Page 142 of Secrets of the Brother
During the day, I headed to work at the Cavalieri headquarters to work on graphic design projects or stayed at the villa office fine-tuning the wine label designs with Amara.
Enzo, meanwhile, worked at the winery supervising the wine bottling with his father and Cesare.
In the evenings, we took pleasure in working at the cottage, adding all the finishing touches that would give it that authentic yet artistic character we both craved.
We wanted the cottage to be a home we helped build ourselves with pieces we found around Italy. So on the weekends we traveled around searching through dusty attics, markets, and old shops, looking for authentic tiles and fixtures to give the cottage character.
In the solarium, we installed ceramic tile with a fabulous Roman motif that we found in Teramo, and stained the beautiful oak fireplace mantle we bought from a medieval monastery in Lanciano. In the courtyard, two bronze lion figurines we found at an estate auction in Santo Stefano di Sessanio flanked the door.
I also couldn’t wait to paint the walls so I could hang up the montage of charcoal portraits I had drawn of everyone: Cesare and Milana, Amara and Barone, Gabriella, Alfonso, Rosa, Matteo, the staff at the villa and winery. With Enzo, I was creating a new family and I wanted to be surrounded by their faces.
I looked down at the diamond engagement ring on my hand.
The past was the past.
He finally helped me realize that I wasn’t going to lose myself by loving him.
I was, in a way, reinventing myself through his love, in a good way.
Love didn’t have to be a winner takes all battle of wills.
Once I stopped fighting my feelings for him, it became more about us.
It became about him supporting my decision not to become an employee of Cavalieri Enterprises, but rather to set up my own graphic design business—with Cavalieri as my number one client—so I still had my own independence.
And me agreeing to move in together, and finally saying yes to marrying him… as long as he agreed to a six-month engagement to give me time to plan aproperwedding.
I pulled off my robe and slipped into my dress. Smoothed the black silk over my hips before carefully lifting the hem to step into my heels. I kept the hem lifted to avoid the construction dust in the hallway as I crossed back into the en suite bathroom.
The steam from his shower had dissipated. The air was rich with the scent of spicy sandalwood and just a hint of pine and mint from his cologne and shaving foam. His back was turned to me as he shrugged into his tuxedo jacket.
I stepped behind him and lifted the collar, then smoothed the shoulders of his jacket.
He turned his head and kissed the tips of my fingers. “Thank you, baby.”
I peeked at him over his shoulder in the mirror. “You look very handsome.”
He winked before turning. He lifted my hands in his, holding them out wide, and surveyed me. His dark gaze raked over my body, sending a shiver up my spine. “Damn, how did I get so lucky as to have a woman as beautiful as you on my arm?”
My lips quirked in a crooked smile. “I’m pretty sureluckhad nothing to do with it.”
I turned to get the diamond cuff bracelet I needed his help putting on.
“What the fuck, Bianca?”
I turned, feigning innocence. I was prepared for this.
Aunt Gabriella prepared me for this.
I licked my lips and opened them slightly as I blinked my heavily mascaraed lashes several times. “What?” I asked, slightly breathless like she taught me.
Enzo stepped close. He snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me against his hard body. “Don’t youwhatme, babygirl. Where the fuck is the rest of your dress?” he growled.
I lowered my gaze and drew a circle on his chest with the tip of my finger. “Now Enzo, we agreed. You said it had to be floor-length and it couldn’t showanycleavage.”
He lowered his brow. “Yes, but….”
I squirmed out of his embrace and stepped back. I swept my arms over my hips, gesturing to my elegant black Valentino Cady Couture evening gown. “My gown actually goes beyond floor length into a small train.” I then swept my hand over my collarbone. “And has a high, straight neckline showingnocleavage whatsoever, per your instructions.”
