“It is, but it’s much different than this,” I said.
“Well, it’s yours for the night,” Christian said, pouring more champagne. I was giddy from all the bubbles.
“We’ll be leaving tonight, so the house is yours,” Martina explained.
I looked over at Ryan. His brows lifted. “That’s too kind.”
“It’s your wedding night. You don’t want people around for that,” Christian said with a waggle of his brows. “Do you remember our wedding night, my love?” He took Martina’s hand, bringing it to his lips, just like Ryan had done to me the night before.
Martina blushed. “Of course.” She looked at me and Ryan. “I know yours will be as magical.”
I felt my cheeks heat even though I knew there wouldn’t be any magic between me and Ryan tonight. He’d probably call his brothers to check in and then check on our flights to return home.
“We have a gift for you,” Christian said.
“This wedding is more than enough. It’s too much actually,” Ryan said.
“Nonsense. You need more than a wedding night; you need a honeymoon too.”
I glanced at Ryan whose head swiveled to look at me. Then we both looked at Christian and said simultaneously, “Honeymoon?”
11
Ryan
Jesus, I couldn’t go on a honeymoon.
“We’ve set up a whirlwind tour for you that includes Rome, Interlaken, Amsterdam and Paris,” Christian said, clearly delighted by his surprise. “You’ll be staying in the finest establishments—”
“A few we own,” Martina added.
“You’ll be able to experience Europe. I get the feeling you’ve never been here before, Kellie,” Christian said, sitting back as his servants set our meals in front of us.
I looked over at her, and she seemed hesitant to confirm that. I wasn’t sure why unless she was afraid it would encourage Christian. As much as I’d like to have her see Europe, I had to get home. This was a business trip, dammit.
I decided to step in. “You’ve been wonderful to us, really, Christian. Too good. As grateful as I am, I really must be getting back to San Diego. I was hoping we could finish our business while I was here—”
“The business is done,” he said with a wave of his hand. “I signed the papers and sent them to Strong Industries already. So, now that we’ve got a deal, you can take a week off with your lovely bride.”
There was an edge to his tone that I couldn’t quite be sure the meaning of. Was he saying I’d be ungrateful if I didn’t accept his generous gift? Or was he suggesting I’d be a terrible husband to not take my new wife on a trip around Europe.
“I’m sure your brothers can run things while you’re gone,” Martina added. “After all you have three brothers but only one wife.”
That was definitely a statement that I’d be a bad husband if I didn’t take Kellie on a honeymoon. My only hope was for Kellie to put the kibosh on this plan. “What do you think, honey?”
“Actually, it would be lovely to travel and aren’t those areas near where you plan to do business?” she said. I frowned as she was supposed to side with me.
Christian rolled his eyes. “Oh, mon dieu. She’s as bad as him.” He clapped his hands like he was getting the attention of two children. “Did you not just get married? Are you two so vain to think the world at Strong Incorporated will die if you’re not there?” He looked at his wife. “They’ll never have children.”
She patted his hand. “They’re young. They have time. We waited.”
“We did wait, but not because of business. We waited because we wanted to enjoy our love.”
He couldn’t undo the deal, but if he was this upset by my not taking a week, maybe I just needed to suck it up. And Kellie seemed game. It’s not like I’d be totally incommunicado. I had my phone, tablet and laptop. I could stay in touch with work. Plus, this was a treat for Kellie, and clearly, I owed her as she’d done her part much better than I had. Well, except for the kiss at the wedding. I felt pretty good about that one. But no, I shouldn’t be thinking about how wonderful she tasted and how soft her lips were.
“You’re right,” I gave in. “I’m sorry, honey.” I reached over and rubbed her back, trying to act like a husband who wanted to make amends with his wife. “We can take a week. Christian, you’re too good to us.”
He smiled. “Bravo! I’m so glad. I hope that our business dealings will lead us to be friends. I know my wife would someday like to visit California and the wild west.”