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“Tell me anyway,” he urged.

With a twist of her lips she began, “He’s always had a precise vision for his life. Timelines and targets for careerachievements and personal milestones. If something has unraveled—business or money—yes. He would hide the facts and go to any extreme to fix it. Even marry me.”

Rhett didn’t care for the way she tacked that last bit on as if she were a consolation prize. “Good thing that option is off the table, Mrs. Ellington.” He was rewarded with a big smile. “Let me share our thoughts with the research team and we can get back to sleep.”

She stayed, reading over his shoulder as he replied to the email. She didn’t even protest when he requested they continue to monitor his movements and any changes in the banking.

He almost added a request for a protection detail on Trina, but decided it would likely upset her. Besides, he had no intention of letting her out of his sight until Gallo returned to Italy.

Chapter Seventeen

With the sunstreaming through the sheer curtains at the bedroom window, Trina stretched like a content cat. She was alone in the bed, but it still smelled like Rhett. Hearing the shower running, she indulged herself, burying her nose in his pillow.

She could do this every morning now, and what a marvel that was, she thought with a smile.

She was surprised she’d been able to get back to sleep last night, all things considered. She was married. She’d successfully navigated an intimate experience with her husband. And she’d been able to help him respond to a security concern without being plagued by worry after.

It would be easy to give Rhett all the credit, but he’d never accept it.

Truly, it would be a disservice to herself to make such a claim. She hadn’t gotten here by being shy. No, she’d defied her parents and overcome a ton of emotional baggage. She hoped she could make it last in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

She took another few minutes, basking in the complimentshe’d showered on her, especially the one about her strength. It wasn’t something she dwelled on, but maybe she should.

“Hey. Good morning, sunshine.”

She gathered the sheet close and sat up to find Rhett standing there, fresh from the shower, wearing nothing more than a towel wrapped around his lean waist. Her mouth went dry and her heart tripped all over itself, banging against her ribs. “Hi,” she squeaked.

She wasn’t prepared for moments like this, in the bright light of day.

He walked closer and now she recognized the heat blazing in his eyes. “Can I kiss you?”

“Of course.” She met him halfway and forgot everything else. The man positively leveled her with his tenderness.

When he broke the kiss, it was with a groan that sounded suspiciously like regret. “Room service will be delivered in half an hour. Is that enough time?”

“Of course.” She sounded like a broken record. “We’re taking the charter flight back to Brookwell?”

He winked. “Of course.”

She snorted and shooed him out of her way. But he caught her lightly in a hug and nuzzled her neck before she dashed off to clean up for the day. She was a wife and enjoying soaking up her husband’s affection.

This was not the woman she thought she could ever be. And she was happier than ever about it.

When she joined Rhett at the kitchen, he had everything laid out. “Courtesy of Ilsa,” he explained. “Also, the flight crew is ready whenever we are.”

Trina wrinkled her nose. “Is it terrible that I don’t want to go back yet?”

“We could stay.” He set an espresso in front of her. “I sounded too eager, didn’t I?”

“Just a bit.” She laughed it off. “If you need to stay, I can go back alone.”

“No.” He closed his eyes. “No, as in, that’s not the issue.” He smiled and made a point of filling a coffee cup. He considered making it about “selling their story” but he was over that. “I didn’t think I would miss having a real honeymoon,” he confessed. “In the meantime, I want to be with you. If that’s okay.”

“Oh.” She felt heat climbing into her face. “That’s more than okay,” she managed. “We’ll have to start making real honeymoon plans. I can get more time away from the Inn, with ample notice.”

“Great,” he said with a smile.

Over a hearty breakfast they talked about possible honeymoon spots. It was hard to find a location in Europe neither of them had visited, so they took a different approach, discussing warm or cold climate. Outdoor activities versus fine dining and shows. And whether they should make time to go see her parents in Italy.