Page 55

The bronzed olive tone of his skin, prominent brow, dark, long lashes, high cheekbones, wide set, plump lips, and the scruff of his beard beginning poking through. A curl has come loose and forward on his forehead, and I have to fight the urge to sweep it to the side. Yes, my husband is a handsome brute. An image of Parker dances in the back of my brain, and for a split second, I feelguiltyfor being attracted to Maksim.
Even though I'm celibate, I still have eyes. I am a woman, after all. I'd have to be blind to not notice that he's a beautiful man.
His eyelids flutter, and when dark eyes meet mine, his brows pin together. "Have we landed?" His voice is scratchy with an undertone of a sleepy purr.
Fuck me, there go my pink parts.
I shake my head slowly, unable to tear my eyes away. Just as I open my mouth, the flight attendant comes out to verify we'll be landing in less than twenty minutes, and that the security team is already waiting for us on the tarmac.
He clears his throat, taking his hand off me, and I immediately feel the loss of his warmth as he sits up and scrubs a hand down his face. "Sorry. You were twitching in your sleep."
"Thank you," I reply softly.
And then hegrunts, ruining the moment, gets up, takes the blanket from me, and heads to the back of the plane to get ready.
I don’t know why I thought anything would have changed between the hours we just spent with each other.
Stupid, stupid Sabrina… so pretty in a sparkly gown, still so full of hope… Don’t you know hopeis a silent killer?
It's like a block party when we arrive via limousine at his father's villa in the small village outside of Verona. There are tables and so many people waving at us, and children line the streets like we're a parade.
"Maksim, what is this?"
"I don’t know. I’m assuming the wives organized this, since they always do, but this... is ajoyousoccasion. This entire village is nothing but cousins and family of the families." He says, staring out the tinted window.
I didn't have time to prepare myself.
My panic spikes and I try to settle myself; my gloves are already wrinkled with how much I've twisted my fingers around them. Suddenly, my corset is too tight, and the limousine is too small, pulsing around me.
"Maksim," I gulp the air around me down, tense and unrelenting, and it feels like I'm swallowing nails.
He puts his large hands on mine, and I can't help but shudder at the warmth of them. How are they so warm? I need... I need Parker.
I close my eyes and think of him. The way his lips felt, how his voice was so hoarse when he said, "It's showtime..."
I can do this.
I, Sabrina Giordano, wife of notorious Maksim Giordano, am so in love with him. He is my everything. My husband. He adores me. I'm as smitten with him as he is with me. He's everything to me and vice versa. He loves my cupcakes, apparently. I am going to enjoy my stay here. I know everyone's names. He is my husband.Myhusband.
I can feel the beat of my heart slow to a snail's pace. The world outside is nothing but white noise.
I am gracious and elegant, and they will find me eloquent and lovely and worthy of him. I am Maksim Giordano's wife. I love my husband, and he loves me…
The limousine stops as the switch in my mind flips.
I can stand his touches. I can meet new people. I can stand my husband's touch. I like the way my husband’s hands feel on me. I love his touches.
"Are you ready?"
I open my eyes and smile, "Of course, darling. How do I look?"
Dark eyes skim over me, and I feel the heat of his stare like a laser, as he simply replies, "Still as beautiful as the day I first saw you."
The compliment... does something to me. Surely that has to be a lie. I'mnothinglike the women he's been photographed with – thin, Italian bombshells.
I am very pale… and very English.
The door opens as Maksim steps out and leans back inside to take my hand and help me out.