“Then I need some other goal. Something spectacular. Something that will impress you.”
“Impress me?” she said teasingly, “Most men would think it was enough to run a multibillion-dollar company.”
“It’s practically running itself, thankfully, so I can spend more time with you and Esme. But a man needs more than money,” he informed her loftily. “He needs a challenge.”
Tess considered. “You could decorate the apartment. Hire the household staff you keep claiming that we need. Start that venture capital fund you keep talking about.”
Stefano tilted his head, considering. Then he smiled. “Maybe later. For tonight, I’ve got something else in mind.” He leaned forward. “This is what I have planned for you after the baby’s asleep and everyone’s gone home tonight...”
He whispered some very provocative things in her ear.
“Why, Your Highness,” Tess said, pulling back with a blush. “I can’t believe you’d say such things.”
Stefano gave her a wicked grin. “Not just once,” he informed her. “Twice.”
Her eyes became round as saucers. “Are you serious?”
“Maybe three times, if I’m really on my game,” he whispered, and lowered his head to kiss her.
Then the doorbell rang, and he reluctantly let her go. They went to answer the door, to welcome their friends and family for their first dinner in their new home—even Cristiano Moretti, who’d somehow become a friend.
“After all,” Moretti had told him last week, shaking his head, “with wives like these, we men have to stick together, or we’ll be totally bowled over.” Stefano had nodded solemnly in agreement.
For the first time in his life, Stefano knew who he was meant to be. Tess had been right. A man wasn’t measured by wealth or power or the quality of his enemies. A man was defined by his love for family and friends. By the strength of his heart.
Tess was right about all kinds of things, Stefano thought, his lips tracing a smile. He looked down at her tenderly. He must be very competitive. Because, as they opened the door to the welcoming cheer of friends, Stefano suddenly knew his spectacular goal: For the rest of his life, he’d love his family more than any family had ever been loved before.
*