“I like your version of playtime, Em—a lot.”
I felt the heat move into my cheeks, and I quickly looked away. Garrett stood up and walked over to me. He held out his hand for me to stand up. I placed my hand in his, and instantly, I felt the butterflies in my stomach.
Garrett gave me the sweetest smile and brushed a piece of my hair back and behind my ear. “Don’t ever be ashamed of what we share together, Emma. I’m not. I could taste you every day, ten times a day. You’re my wife, and I’m your husband. What we share together is amazing, magical, and sexy as hell.”
I bit down on my lip. I wasn’t sure why, but when Garrett spoke like that to me, it did things deep in the pit of my stomach.
I looked into his eyes and whispered, “I’m not ashamed, Garrett. I…I enjoyed making you come like that.”
The moment that familiar smile of his spread across his face, I couldn’t help but want to drop to my knees and take him in my mouth again.
“I enjoyed it, too, more than you know. I see the look in your eyes, Buttercup, but we can’t. We have to get ready to head into the city. I have a surprise for you.”
My smile faded, and I couldn’t believe how disappointed I felt. I smiled weakly and said, “A surprise, huh?”
He nodded with excitement. “Get dressed, Em. We don’t have much time.”
I watched as he walked away from me, his sleeping pants barely hanging on by his hips. The way his toned body moved when he walked gave me shivers. I thought about last night in the bathtub where he’d made love to me and whispered to me all the places he was going to make love to me. The bathroom alone was incredibly romantic with a massive oval tub and marble everywhere. I closed my eyes and let out a moan. I could almost feel his lips on my body.
I never, ever want to leave Italy.
As we walked up to the gondola, I couldn’t help but notice Emma’s smile. The gondolier allowed me in first, so I could help Emma in after me. She was still grinning from ear to ear, and it caused me to smile.
“I’ve been wanting to take a gondola ride,” she said with excitement.
We took our seats, and I pulled Emma closer to me as the gondolier began singing a barcarole while he moved us along the Venetian Lagoon. His voice was smooth as silk, and he held both Emma and I captive with the beautiful song.
“Garrett, I never want to leave,” Emma whispered.
I kissed her forehead. “Neither do I, Em. Neither do I.”
The gondolier smiled. “Tale bella sposa. Così felice in amore.”
I laughed. “I got beautiful bride and love out of that.”
We all laughed.
The gondolier said, “Such a beautiful bride. So happy in love.”
Emma looked up, and when my eyes caught hers, my heart melted. Her eyes were filled with so much love and happiness.
“Yes, I am very happy in love,” she said.
I leaned down and kissed her forehead. “And you’re the most beautiful bride ever.”
After the gondola ride, we slowly made our way to a small restaurant that Charles had told me to take his daughter to. One of his doctor friends, John, had moved to Venice after meeting a girl from here and falling in love. They had opened up the restaurant a few years back, and Charles and Maria had been the first ones to eat there. I’d taken advantage of the friendship when I made arrangements for dinner this evening. John had told me I was not only going to score points with Emma, but with her father as well.
As we walked in, Emma and I both let out a gasp. The restaurant wasn’t very big, but it was completely empty. I had offered to pay John handsomely to have the restaurant somewhat private, but once he’d found out that Charles was my father-in-law, he’d said he would do it for an old friend.
“Garrett!” Emma placed her hand up to her mouth.
I really wanted to have the same reaction, but I had to play it cool. Holy shit. He did exactly what I said I had envisioned, even down to the flowers I mentioned.
She spun around and looked at me. “Did you arrange all of this?”
I smiled. “I had connections with the owner.”
I glanced up and saw John and his wife, Mary, standing there. I nodded my head and walked up to them. I shook John’s hand, and he brought me in for a hug.