THAT SATURDAY FELIPE stood at his brother’s side beneath the antique wrought-iron gazebo under an arbour of mature trees on the Castillo Estate. The autumn sun shone as the celebrant pronounced Thiago and Violetta husband and wife, and the bride and groom kissed. Felipe clapped and cheered along with the rest of the congregation, and then breathed a sigh of relief.
The simple ceremony had gone without a hitch. The bride looked stunning, and the pride and love shining in Thiago’s eyes had sent a stab of envy through Felipe on more than one occasion throughout the vows.
His stare flicked to Emilia, who was seated with his cousins. Like the rest of the congregation, she too seemed overcome by the romance of the ceremony. She looked breathtaking in her simple emerald-green dress and matching heels, her hair casually pinned up to expose her elegant neck and dangling earrings.
For an unguarded second that niggle of doubt settled in his gut. Emilia’s maternal concern for Eva’s welfare was natural, but observing from the outside a part of him worried that, by always putting herself last, Emilia was indefinitely delaying facing up to her own grief. Not that it was any of his business. Only if she constantly set her needs aside, where did that leave them? Because his need for her grew stronger and more insistent every day. But that was because they had so much in common, he told himself, including a passionate sex life.
Her eyes met his and she smiled. Something inside him reached for her, wished he was at her side, holding her hand. The urge to wrap her in his arms and tell her how beautiful she was, how happy he was that she’d come along as his guest, flared to life. Except his best man duties and their circumstances meant he would need to bide his time.
At Emilia’s request, and to avoid the inevitable questions from his family, they were playing this weekend very low key. He’d need to avoid the public displays of affection that now felt like second nature around Emilia to keep up the just friends pretence. The last thing either he or Emilia needed was an inquisition from his well-meaning relatives. His aunts in particular considered themselves the family matchmakers, and he didn’t want speculation over his and Emilia’s relationship to detract from the bride and groom.
‘Congratulations,’ he said, embracing a delighted Thiago, before he kissed Violetta on both cheeks. ‘Mrs Castillo, you look beautiful.’
Violetta laughed, her eyes shining with tears as she turned to hug her bridesmaids. Felipe relaxed for the first time that weekend, the most important part of his best man duties successfully completed: ensure the groom arrives at the ceremony on time and remember the rings. As the bride and groom made their way down the aisle, Felipe took his place in the wedding party, escorting the chief bridesmaid, his stare drawn to Emilia.
Reassured that Luis Lopez seemed to be recovering from his latest setback and would avoid a second surgery, they’d arrived at the Castillo Estate late last night. The minute they’d closed the door of the estate’s two-bedroomed guest house they’d rushed into each other’s arms. Having to keep their relationship secret from people at work and from family was certainly adding to their desperation for each other.
The reception was being held on the two-hundred-year-old bottling barn on the estate, a place of many Castillo family celebrations and countless guest weddings over the years. Having escorted the chief bridesmaid there and temporarily released from his best man duties, Felipe immediately headed back outside to find Emilia.
Pride filled him as he strode her way. That such a beautiful, kind and intelligent woman was here with him made him feel ten feet tall. The weekend stretched out before them, plenty of time to show her around the estate, to coax out her wondrous smile with dancing and good wine, to worship her body as he’d done late last night and again first thing this morning. The one day at a time plan seemed to be working out.
She looked up from her phone as he approached, a small frown pinching her eyebrows together.
‘Is everything okay at home, with Eva?’ he asked, pressing a chaste kiss on each of her cheeks as he’d done to countless relatives that morning, then offering her his arm. He’d grown attuned to Emilia’s maternal concern, found himself increasingly invested in Eva’s well-being in the same the way he cared about Emilia. And he wanted her to relax and have a good time today. They worked hard, they deserved some downtime and a wedding was the perfect occasion.
‘I think so,’ she said, her voice hesitant. ‘She finally replied to my text with an “I’m fine”, which is a little terse for Eva, if I’m honest. Perhaps she’s just a bit lonely. Unless I’m at work, I’m usually always at home.’
Felipe rested his hand over hers. ‘Do you want to give her a call before the reception? You have plenty of time.’ He was dying to introduce Emilia to his extended family and his parents. By the time they’d arrived last night from Mendoza Airport it had been too late for introductions.
Emilia shook her head, pasting on a bright smile. ‘No. She’ll only accuse me of fussing. I’m sure everything is okay. Let’s go have some fun.’
She squeezed his arm and Felipe smiled, wishing he could kiss away that last glimmer of concern in her eyes. He understood the pressures on Emilia. Raising a child wasn’t easy, but doing it alone was twice as challenging. Because they’d been getting closer and closer, he knew that Emilia doubted herself as a solo parent, and he wanted to be there for her, but it was fine line to tread without crossing it. He wasn’t Eva’s father. He didn’t know the first thing about raising a child, and he didn’t want to get in the way of her close relationship with her mother.
‘So, did you enjoy the ceremony?’ he asked, changing the subject as they ambled back towards the barn.
‘It was so beautiful,’ she said, her hand resting on her chest. ‘I might have shed an emotional tear or two.’
‘Me too,’ he said, laughing. ‘I’m so proud of my little brother. By the way, you look utterly beautiful. I wanted to tell you earlier but Thiago was a bundle of nerves before the ceremony and wouldn’t allow me to leave his side.’ He’d almost drooled when he’d spied Emilia taking her seat in the rose garden for the ceremony.
‘Thank you.’ She smiled. ‘You look very smart. And very hot,’ she added in a whisper. ‘I’m a huge fan of the relaxed wedding attire look,’ she said, eyeing his beige linen sports coat and his powder-blue shirt, which was open at the neck.
When her stare returned to his, it carried that secret look he’d now come to expect, the one she gave him when they kissed passionately or when they were intimate, as if she trusted him. He never wanted to lose that trust.
‘Are you ready to meet my parents?’ Felipe asked as they reached the short line of guests entering the barn, who were being greeted by the bride and groom and both sets of parents. A big part of him wished he could whisk Emilia away somewhere private. It was torture being unable to act naturally, to touch her or kiss her the way he wanted.
‘As ready as I’ll ever be,’ she whispered, giving him a small, nervous smile.
Except Felipe had no doubt that Emilia would charm every single member of his family. If he could keep the intrusive but natural questions about them at bay this weekend it would be a miracle.
Sliding his hand to the small of her back, they entered the barn. ‘Mamá, Papá, this is a friend of mine, Emilia Gonzales, a fellow doctor at the General. Emilia, meet Carolina and Gabriel Castillo.’
Pride bloomed in his chest as Emilia greeted his parents warmly, shaking their hands.
‘Thank you so much for inviting me,’ she said. ‘What a beautiful home you have and what a stunning ceremony that was.’
His father beamed and kissed both Emilia’s cheeks. His mother’s eyes lit up with surprise and predictable speculation as she glanced Felipe’s way. He’d have some more explaining to do later, but for now he wasn’t ready to answer probing questions about them or put a label on what they had, which was something special but also new and fragile for them both. For now, he simply wanted his beautiful date to forget her worries and have a good time.
They moved away from the line up and headed for the bar. Felipe took two glasses of Castillo Estate bubbles and handed one to Emilia. ‘A private toast, just for us,’ he said, clinking his glass to hers and enjoying the excited sparkle in her eyes. ‘To you, Emilia. To our secret weekend and to family, big or small, here or departed.’
Family was so important to them both, and obviously Ricardo was always in Emilia’s thoughts. He wasn’t threatened by that, but he hoped to spend the rest of the weekend making her smile.
Emilia swallowed, blinking up at him, her emotions clearly on display. ‘That’s a beautiful toast, Felipe. To family,’ she replied, her eyes sad but hopeful.
They took a first sip, their stares locked together. The rest of the room seemed to fade out, as if they were alone. Felipe stiffened, restless. How would he get through today without holding her the way he wanted to, without kissing her and showing everyone here how passionately he wanted this incredible woman, who had also become a great friend?
Her stare shifted over his face, as if she too felt the same impulses. Then she blinked and the moment passed. ‘I hope you’re keeping some of that good stuff for your best man toast.’
Felipe grinned, recalling how he’d promised to play down their connection—he’d need to stop looking at her as if he couldn’t wait to strip off that dress. ‘I’ll try to pull something out of the hat.’
Emilia took another sip of wine and glanced around the crowded room, where the party was already in full swing, the music playing, the drinks flowing, joy and laughter a loud din. ‘Do you know everyone here?’ she asked.
Felipe shrugged, stepping closer because she felt too far away. ‘My father is one of five brothers.’ He indicated the huddle of uncles in the far corner, drinking and laughing and generally staying away from their wives—his aunts—probably in case they were tasked with some job or other.
‘I have fifteen cousins,’ he added. ‘I’ll introduce you to a few more, but don’t worry—you don’t have to remember everyone’s names.’
Emilia smiled, looking relieved. ‘And all the children are little Castillos?’
‘The children of my cousins,’ Felipe confirmed. ‘Oh, I forgot. Speaking of children, I wanted to show you something. Come with me.’
He guided her out of the rear door of the barn, taking her hand as they crossed a cobblestoned courtyard, which later would be lit with a thousand twinkling lights as dusk settled.
‘This is it,’ Felipe said, pausing at the foot of a set of stone steps, where a huge concrete planter spilled over with flowers. ‘This is my vat, where I trod my first vintage.’
Emilia’s eyes lit up.
‘See,’ he said, running his finger over the brass plate engraved with his name and a date. ‘I was six years old. Come—I’ll show you.’
He opened the door to another barn used for storage and office space, locating the framed photograph on the wall. ‘That’s me.’ He was treading the grapes for the first time and was so small that he barely reached over the side of the vat.
Emilia peered closer, her smile full of wonder. ‘Oh, you were an adorable little boy. And look at that cheeky smile.’ She beamed up at him and he slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her close because they were alone.
‘It’s the same as this one,’ he said, smiling down at her. ‘I haven’t been able to wipe it off my face today, because you’re here.’ He brushed her lips with his, tasting lipstick and wine and Emilia. ‘Thank you for coming. I know my big noisy family are a bit overwhelming. But say the word and we’ll duck out for a break. I know all the best hiding places around here.’
‘I’ll remember that,’ she said breathily, her stare dipping to his mouth so he once more captured her lips in a kiss.
Fire raced through his blood and their kiss turned passionate. Emilia slid her arm around his waist, inside his jacket, as she parted her lips and touched her tongue to his. Felipe forgot where he was, forgot that as far as anyone else here was concerned, they were just friends, forgot that he’d spent fifteen years keeping the women he dated at arm’s length.
Emilia was different. She was special. He wanted her too much to keep a lid on his feelings, even though they were terrifying. But as long as he kept them to himself, as long as he didn’t pressure her to consider them dating exclusively for a while, he could examine them more closely after this weekend.
‘Felipe...’ she moaned as he pressed kisses down the side on her neck, hitting all the spots that made her gasp when he moved inside her. His hand roamed the body he now knew so well, cupping her breast, her waist, her hip and her backside as her fingers slid through his hair, bringing him back to their kiss.
They were like a flame and oxygen—one touch, one look, one word setting off a chain reaction of desire until they surrendered and quenched it in each other’s arms. Emilia pressed her body to his, moving against him so he grew painfully hard, his only thought to wonder if they had time to slip back to the guest house.
‘I can’t wait to get you alone later,’ he whispered against her lips, his hand fisting the fabric of her dress over her hip. ‘I’m going to peel off this beautiful dress, cover your body in kisses, spend the whole night pleasuring you, making you come so many times you won’t ever forget this weekend.’
Emilia licked her lips, her eyes glazed over with passion and she gripped the lapel of his jacket as if for balance. ‘I can’t wait. But we should get back. You’re the best man. They’ll start looking for you soon.’
‘Party pooper,’ he teased, pressing one last chaste kiss to her smiling lips.
‘I’ll make it up to you later,’ she said seductively, batting her long eyelashes so he almost groaned.
Felipe stepped back and reached for her hand. ‘I guess I can keep my hands off you for a few hours longer. Come on, let’s introduce you to even more people.’
It promised to be a wonderful party, but for Felipe it would also be a very long day.