Eventually, when we didn’t have any more food to give them, the Koi began to swim away, diving below the water lilies. “I really love this place.”
Danilo smiled—an honest, less guarded smile. “I’m glad. This is your home. I want you to feel comfortable.”
I glanced around. The garden was vast and meticulously kept. Bushes and stone walls kept it hidden from prying eyes. I could only make out the occasional roof of the surrounding houses, which seemed to be in a similar Victorian style.
“Irvington is an old neighborhood with many beautiful mansions,” Danilo said. “I can show you more of Indianapolis tomorrow.”
“Aren’t you busy with work?” I hadn’t expected a honeymoon, or any kind of attention, really.
Danilo gave me a tight smile. “I blocked the next few days for you. I’ll only have to do a few things I can’t postpone, but I wanted to give us time to get to know each other.”
I bit my lip. I hadn’t expected that. Samuel always called Danilo a workaholic, which was funny since he was the same way, so I’d assumed he’d return to business as usual right after our wedding.
“That sounds good,” I murmured.
We rose and stood across from each other for a moment. Without my heels, Danilo was a head taller and much broader than me. “Can I change things? Like decoration or furniture?”
Danilo hesitated, glancing back to the house. “Sure, but maybe you can tell me your plans beforehand.”
“You don’t have to worry that I’ll turn this into a pink, frilly girl’s dream. I’m not a little girl anymore.”
“Trust me, I noticed,” he murmured, his gaze sliding along my curves before they hit me with their toe-curling intensity. This less restrained side of Danilo startled me, but I appreciated it. I wasn’t sure how to handle it yet. It had come on too suddenly, and I couldn’t help wondering if he was forcing it to make amends for the past.
“Let me show you more of the property.”
I kept my arms wrapped loosely around my middle, and made sure to keep walking an arm’s length away from Danilo, so he wouldn’t try to take my hand. His touch wreaked havoc with my body, and I needed to keep a cool head, to take this slow and really allow Danilo to do what he’d promised.
Danilo led me around the patio to a huge winter garden encased in glass. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was the indoor swimming pool. Danilo opened the door for me. My jaw dropped at the size of the pool. It had Olympic dimensions. Palm trees in huge tubs decorated the corners, giving off a vacation feel.
“I try to work out here at least twice a week. It’s a good addition to the gym,” Danilo said, motioning toward the pool.
I itched to swim a few rounds in the pool but decided to wait for another day. A door at the back of the swim hall led back into the house. Danilo touched my back as he led me down the hallway. “Is this okay?” he murmured, his finger brushing my back to indicate what he meant.
I met his gaze. My first impulse was to say no, but it wouldn’t have been the truth. “I don’t mind.” In fact, I liked the gentle touch and how Danilo tried to make sure I felt comfortable. I regretted provoking him last night in my need to force a reaction out of him. But what was done was done, and we now had to figure out a way to go from here.
Danilo led me into a huge kitchen. “You can cook here whenever you like, but Theodora usually takes care of dinner. I only use the kitchen for breakfast. You’ll meet her and the rest of the staff when you return from your lunch.”
I nodded and followed Danilo back out and down the long corridor toward a living room, adjoining dining room, a library, and cigar lounge as well as a guest bathroom. “Where’s your office?” I asked eventually.
“Upstairs. I prefer the view over the gardens from up there.”
“The gardens are really lovely.” We paused in front of the staircase, Danilo’s palm still on my back.
“When do you need to leave for your date with the women?”
“In about an hour,” I said. “We’re meeting in the hotel restaurant.”
“I can drive you there and have a quick word with your father and brother. I’m sure I’ll find them in the bar with Dante. Will your parents and brother come over for dinner tonight?”
“Can they?” I asked hopefully.
“Of course. I’m sure they’ll be glad to see you again before they have to leave tomorrow.” Danilo moved even closer and cupped my cheek. “I told you I’m going to make it up to you. I’m invested in this marriage.”
His palm was warm and strong against my cheek. The way he sought my closeness like this after years of his distance felt reassuring. Still, I stepped back with a small smile, wanting to be the one to set the boundaries this time.