Page 79 of Broken Rules
* * *
We’re almost to Amalfi Coast as our driver navigates through traffic, but I’m enjoying every second of Evie taking in her heritage. Our time here will be endless. As we pull into our resort, I tip our driver when he hands us our luggage, which surprises him as he nods and gets back into his vehicle.
“Everything’s beautiful.” Evie strolls toward the railing with a huge grin, Luca and Enzo standing on either side of her as they take in the ocean view.
She glances back at me as Luca drapes his arm around her shoulder, Enzo her waist, then she faces forward. I give them this moment, entering the resort to check us into our three-bedroom suite, and they walk inside, taking in the beautiful decor. Once we’re all settled in our room, we get dressed for dinner, wearing all white, and Evie looks gorgeous in her maxi dress, wishing we were alone right now.
“You look amazing.”
Evie smiles, smoothing down the collar of my pressed shirt and tips back my hat. “I like this, but the beanie much more.”
“Wait a few months and tell me again if you don’t get sick of me wearing one.”
She hums, kissing my lips. “Well, if you grow out your hair again, maybe I will since it’ll only get in the way.”
“Alright, you two have the rest of the week to do all this. I’m starving,” Enzo says, standing a foot away and looking between us.
Turning with her hands resting on her hips, she says, “Keep it up, and you’ll be sleeping with rocks in your pillow tonight.”
“What? Wait, that was—how dare you.” Evie presses her lips together to hold in her laugh, and Enzo follows behind her while walking toward the door where Luca’s waiting, unable to contain his laughter. “I knew that was you.”
I never had a relationship with my half-siblings. We are years apart, and I’m the only one who stayed in Oregon, growing up as if I was an only child. Watching Evie and her cousins bicker is a bittersweet feeling. One I want to feel more often. When the time is right, I want love to spread in all corners of our home, with children, animals, and cuddles, all the warmth to embrace everyone. I blow out an unsteady breath as my throat burns, and Evie turns to look at me as we walk along the pathway, her smile hitting me the hardest.
My heart is at the fullest it’s ever felt.
“You okay?” she asks, intertwining our fingers as she walks next to me.
“Never better, Peaches.”
Resting her head on my shoulder, we continue until we reach the restaurant around the corner, just in time for our reservation. The hostess seats us near the ocean view, everything going as planned, though I want to skip dinner and bring my woman back to our room to devour her. Now’s not the time to be greedy, so I enjoy our delicious meal. The tension between Luca and I quickly dies out the more we talk, and Evie video calls with Ella—just with the sound of her voice, Luca turns soft, battling with being away from his girlfriend, Enzo just as excited to see his girl, Ashley.
By the end of dinner, the atmosphere shifts as we roam the street toward the ocean. What was once pleasant conversation turns to silence, Evie squeezing my hand every so often. I release her grip, and she glances back as I stop walking.
“Go breathe, baby.”
Tears spring to her eyes, and she hugs me tight, kissing me a few times before continuing down the pier with her cousins, resting her head on Lucas’ side as he drapes his arm around her shoulder, Enzo strolling further ahead of them. I lean on the railing overlooking the sea, and moments spent with Dad on the water come rushing in, missing those years of our life, and I swallow deeply, wishing for more times like that.
* * *
As much as I’ve enjoyed getting to know Evie’s family, I’m glad they are gone, and the honeymoon session officially begins. I’ve requested guest services to change our reservation to the honeymoon suite, and Evie’s beautiful eyes widen once we enter our new room. Rose petals, candy, candles, the full experience.
“Lex,” she whispers, walking toward the balcony window with an outdoor hot tub, lounging bed, and ocean view. “That’s it. We are never leaving.”
I chuckle, touching her waist as I hum into her neck. “Whatever you want, baby.”
She spins around to face me with a smirk. “Careful. That’s a hell of a statement.”
“You have my surrender.” Threading my fingers into her hair, I tilt her head back. “Do with me as you please.”
Her breathing deepens as she drags her bottom lip through her teeth, revealing a wicked grin before stepping away from me. She continues to stroll around the room, unbuttoning her blouse, and stops to open the closet by the bathroom.
Two cream velvet robes are hanging inside, and she tosses one to me the closer I get. “Put that on.”
“We’re staying inside the rest of the night if I do.”
Evie giggles and takes down hers, walking into the bathroom. “Just wear it.”
Removing my clothes down to my drawers, I slip the soft fabric on and lie back on the mattress, taking a deep breath. Who knew traveling could be so tiring as my eyelids fall heavy, but I perk up when the bed dips. Evie crawls toward me, her robe tied tightly around her waist, straddling my lap.
