CHAPTER THIRTEEN

THE day the reaffirmation of vows was to be held involved a flurry of activity which began to subside around mid-afternoon, as everything came together beautifully beneath Teresa’s direction.

The floral arrangements were a majestic attestation to skilled artistry, their placements superb in the large room Teresa had chosen to hold the ceremony. Chairs were meticulously lined in rows facing a table covered in white linen.

The catering firm duly arrived and were soon busy in the kitchen, while Elena, Teresa and Gianna made a final check of the formal dining room, where tables bore floral centerpieces and were set with exquisite crystal, bone china and silver flatware.

‘It looks beautiful,’ Gianna complimented as she gave Teresa a warm hug. ‘Thank you.’

‘My pleasure.’ Teresa cradled her face, then pressed her lips gently to each of Gianna’s cheeks in turn. ‘Now, go upstairs and get ready.’

Her suite held her bridal gown, encased in its protective dress-bag, with stilettos placed precisely in readiness, while exquisite new underwear reposed on the bed.

A slim velvet jeweller’s case was in clear sight, and she crossed the room and opened it with cautious fingers.

A stunning sapphire surrounded by diamonds on a delicate gold chain rested on a bed of white silk, and beside it were matching sapphire and diamond ear-studs.

The set Raúl had bid an astronomical amount for at the charity auction.

There was a card, and she picked it up with trembling fingers.

Tears welled in her eyes, and she blinked rapidly to dispel them. She couldn’t, wouldn’t cry.

Shower, make-up, hair, then dress, she bade herself silently, and set about achieving all four before slipping her feet into the elegant ivory stilettos.

The gown was perfection, in ivory silk and lace crafted to enhance her slender curves, with three-quarter sleeves, a delicately scooped neckline.

With care she attached the ear-studs, fastened the pendant…then she did a final close check of her make-up and added the lightest touch of blusher.

Time to go She took a deep breath, soothed the faint onset of nerves, then collected the bouquet of tightly bunched white roses and walked to the head of the curved staircase to join Raúl at its base.

He stood tall and magnificently male, his muscular frame attired in a formal dark suit, crisp white shirt and silk tie.

The look on his face was something she’d hold fast in her heart for as long as she lived. Love, naked in all its facets. For her. Only her.

For a moment it seemed as if he rendered her boneless, then she offered a shaky smile, placed a hand on the balustrade and began to descend.

Teresa waited to one side, her features alive with happiness as Raúl took the stairs and met Gianna halfway, then caught hold of her hand and brought it to his lips.

Eyes as dark as sin captured and held her own. ‘Beautiful,’ he complimented huskily.

Everything faded into the periphery of her vision…the magnificent foyer, Teresa, everything.

There was only Raúl…the heart and essence of the man who would remain a constant throughout their life together…the electrifying knowledge that he was the other half of her soul…and that nothing, no one, would have the power to destroy what they shared.

‘Thank you.’ Quiet words that conveyed more, so much more than polite acknowledgement.

His mouth curved into a smile that transformed his features, and held her transfixed for several heart-stopping seconds as he sought her mouth with his own in a gentle evocative kiss that lingered a little too long…and left her with a delicious breathlessness she fought to control.

He trailed his lips over her cheek to hover at her ear. ‘Ready to do this?’

Gianna had never been more sure of anything in her life. ‘Yes.’

Raúl reached for her hand and threaded his fingers through her own as they descended the remaining stairs to the foyer, where Teresa came forward to embrace them both.

‘Bless you,’ Teresa said quietly, and blinked rapidly to dispel the threat of tears.

Raúl curved an arm around his mother’s waist, and together the three of them crossed the foyer to the lounge, where a few close friends had gathered in the presence of a priest.

The formal reaffirmation took place—solemn words delivered with meaningful intent—after which Raúl spoke his personal vows, his eyes never leaving Gianna’s own.

Heartfelt words which brought the shimmer of tears as she struggled to contain her composure.

Time stood still and it seemed as if they were the only two people in the room, with everything coalescing into this single moment.

There were words she’d rehearsed in her mind, except they weren’t the ones she uttered. Instead, she said what was in her heart…imprinted on her soul.

‘I gift you my love,’ she vowed quietly. ‘Everything, for as long as I live…and beyond.’

Her eyes dilated as Raúl cradled her face between both hands and kissed her with such incredible gentleness every that nerve-end deep within burst into vibrant life.

It seemed an age before he released her, and she stood feeling faintly bemused as a few of the guests clapped their approval and broke into delighted laughter.

The priest’s eyes twinkled as he blessed the rings, and Gianna’s lips parted as Raúl slid a ring studded with diamonds onto her finger, followed it with a magnificent solitaire. Then he removed a ring from his suit pocket and slid it onto a finger on her right hand.

Her original wedding ring—the one she’d removed and handed to him this morning…the one he’d chosen for her to keep. The new rings on her left hand signified a new beginning.

Her heart lurched a little as his eyes seared her own, dark, slumbrous with emotion.

Its significance didn’t escape her, and her eyes dilated as he took hold of her hands and brought both to his lips in a silent touching salutation, merging the past with the present, together with the promise of their future.

Then it was her turn to remove the circlet with its twin row of diamonds she’d bought as her gift for him, and she followed his lead by placing the new ring on his left hand, before slipping his original wedding ring onto his right hand.

Two minds that thought as one.

‘Eternity,’ she vowed gently, and followed his action by lifting his hands to her lips.

His eyes darkened measurably as he drew her close and kissed her so gently it almost brought her to tears.

Everything after that seemed an anti-climax, as guests were offered champagne, and there were toasts and good wishes exchanged. Raúl and Gianna mingled until Teresa requested everyone transfer to the dining room.

Fine food graced several serving dishes set at the formal table.

The staff had excelled themselves, providing succulent offerings to tempt the most discerning epicurean. Raúl was there—physically, mentally and emotionally connected to her in a way that made her heart sing. Evident in a look, a touch…almost as if they communicated without the need for words.

If she could mark her life by the number of best days, today ranked right at the top. For happiness, love, and a future filled with both.

Together, they would make it so.

A family with a child…children, Gianna amended, hugging the knowledge that the initial event might be closer than she’d anticipated.

Too soon, she cautioned silently. Much too soon to even confide the possibility. It had been an eventful few weeks…an understatement if ever there was one. Three days late with her monthly cycle didn’t necessarily equate to what she hoped, prayed it might mean.

Nevertheless, she merely took a sip of champagne, and stayed mainly with iced water. Did Raúl notice? Teresa? Anyone?

A wistful smile curved her lips as she pictured a little girl with blond curls being held in her father’s arms…a baby boy with Raúl’s dark eyes and the promise of growing in his father’s image.

Life…their future…stretched out in front of them. The path an adventure filled with joy, laughter and love.

Above all…love.

The forever kind.

Gianna felt the light brush of Raúl’s palm down her spine, and she spared him a soft sweet smile glimpsed the warmth apparent in his dark eyes, the silent question evident, and her lips widened with mischievous sensuality.

For one brief instant his eyes flared, and he leaned in close. ‘Soon the evening will end; the guests will leave.’ His hand slid up to gently cup her nape, and lingered there. ‘Then you will be at my mercy.’

‘Promise?’

‘You need to ask?’

No, she didn’t. Instead she placed a light hand on his thigh, felt the muscles flex beneath her fingers, and lightly trailed a path dangerously high before transferring it to her lap. ‘Careful, mi mujer,’ he warned gently.

‘Always.’

It was eleven when Teresa’s nurse appeared to escort her to bed. Teresa had coped well with the day’s excitement, and although she dispensed with any concern for her well-being, eventually she was unable to disguise her tiredness and flagging energy.

The catering staff departed, the guests discreetly brought the evening to a close around midnight, and when the last guest had departed Gianna waited as Raúl set the locks in place and activated the security system.

Without a word he swept her into his arms and crossed the foyer to the staircase.

A faint laugh emerged from her lips. ‘I can walk.’ A verbal protest that had little basis in intent. She loved his strength, the security of muscle and sinew, his clean male smell, the elusive cologne he used.

His lips brushed the top of her head as he ascended the stairs. ‘You’d deny me tradition?’

She knew she’d never deny him anything. ‘I’d hate anything to diminish your…er…’ She was hard pressed to contain the soft laughter threatening to escape her throat. ‘Performance,’ she finally managed as he reached the gallery and turned towards the guest wing.

It didn’t, as he ably proved again and again through what remained of the night…only to tease her awake in the early-morning hours.

Afterwards he held her close and shaped her slender curves, soothing her rapid breathing as she rested against him.

‘Is there anything you want to tell me?’

‘Your libido isn’t in question.’

Raúl lifted a quizzical eyebrow as he dropped a light kiss on her temple. ‘It’ll keep?’

Yes, it would.

‘Rest, querida,’ he bade her gently as he felt the sweet brush of her lips in silent acquiescence.

His, he vowed silently. Beautiful in mind and spirit.

More important to him than anything else in his world.

Something he would endorse every day for the rest of his life.