Page 71 of Check Mate

David begins laughing too, then stops and pulls away slightly. “I forgot to put the ring on your finger.”

“Oh yeah!” I splay my left hand out in front of him and he slides the familiar antique ring onto my finger. “How on earth did you get my Abuela’s ring?”

He arches an eyebrow. “I asked your father for your hand and he gave me the ring. If you don’t want this one, we can pick out a different one.”

“No, this ring is perfect.” I look at my hand, admiring the sparkly round diamond set in between two smaller ones, surrounded by an intricate gold band. “Wait, you talked to my father?”

“Of course I did,” he says in a slightly offended tone, like asking my father’s permission was a given. “I had to promise to attend Mass with the family whenever we’re in Kansas, but he gave his blessing.”

Picturing Papa and David chatting and my father bargaining with him to come to Mass puts a huge grin on my face.

Chapter thirty

David

Early the following morning, I wake up from the small pullout sofa in Isa’s room. It was too late when I arrived to bother booking a separate room, and I was also too exhausted. Isa is still sleeping peacefully in the bed, surrounded by white fluffy pillows and blankets. She’s asleep on her back with her hair fanned out on the pillow behind her. Her left hand is resting against her clavicle, and the engagement ring sparkles in the morning sunlight coming in through the large window. Mo is curled up on her feet.

Call me old-fashioned, but I didn’t want to sleep in the same bed until we’re married… and if she agrees with my plan, we’ll be able to share a bed soon enough. However, laying down next to her for a moment couldn’t hurt.

Careful not to wake her, I slide under the covers next to her and wrap an arm around her waist. Oh yes, I could definitely get used to waking up like this every morning. Mo purrs loudly and moves from her feet to mine.

“Traitor,” she whispers to the beast at the foot of the bed. He ignores her and snuggles in between my legs.

Her eyes flicker open and she leans into my side. “Good morning, future husband,” she says, her face now right in front of mine. A sleepy smile appears on her lovely face and I smile back.

“Your breath smells horrible,” I say back, in the sexiest voice I can muster without laughing.

She slaps me on the chest and rolls away from me. I scoot closer and pull her close again. She doesn’t bother trying to escape. I savor the moment of her in my arms and rest my chin on her shoulder.

“So… we should talk about our wedding,” I say, knowing it will get her attention. “I’d like to get married soon.”

She unwraps my arms from her waist and sits up, leaning back against the tufted headboard. “Like… how soon?”

“How about tomorrow?”

Isa laughs for a moment before realizing I’m not joking. She studies my serious expression for a moment before her eyebrows shoot up. “You can’t be serious. Our families wouldn’t even be able to come.”

I grimace, but it quickly forms into a smile. “Actually, our families are flying to Venice tomorrow.” I sit up and look earnestly into my eyes. “I flew them out to celebrate our engagement. So we could just have the wedding when they’re here… but it’s completely up to you—“

“Yes! Let’s get married tomorrow,” she says with a little squeal. I arch a brow, silently asking if she’s sure. “David, I’ve never dreamt of a big, perfect wedding. As long as our families are there, that’s all I care about.”

We grin at each other for a moment before I speak again, “Get dressed. We have a wedding to plan.”

She grabs my hand to stop me from flying off the bed to get ready. “David, are you sure about this? I know you like to have things planned out, with all the details lined up.”

I sit back down on the edge of the bed and pull her onto my lap. “Believe it or not, I’ve taken some risks in business… but only when I’m absolutely sure the investment will be worth it in the end. And Isa, I’ve never been more confident in an investment in my life than this one.”

She jumps out of my lap and stands next to the bed, her eyes alight with excitement. “Okay, then let’s do this.”

We take the stairs down to the lobby, not even sure where to start with this whole wedding thing. A man around my dad’s age, dressed in an expensive Italian suit—one I’m quite jealous of—spots Isa and smiles, walking toward us with the gait only a powerful man would have.

“Isabella! How are you enjoying the hotel?” he asks in an Italian accent that would make any woman swoon… okay I may have even swooned a little.

“Mr. Vergara, I didn't know you were still in Venice.” She lets go of my hand and places it on my arm. “This is my…. fiancé, David.”

He shakes my hand. “Fiancé?”

I smile and let go of his hand. “As of last night, yes,” I tell him proudly.