Page 74 of Giorgio
“Have you been paying attention? I am not going anywhere, because I cannot live without you. It is that simple.”
That night, their lovemaking had taken on another dimension.
She had handed over the running of the store to Marjorie and she and her brother had boarded the plane for Italy. Giorgio had gone ahead of them to handle some details. Besides, the news of their upcoming nuptials was making the rounds on the various social media platforms.
Saying goodbye to her home had choked her up, but she was happy her brother was traveling with her and would be staying for two weeks.
Dr. Charlene Simmonds was also coming and staying for the duration of her pregnancy. Giorgio had offered her enough incentive for her to say yes, and she and Julian had gotten closer. The two were now exclusive.
Juliana was moving thousands of miles away to be with the man she loved and the father of her baby, so she was happy he had found someone who was genuinely into him.
It made things so much easier for her to leave.
*****
Spring in Rome was so vastly different from spring anywhere else, and the day was perfect for the wedding. Returning had brought back the memories and sent nostalgia coursing throughher. This was where she had met and fallen in love with the man who had changed the course of her life forever.
They had been met at the airport by Giogio and even though she had seen him a few days ago, the brief separation had proven how integral he had become in her life and how she could never envision life without him in it.
She had flown into his arms with unabashed pleasure, and he had wrapped his arms around her, swinging her into the air as he kissed her soundly.
Julian had grumbled at them to get a room, but he had been ignored. Their photos had turned up in the society rags the very next day with the title:
‘Former playboy Giorgio Russo, seen here completely in love with his fiancée.’
They had been greeted by the staff who were lined in the lofty hallway, welcoming back ‘Signorina’ home. In spite of himself,Julian had been blown away by the sheer luxury of the place and the sumptuous décor of his suite.
Despite Giorgio’s protest, she had slept in the same guest suite she occupied when she was here before, overriding his argument that the traditional was ridiculous.
“I need all the help I can get.” She told him.
“What does that mean?” He had demanded.
“I am marrying a man more beautiful than I am, with more money than anyone I know and a former ladies’ man. I don’t need to flout tradition in that respect. So, I am sticking to it. We have been spending the entire time together and one night apart will not kill us.”
“It might kill me.” He had taken her hand and guided it to his full and heavy sex. “Think about that.”
“You don’t play fair.”
“Precisely.” He retorted. But he had capitulated when she added that she wanted to get the full bridal treatment and that cannot happen if he was in the bed with her.
“You are referring to the fact that I cannot keep my hands off you and might keep you up all night.”
“Yes.”
Now staring at herself in the full-length mirror, she felt tears burning the back of her eyes.
“You are exquisite.” The hushed tone inside the doorway had her lifting her eyes and he noticed the tears.
Without asking why, he knew exactly what was going through her mind. Bridging the distance, he placed his hands on her shoulders, his expression solemn.
“I might not be a substitute for our dad, but I am here to assure you that he would have been very proud of you.”
“I miss him so much, both of them.”
“I know honey.” Putting her at arm’s length, he studied the beautiful picture she made. Being in love and having it returned had done wonders for her skin. She was glowing.
Or perhaps it was the pregnancy, whatever it was, it made her skin luminous and dewy. A stylist had been called in and her hair was a mass of glossy curls around her scalp. Tear drop diamonds were at her lobes and a stunning diamond necklace was around her neck.