His heart skipped a beat. “Do you honestly mean it? Even though it meant ending an important relationship with the doctor you met in Kenya?”
“It wasn’t that important. I didn’t want to break my commitment to you either. You and Elena have trod a treacherous path all your lives. You always will because you were born to the House of L’Accardi.
“Elena and I were friends from the age of fifteen. I knew her sorrows. She bore mine. Her greatest fear was that you might end up living in California one day and giving up the throne so she would have to be queen. That was one of her greatest nightmares.”
Good heavens. So much had gone on that he hadn’t known about behind the scenes because of his selfishness in pursuing his own dream. “I didn’t realize...”
“How could you if she never said anything? At our reception, Elena acted so happy we got married that she could hardly contain herself.” Even though there was still something she seemed to be holding back.
“Her happiness went much deeper than that because it meant she wasn’t going to lose the best friend she’s ever had.”
Christina flashed a full, radiant smile at him, stunning him. “Now she’s got both of us and our threesome can go on forever.”
Forever.
* * *
Antonio turned around and started paddling again. There’d been a time when the thought of being married forever stuck in his throat. But no longer. When they returned to the hut, Manu had served their dinner on the deck.
“Tonight you are eating freshly caught mahimahi with coconut rice and mango salsa.”
“It looks fantastic, Manu.”
After he left them alone Christina said, “They’ve gone all out for us. Now I know the true meaning of being treated like a king.”
His blue eyes glinted with amusement as they sat down to eat.
Christina took her first bite. “The fish is out of this world.”
“This is Bora Bora mahimahi,” he quipped. “We won’t be getting anything this good in Halencia. If I could put off the coronation for a while, I’d like us to stay here for a month at least! I’m thinking our first-year anniversary. What do you say?”
“But we’ll fly commercial. And we’ll stay in a little bungalow over the water and play tourist like everyone else.”
“And climb the mountain and scuba dive. Have you ever been?”
“No.”
“Then you’ve got to take lessons. I’ll go with you.”
“You mean you’ll take time out of your busy day?”
“You’ll need a buddy. I don’t want anyone else buddying up with my wife.”
The possessive tone in his voice thrilled her.
Once dinner was over Christina showered and washed her hair. After toweling it, she used the blow dryer until it swished against her shoulders. She put on a pale lemon-colored nightgown. Her skin had picked up some sun, adding color to her complexion. To her relief her injury was barely noticeable.
Her lamp was the only light on in the room. There were more brochures for her to read on the side table, but she wasn’t ready for bed yet. Antonio had turned on more romantic music. The thought of him made her heart thump out of control. She’d just spent the most heavenly day of her life with the man who was now her husband.
Before long he came into the bedroom wearing a robe. Without a shirt he had an amazing male physique with a dusting of dark hair on his chest. Her mouth went dry just looking at him. When he came closer, she could smell the soap he’d used in the shower. “The night is calling to us. Let’s go out on the deck. I want to dance with you.”
He grasped her hand and they walked out into the balmy night. Christina gasped softly to see millions of stars overhead. “Antonio—have you ever seen the heavens this alive? I just saw a shooting star.”
“We don’t need a telescope when the universe seems so close. It’s even in your eyes. They are shimmering like newly minted silver. Combined with the red gold of your hair, you’re an amazing sight. A new heavenly body to light up this unforgettable night.”
His words overwhelmed her before he wrapped his arms around her and started dancing with her. Not the kind of dancing they did at the reception. This was slow dancing. She melted into him. The night had seduced her. There was a fragrance in the air from the flowers on the deck that intoxicated her. Being held against his hard body like this was pure revelation.
Her womanhood had come alive in his arms. She liked being taller because their bodies fit together. He’d buried his face in her hair. She could feel the warmth of his breath, tantalizing her because she longed to feel his mouth on hers. On their wedding night she’d thought the fantasy was over. How could she have known they would come to this paradise where she was finding rapture beyond her dreams?
“Give me your mouth, Christina,” he murmured. “I’m aching for you.”
She had the same ache and lifted her head. Their mouths met and they kissed for a long time, giving and taking, back and forth. She clung to him, needing the pleasure he gave her with every caress of his hands roaming over her back. When he moved his mouth lower, she moaned as he slowly kissed her neck and throat. Everywhere his lips touched, it brought heat that spread through her body like fire.
Without her realizing it, he’d danced them back inside. Then he swept her into his arms and followed her down on the bed. “I could eat you alive,” he whispered against her lips, and once again Christina was consumed by his kiss, hot with desire. A husband’s desire. She hadn’t known it could be like this.
“Bellissima? Tell me something. Have you ever been to bed with a man?”
The question jolted her. “No. Does my inexperience show so much?”
“Not at all. But I worried that if I’m the first man to make love to you, then I don’t want to rush you into anything. You’re so sweet, Christina. I didn’t need Elena to tell me just how sweet you really are. I want our first time to be everything for you.”
“Everything has been perfect so far,” she whispered, fearing something had to be lacking in her for him to bring it up. When he didn’t say anything, she eased away a little, but he drew her to him with her back resting against his chest.
“I’m glad, but I want to give you time to get used to me. Until you’re truly ready, let’s simply hold each other tonight. If I’d gone to Africa to see you, this is what we would have done. We have the rest of our lives and don’t need to be in a hurry.” He kissed her neck. “This is heavenly, you know? You smell and feel divine to me.”
To be held in his arms was heavenly, but little did he know she was ready! Though she loved him for trying to make their first time perfect, she was dying inside. Still, by his determination to ease her into marriage, it showed a tender side of his nature that proved what a wonderful man she’d married. How many men would care enough about their brides’ feelings to go to these lengths?
“This has been my idea of heaven, Antonio. I can’t wait until tomorrow.” Maybe tomorrow night he’d realize she didn’t want to wait a second longer.
When she awakened the next morning, she discovered her husband fast asleep. They’d slept late. Christina slid out of bed without disturbing him and rushed into the kitchen to phone Manu and order breakfast. Then she showered to get ready for the day.
With that accomplished she put on another bikini. This one had an apple-green flutter top. Both she and Elena had loved the crocheted look of the top and bottom overlying a white lining. It was more modest than many of the suits.
Since they’d probably be out in the water most of the