Page 28 of Vengeful Vows
Seriously?? You’re at the Bella Rosa?!!? Are you actually staying there?
Yes!Since I can hardly believe it myself, I spin in a circle, taking in my surroundings one more time. Then I go on.You’d love everything about this. It’s every bit as wonderful as we’ve heard.Once again, I hit the Send button, but since I’m too excited to stop there, I type out another reply.Don’t pinch me. If this is a dream, I never want to wake up.
You’ve got to find out how to get us some reservations for a girls’ weekend.
I’d love that, and I have no doubt that Marcello could arrange it for me. I’m sure we wouldn’t get the penthouse, but I’m willing to bet that even the regular rooms are beyond anything I usually get to enjoy.I totally will.
She follows up with a winking emoji along with the words,Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.
Since she’s much braver than I am, there’s not much chance of that happening. Moments later, my phone chimes again.
That includes getting married. I mean, you are in Vegas after all.
The warning stops me, hard. She has to be teasing. But she’s planted a thought in my mind, and I’m having a hard time shoving it aside.
Marse won’t suggest such a thing, and there’s no way that’s been part of his plan when we boarded his jet.
Even if he was thinking about suggesting something so outrageous, there’s no way I’d agree. I’m not the impulsive type, and I arrange my schedule weeks, if not months, in advance.
The problem is, when I’m around Marcello Donati, a ridiculous giddiness overcomes me, and I’m not the same person I am when we’re apart.
Trying to ignore the fact my heart is pounding so hard that I’m afraid it’s going to burst out of my chest, I determinedly force Amelia’s words from my mind.
I’m logical, I tell myself. In control of my thoughts and body.
For good measure, I repeat the words aloud into the mirror, forcing myself to take them seriously.
Once I’m satisfied, I high-five myself and clip my hair on top of my head. Then I take a quick shower, opting to use the hotel’s signature rose-scented bodywash before slipping into a slinky royal blue dress and silver heels.
When I rejoin the devastatingly gorgeous Marcello in the living room, I lose my breath and freeze in place.
A sport coat hugs his broad shoulders, and tailored slacks show off his muscular legs. His white shirt is open at the throat, providing a snowy contrast to the darker, more tanned color of his skin.
He smells of spice and power, and he’s raked back his hair again, exposing his jagged scar, as if he’s proud of it.
He’s looking at me intently, studying, contemplating. A raw flash of hunger rockets through me.
In that instant, I know Amelia was right to send that message.
Despite my earlier pep talk to myself about not being impulsive, I realize that if he were to propose right now, I’m not certain I’m capable of refusing.
That doesn’t terrify me half as much as the feral gleam in his eyes.
CHAPTERSEVEN
Bella
In the air,Marcello twirls his finger, indicating he’d like me to turn around.
As I obediently do so, he whistles, low and deep, thrilling me.
“Do you have more dresses like that?”
“No.”I picked this one just for you.“Usually I’m working, so I dress more businesslike.”
“Then I’ll buy you a dozen. All in different colors.”
Surely you’re teasing?