin, she eased herself away from him before getting to her feet. She was breathing hard.

He sat up. “Have I done something to offend you?”