Page 98 of Twilight Longings

“It’s a surprise.”

She frowned when he wrapped his arm around her waist.

“It’s too far to drive,” he said, answering her unspoken question.

“So, we’re going by Air Saintcrow?”

He grinned. “Do you remember the first time you said that?”

“Of course. You were going to take me to England but we didn’t make it.”

“Not that time,” he said. “But we went there on our honeymoon, remember?”

“Is that where we’re going tonight?”

He shook his head, and the next thing she knew, they were in Italy. Moments later, they were at a lovely Italian restaurant sitting at an outside table overlooking the ocean. Kadie ordered a salad and lasagna. Rylan ordered wine, of course.

“It’s so beautiful here,” Kadie murmured, looking out at the sea.

“You’re beautiful.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

“I know so.”

He sat back when her dinner came, content to sip his wine while she ate.

“I wish you could taste this,” she said. “It’s the very best lasagna I’ve ever had.”

“Happy to hear it. I’m sure they’ll bring you more if you like.”

“Oh, no. I’m saving room for cannoli.”

“I think I ate too much,” Kadie said, as they left the restaurant.

Saintcrow grunted softly. “Three cannoli? Might be one too many.”

“Maybe,” she agreed, taking his hand. “But who knows when I’ll get to eat chocolate cannoli in Italy again?”

Saintcrow gave her hand a squeeze. “Ready to go home, love?”

“Yes.”

Wrapping her in his arms, he kissed her. When she opened her eyes, they were home.

“Why don’t you start a fire in the fireplace?” she suggested. “I’m going down to get ready for bed.”

“Whatever you want, Kadie, darlin’.”

With a secretive smile, she sashayed out of the room.

Saintcrow stared after her for a moment, thinking he was the luckiest man in the world.

Removing his jacket, he tossed it over the back of a chair, slipped out of his shirt, toed off his boots, removed his socks and his belt. A thought brought the hearth to life, another turned off all the lights in the room and lit the candles on the mantel, filling the room with a soft, golden glow.

He turned at the sound of her footsteps, felt his desire spring instantly to life when she padded toward him clad in a flowing white nightgown that left nothing to the imagination. He inhaled the scent of her hair, her skin, her blood. His woman. His life.

He pulled her into his embrace and kissed her, a long, lingering kiss filled with love and passion and longing. Still holding her close, he sank down on the floor, his hands worshipping her as he whispered that he loved her more than his life, would always love her.