Lissa’s arms were around him, holding on tight. She did that. She gave him that. Holding on to him, wrapping him up with legs and arms. Her high heels were locked around his back, the silk of her stockings rubbing sensuously over his ribs.
“This has been a perfect day,” she whispered. “Thank you.”
She’d just come hard for him four times and she was thanking him. Casimir was lost in her beauty for a moment, nuzzling her neck, kissing her jaw and then slowly easing his weight from her to kiss his way down the slope of one breast even as he glided gently in and out, prolonging the pleasure just a little longer for both of them.
“I love you, Giacinta Prakenskii. You gave me life. Purpose.” He gave her the stark truth, because she deserved it. “Somewhere in all the roles I played, I lost myself. And then there you were on that airplane, so sweet and kind to that most annoying man seated next to you.” He eased out of her, sliding to his knees beside the couch, looking at his woman. Savoring the sight of her. Committing it to memory. He never wanted to forget this moment. The picture of her sprawled out on the couch, so sexy, thoroughly taken, thoroughly loved.
“You were annoying. I did consider accidentally sticking a fork in you.”
He laughed. Happy. Truly happy. He helped her to straighten her legs and put them on the floor so he could pull her into a standing position. “The bathroom is right over there.” He indicated a door.
She stood in front of him, her hands framing his face while he looked up at her. “In case I didn’t tell you, I’m madly in love with you.” She brushed a kiss along his forehead. “I’m not certain where my clothes are. I can’t get back into my wedding dress.”
He laughed and stood up. He’d set a small bag just inside the door. “Grab one of my shirts. I brought a couple because if you said yes, I knew you’d need something to wear, not that I’d mind in the least if you wanted to walk around just as you are.”
“I’m leaking everywhere.”
“I like that. Me. In you. That works for me.”
She laughed softly and walked to the bag in her silver heels and silk stockings. He watched her, unable to take his eyes from the woman who had changed his life just by seeing him. Recognizing he was real when he’d long ago given up on himself. She was so beautiful. All of her. Inside and out.
He marveled at that. She’d lost everything. Been betrayed by the two people she loved. She had to have had a difficult childhood, being trained as an assassin and set on a course of vengeance for her uncle. None of that had corrupted her. She was pure light to him, a fire that burned hot and bright, cleansing him.
He found the second bathroom and took a quick shower before pulling on a pair of jeans and nothing else. Dinner would be delivered soon. He’d chosen that carefully as well. To surprise her, he’d ordered a mini, traditional wedding cake. The cake he chose was that of millifoglie, layers of a kind of filo pastry, very, very thin, intermixed with light cream, chocolate and mascarpone, topped with fresh berries and a slight dusting of powdered sugar.
He’d left instructions for the champagne to be chilling. There should be strawberries and whipped cream in the refrigerator. He had plans for both items much later. Strawberries mixed with her honey and the cream sounded like a great combination to him. His mouth watered, just thinking about it as he hung up her wedding gown and his suit.
She emerged from the bathroom dressed in one of his tees, a dark navy that fit like a long dress on her. Barefoot, no makeup, her hair wild, cascading down her back in a fiery sheet of red. “They have everything, really good shampoo and a hair dryer. Toothpaste. Even toothbrushes in packages.” She grinned at him. “No underwear though. I left my lace ones hanging on the shower curtain all nice and clean, but not dry enough to wear.”
“You don’t need panties,” Casimir assured her. He had to kiss her because she was too tempting looking the way she did. She looked innocent yet, to him, she was a sexy temptress. “They have a pool. We can lie in the sun.” He glanced at his watch. “We’ve got two hours before dinner will be delivered.” He held out his hand.
She didn’t hesitate, reaching for his hand, threading her fingers through his. He drew her to his side and wrapped his arm around her, holding her there. Pressing a kiss onto the top of her bright hair, he led her down the hallway, outside into the sun. The series of patios led to the long, endless pool. The water looked as if it poured over the edge into the deep turquoise sea below. Loungers lined one side of the pool with a few unopened umbrellas scattered here and there just in case shade was desired. Outside was quiet and very tranquil with the sound of the water looping endlessly.