Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 116471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Danilo and Sofia stayed in a hotel around the corner from the Mione mansion, not taking us up on our offer to sleep in one of the guest rooms. Danilo probably wasn’t too keen on being under the same roof as Samuel or Pietro.
Samuel and I arrived at his parents’ late in the afternoon on Christmas Eve. They also lived in the Lake of the Isles neighborhood with a beautiful lake view. Their mansion was built at the beginning of the 20th century and not newly built like our home.
When Samuel and I entered the mansion’s entryway, my eyes grew wide. Beside the old wooden staircase that led to the first floor was a new elevator. It looked like an alien amid the last century decor. I gaped at Ines and Pietro, then peered up at Samuel. “Did you know?”
He nodded with a small smile. “The same elevator company that did the one in our house installed this.”
I was incredibly touched by the gesture. I moved over to Ines and took her hand. “You really didn’t have to do this. This doesn’t match your house’s historic decor.”
Ines let out a small laugh. “We want you to feel at home here, and that requires you to be able to access every part of this mansion. Would you like to try it out?”
I nodded and pressed the button that opened the doors. It was a tube-shaped elevator, with just enough room for my wheelchair and another person. I rode to the first floor, then back down again and grinned. “It’s perfect, thank you!”
The doorbell rang, and Pietro opened the door for Danilo, Mom, and Sofia. They had just arrived today, so I hadn’t seen them yet.
After greeting Ines and Pietro, Mom immediately came toward Samuel and me. She gave him a dazzling smile before she pulled him into an enthusiastic hug. Danilo gave me a look that almost made me burst out laughing. After hugging Mom, too, I moved toward Danilo to give Mom some time to schmooze Samuel, as she seemed very intent on doing. “At least Mom shows some enthusiasm about her new family.”
Danilo bent down and hugged me. “If I hugged your husband like that, he’d kick my ass. Neither of us are into public displays of affection, and my affection is still limited with him.”
I pursed my lips. “You should try to like him. He’s my husband.”
“Is he a good one? Then I might consider it.”
“Are you a good husband?”
Danilo glanced at Sofia, who stood beside Ines with an arm wrapped around her. Something in his gaze had definitely changed since I’d last seen those two, and when she looked back at him, I realized the same could be said for her eyes. “I think you’re doing better.”
Danilo sent me a stern look, but I merely smiled. Samuel came to my side, probably worried Danilo was asking too many questions about him.
We finally moved into the living room, where a huge real fir illuminated the room with dozens of real candles on its branches. Dinner was delicious, but I was utterly stuffed after four courses. Danilo and Sofia excused themselves for a short walk along the lake while Ines went upstairs to look for the photo albums she wanted to show us. Pietro disappeared into their wine cellar to look for a special drink for the occasion.
Samuel and I went out into the garden to enjoy some fresh air and solitude. I sucked in a deep breath. It was bitterly cold outside. Samuel shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over me.
“Your brother is practically undressing my sister with his eyes,” Samuel muttered as he released my shoulders after a moment.
I stifled laughter. “Sofia did the same, you know?” It had been quite embarrassing and endearing at the same time. I hoped I never looked at Samuel like that, considering I felt the same strong pull toward him that Sofia felt toward my brother. I tried not to think about it too much.
Samuel looked as if he’d chewed something very bitter. “I feel very tempted to leer at you the remainder of the evening just to spite Danilo.”
I laughed. “That’s horrible and childish.” I pursed my lips. “And I don’t want you to leer at me for any other reason than because you feel like it.”
Samuel cupped my chin and tilted my head up, then braced himself on my wheelchair with his other hand, bringing our faces very close together. “Trust me, Emma, I always want to undress you with my eyes and my hands, but unlike your brother, I have an ounce of decency and won’t do it around my parents.”
I rolled my eyes. Danilo and Samuel were like cats and dogs. Samuel pressed his lips against mine. “Especially when you disrespect me like this, I want to kiss some sense into you.”