Kidnapping His Bride (15 page)

No matter what.

Chapter Ten

“I want you to meet my sister,” Rafe said nonchalantly over breakfast.

The fork slipped from Cat’s fingers, clattering on the plate with a loud clang. “What?”

He smiled, looking rather pleased with himself. He was gorgeous, sitting there with hair mussed by her fingers, his chest bare, clad in only navy blue pajama bottoms that hung low on his hips and made her want to push them off his intoxicating body so she could taste him everywhere.

Which she’d done. Repeatedly. All earlier inhibitions had flown out the window after spending so much time with Rafe all alone.

“We’ve been in this delicious little cocoon long enough, don’t you think? We’re flying out late tonight to return you to Italy. I’d like you to meet Stasia and her family while you’re still here and have the chance. I know she’ll adore you. I’m sure you’ll like you too.”

Nerves ate at her, evaporating her earlier ravenous appetite. Rafe was right. The last few days they’d done nothing but hide away in his apartment, go out for a quick bite to eat or order in and stay in bed. Naked. Or in the shower, or on the couch, against the wall…

Always naked. Making love repeatedly.

She’d never been happier. He’d already taken her cell phone away from her, had turned his off, and they’d spent their time focused on each other. Together. Sharing stories of their past, their present, though never daring to speak of their future. Both of them too afraid to break the spell that had settled over them after their first night together. When she’d given herself so freely to him.

Not that she regretted it, oh no. This man belonged to her just as much as she belonged to him. They were going to be married and forge a life together that would be filled with happiness and respect. The complete opposite of her parents’ marriage, the example she’d witnessed her entire life and been so desperately afraid of repeating.

There was no chance of that happening, now that she knew Rafe so well, so quickly. She knew he was a good man, thoughtful and kind, sexy and fun. He made her laugh, he made her weep with pleasure, and more than anything, he made her feel cherished.

Special. Loved.

They hadn’t spoken those words to each other and she knew it was too soon. Far too soon for them to make such important, life changing declarations. But deep in her heart, she knew. She was halfway—if not completely—in love with him already.

And she was fine with that. No, she was ecstatic. These last few days together were more than proof that their union was meant to be. She couldn’t wait to officially start their life together.

“What were you thinking?” she finally asked, trying her best to sound casual. But an unmistakable tremor crept into her voice, revealing her nerves. “Meeting them for lunch or something?”

“Exactly that.” He reached out, settled his hand over hers on the table and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t be nervous, love. Stasia is a sweetheart, her daughter will wrap you around her little finger with one cute smile and her husband is a good man. You’ll like them.”

But would they like her? They knew of her and Rafe’s somewhat messy situation and unusual past. Most likely, his sister was aware of the estrangement the last few years that mostly came from her sister. And from what Rafe told her, Matteo had tried his best to end their arrangement as well—all to protect Rafe, though, Rafe had explained. Matteo had always been afraid Rafe was going forward with something he didn’t want to do, that he felt obligated to do.

Exactly Cat’s fears too. To realize that Rafe wanted to be with her just as much as she wanted to be with him—albeit for different reasons then—but that they were on the same page now? It was a tremendous relief.

“I called her,” Rafe continued, pushing away his empty plate. The man had an appetite like no other. “And she said she’d love to meet us for a late lunch. Around two, she suggested. Does that work for you?”

Like she’d protest. “That would be fine.” She stared at her barely touched plate, wondering how she’d ever work up an appetite to eat lunch while under the scrutiny of an overprotective sister. She knew her own sister would be an absolute nightmare to deal with in a similar situation. She’d never want to subject Rafe to a meal with Annalisa, let alone a ten-minute brief meeting.

Of course, Stasia Westmore wasn’t anything like Annalisa. And Rafe wouldn’t lie to her, would he? If he believed his sister would approve of her, then she most likely would.

“Your worry over meeting Stasia is adorable.” Rafe lifted her hand and brought it to his mouth, dropping a soft kiss on her fingers. “After everything she’s been through, Stasia is the least judgmental person I know. If you make me happy, you’ll make her happy.”

Her heart tightened at his words. “Do I really make you happy, Rafe?”

He smiled, his eyes glowing as he drank her in. “That you have to ask is adorable too. What do you think? After everything we’ve shared over the last few days, do you think I’m happy?”

“It’s been amazing,” she confessed, her voice soft as she disentangled her hand from his. “But it’s been nothing but sex. Extraordinary sex, but still. Anyone would be happy with that, I would think.” Not that she knew. This experience was completely new and foreign.

“That’s not all it’s been between us and you know it.” He sounded irritated, which shocked her. “We’ve talked a lot. I’ve shared with you things I’ve never told anyone before, not even my brothers. And I tell those two bastards pretty much everything.”

A small smile teased the corner of her lips. “You’re right. I’m sorry. But…is that enough? We haven’t really talked about our future or made any plans. What’s next for us? When I return to Italy, are you just dropping me off and returning here? When will we next see each other again?”

“When do you want to see me again?”

“Oh no.” She shook her head, pursing her lips. “I’m not falling for that trap. You need to tell me what
you
want to do.” She feared if she revealed too much he’d use it against her. Or worse, tell her he wasn’t interested in pursuing their relationship toward marriage, though she knew she was being completely irrational, thinking this way. She’d always feared he’d use her feelings for him against her. Her father did it to her mother all the time.

She didn’t want to give Rafe that type of advantage.

“All right.” He took a deep breath. “First, we’ll take you home, and you can talk with your sister and mother. Perhaps your father too, if he’s decent enough to finally show up and spend a little time with his family.” He snorted, no doubt knowing he spoke of something that had zero chance of happening.

How she loved his irritation over her father’s deplorable behavior. She’d confessed all of Carlo Campioni’s sins, though Rafe knew many of them already. He’d immediately become her champion against her father—against her entire family.

She wondered if he knew how much she appreciated that.

“Then what?” she prodded.

“I’d hope you would let your family know that our arrangement is still moving forward. And that you wouldn’t mind giving your notice to quit working at Campioni.”

Her breath lodged in her throat, she was so overcome with what he said. He was breaking it down, everything she’d ever wanted from him, making it all a reality.

“If you want a large wedding, I would be more than happy to give that to you, Kitty Cat. But know this. I want you to move to New York as soon as possible. I can’t stand the thought of being apart from you for too long. If I had my way, we’d be married at the courthouse downtown tomorrow afternoon.” His cheeks turned ruddy, and she wondered if he was a little embarrassed to admit his eagerness to wed her.

His confession made her heart sing with joy. Unable to restrain herself, she lunged toward him, falling into his lap with a laugh, circling her arms around his neck so she could kiss him thoroughly. “That sounds wonderful,” she whispered against his lips after she broke the kiss.

“What part?” he asked, nipping at her lower lip with his teeth.

“All of it.” She licked him, a little sigh escaping her when he met her tongue with his.

“So you want a ridiculously grand wedding?” He sounded reluctant at the idea.

“No. Not at all. I want a ridiculously grand reception. I’d rather marry you at the courthouse.” She tried to deepen their sweet little kisses, but he pushed at her shoulder, putting some distance between them so he could study her.

“You’re serious.”

“Absolutely.” She nodded, her gaze never leaving his dear, handsome face. She’d grown to care so much for him over such a short amount of time. The acceleration of their relationship was frightening, but exhilarating too. It just felt so…right. “I know this has happened fast, but we’ve been promised to each other for so long, I’m not surprised. And when you know…”

“You know,” he finished for her. “You’ve always been the one for me, even when you thought you didn’t want me at all.”

“Yes. I realize that now.” She offered him a tremulous smile, tears threatening to fall. “I want to marry you, Rafe. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I don’t need a grand ceremony for us to prove our fidelity to each other or even an elaborate reception. Whatever you want, I want. But I want to do it with you and only you.”

He tightened his arms around her. “I’ll stay in Italy and help you finalize everything. Whatever personal items you need shipped to the States, how you want to handle your family, all of it, I’ll be there for you.”

“Oh Rafe.” Happiness exploded within her, making her lightheaded. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“I can’t either, but I’m glad for it.” He buried his face in her hair, breathing deep. She squeezed him close, overcome with emotion for this man. “Only a few days ago you’d been ready to end it.”

“I did end it,” she reminded him a laugh.

“Yes. But I wouldn’t let you. I’m rather stubborn. I don’t know if you’ve realized that yet.”

She pulled away to study him, knowing her raw, unfiltered emotions were written all over her face for him to see. And she didn’t care in the least. “Yes, I think I’ve realized it.”

“Good. Makes it easier to live with me, if you know what you’re dealing with.”

They both laughed, Rafe’s hand wandering lower until it slipped under his T-shirt that she wore, his fingers grazing the bare skin of her bottom. “Naked beneath my shirt, Kitty Cat?”

She nodded, her breath hitching when his fingers shifted to stroke between her legs, finding her damp with want. “Giving you easier access, since I’m always thinking of you.”

“A selfless move on your part, hmm?” He sounded doubtful, which was fine.

Wearing nothing beneath her clothes was just as much an advantage for her as it was for him.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy,” Stasia said with a slight shake of her head. “It’s like you can’t stop smiling. And you’re usually a big grump, Rafael. Don’t deny it.”

“Ah, thanks so much, sister dear. And I thought Matteo cornered the market on grumpy.” Nothing was going to get him down this afternoon, not even his little sister’s subtle insults. He was with the woman he was falling in love with, in a big, noisy restaurant in the middle of New York City. Watching her play with his niece, laugh at something his brother-in-law said, all the while her gaze never left pretty little Sofia.

He wondered what she might be like as a mother.

A wonderful one, he hadn’t a doubt. Seeing the delight in her eyes as she played with Sofia was enough to make him realize she would be perfect.

Cat was perfect in his eyes. At this moment, the woman could do no wrong.

“Oh, our big brother owns the market on grumpy, though my other big brother Alex could certainly challenge him for the title.” Stasia nudged his side. “You’ve been in a bit of snit these last few months, and you know it. That’s what I was referring to.”

His so-called snit had everything to do with Cat and not knowing what was going to happen between them. “I’m over it.”

“I can tell. And I think it has a little something to do with her.” Stasia waved her hand in Cat’s direction. “She’s lovely, Rafe. Nothing like the silly little shrew she’s been portrayed as.”

“And who’s told you she’s a silly little shrew?”

“Matteo,” Stasia answered with a shrug. “Well, more like he said he worried Catalina was turning into a shrew just like her big sister. Is Annalisa Campioni really that bad?”

“Worse than you could ever imagine.” He wasn’t lying. He dreaded speaking with her sister when he returned Cat to Italy. He knew Annalisa would be difficult, stubborn, impossible to reason with.

“Well, Cat is delightful. I like her a lot.” Stasia smiled. “She’s completely smitten with you.”

“I know.” Funny, how she hadn’t been just a few days ago. “I’m smitten with her as well, though.”

“I can tell.”

They spoke of their family, business matters, but he couldn’t focus. His thoughts were consumed with Cat. How close they’d become in only a few days. How responsive she was to his every sexual whim, how much she’d shared with him. Their future together looked bright and he wasn’t fighting it.

He could love this woman. Being married to her wouldn’t be a hardship. She was sweet, intelligent and sexy. Easy to laugh, easy to arouse—she was his perfect match. How had their fathers known?