Sofia turned her face up towards the glorious morning sunshine streaming through the open-air roof of the ancient church ruin. She closed her eyes, absorbing its warmth as she delighted in the nostalgic scent of jasmine permeating the fragrant spring breeze.
‘Everything okay?’ Sofia jumped at Roberto’s voice over her shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her waist, interlocking his fingers with hers.
‘The calm before the storm.’ She rested her head back against his firm chest. ‘The guests will be arriving soon. How’s your mother?’
‘In the kitchen at Villa Castello ordering the staff around like she owns the place.’
‘She does,’ Sofia laughed.
‘We all do now amore.’ Roberto nuzzled down into the crook of her neck. ‘In a few hours you’ll be my wife.’
‘It’s about time you made an honest woman of me.’
She giggled as Roberto growled, kissing the hollow of her collarbone knowing it still made her weak at the knees. His hips pressed against her as his hands shot up to cup her peaking breasts, guaranteeing a rush of pleasure to her core.
‘Someone will see us,’ she protested half-heartedly, betraying her words as she raised one arm and ran her fingers through his thick hair.
‘Hot isn’t it?’ His warm breath tickled her tingling skin.
‘Not if it’s your mother.’ Sofia turned to face him and draped her hands around his neck. ‘Or our son.’
‘Matteo’s playing with Rachel, some sort of special game for cousins only. Your sister’s looking after them. We have time.’ Roberto’s eyes gleamed at her as he clenched her behind, pulling her against his obvious arousal.
Sofia inhaled sharply, trying to subdue the desire that quickly rose within her. ‘I have to get ready.’
‘We’ll be quick.’ Roberto leant down and teased her mouth with the brush of his warm lips, unleashing her hold on her feeble resistance. Sofia drove her fingers through his luscious hair as she stood on tiptoes, inviting his sensual tongue into her mouth.
Hints of burnt orange and dark cacao tantalised Sofia’s taste buds. ‘You’ve been eating chocolate,’ she said, arching back as Roberto trailed kisses down her neck.
‘Si,’ he mumbled. ‘I’ve been preparing for tonight.’
‘With chocolate?’
‘It’s key to my seduction.’
‘It’s our wedding night, my love, give me a shot of grappa and I’m a sure thing.’ She smiled seductively as Roberto straightened to look at her.
‘Remember that night on the rooftop, before the gala?’ he asked.
‘How could I forget? Matteo was conceived that night.’
‘Maybe it’s time we do it again.’ Roberto’s eyes shone at her. ‘A little brother or sister. What do you think?’
Unease fluttered in Sofia’s stomach. ‘We might not be able to. I mean I don’t know if I’ll be able to, again. After the first time... maybe we were just lucky with Matteo.’
Roberto squeezed her in his comforting arms. ‘Sofia, you and Matteo are my life. I don’t need anything else. But it would be fun to try, no?’ The wicked glimmer returned to his eyes. ‘And who knows what might happen?’
Sofia stared at him in wonder. He’d filled her heart with love and she’d given all of hers to him, thinking it would be impossible to give any more. Then Matteo was born and incredibly her heart expanded with enough love for them both.
‘Ah, here are my lovebirds.’ Fabrizio’s familiar voice broke the silence as he stepped over a collapsed section of the stone wall into the vast space. ‘Behaving yourselves I hope... not!’ He chortled as he approached them with open arms, carefully stepping around the scattered rocks of the disintegrated floor.
‘Impeccable timing as ever.’ Roberto patted Fabrizio warmly on the back as they embraced.
‘You have a lifetime with her to look forward to, Berto. But now, the bride and I have work to do, yes?’ Fabrizio turned to Sofia with open arms.
‘Of course.’ She kissed her old friend on each cheek. ‘Roberto doesn’t mind waiting, do you amore?’
‘Until tonight bella mia.’ He winked.
‘Brava, let’s go.’ Fabrizio clapped his hands and spun back towards the exit.
‘I’ll be right there,’ Sofia called after him. She reached up to Roberto and kissed him softly on the lips. ‘Let’s try.’
She gasped as he suddenly scooped her into his embrace and twirled them around, everything becoming a blur except for his glistening eyes, brimming with a hint of tears. Exhilaration swept through Sofia imagining the immense happiness of their future together.
‘So, wedding first,’ Roberto said breathlessly as he lowered her to the ground. ‘Then grappa and chocolate.’ He raised his eyebrows at her.
‘So-fi-a!’ Fabrizio’s distant voice rang out from outside the church.
‘Sounds good. I better go,’ Sofia said. ‘I’ll see you at the altar my Fairy King.’
‘I’ll never live that down will I?’
‘Never.’ She cackled and hummed ‘L. O. V. E.’ as she shimmied towards the exit. ‘And don’t forget the blindfold,’ she called over her shoulder.
‘What?’
‘Grappa, chocolate.’ Sofia turned to Roberto shining in the dappled sunlight. Her golden god. ‘And a blindfold.’