"I know nothing about art, Angel, but anything you need from me, let me know." Her smile is my salvation. My forgiveness for all of the ugliness I have done and will continue to do.
"Thank you, Julio." Her hands rest on mine, and everything in my life up until this moment is without reason. She is the reason I was given this life. I was never going to be a nine-to-five type of guy, sitting behind a computer answering to some stuffed shirt. No, that wasn't my path, either by example or by desire. I always knew I would end up in this life because it is what called to me, and it is what I knew. I just wanted nothing to do with the Coronado's even though they were my own blood. Now though, now I know why this was my path… it is so I can provide for my family both financially and in protection. She sits back and looks out the window. Her mind has drifted, and it is obvious something is either bothering her or she feels like she can't ask. Before I can voice it, she turns back to me. "Where are we going?" She is always so curious, and that is something I love about her.
"We are having a picnic." Holy shit. The squeal she lets out is sharp and loud. I damn near want to cover my ears, but then it would block out the joy she shares with me. I would take any amount of pain to be with her.
"Oh my gosh. Are you serious?"
"As fuck baby."
"That is so sweet. I love picnics." She looks in the back seat and frowns before turning back to me. Her eyebrow goes up in skepticism, and I chuckle. How astute of her noticing there is no picnic basket in the back.
"It will all be waiting for us at our destination." Her cheeks pinken, and I find I want to lick that rosy glow off her face and replace it with sweat and lust.
The rest of the twenty-minute ride is quiet but filled with a comfortable, happy silence. The minute we pull up to the Miami Botanical Gardens, her excitement becomes loud once again. "Julio, it is beautiful. Oh my god." She damn near trips out of the car trying to get out instead of waiting for me. Luckily, I was already on my way around and caught her. She looks at me and smirks when I growl at her.
"Fucking wait for me, Angel. Shit." She smacks my chest and kisses my chin.
"I am fine, babe. You will always catch me." I grunt my agreement but still don't fucking like it. Putting her hand in mine, she practically drags me to the door of our destination, and I have to hold back my own glee. I love seeing her so happy. Everything about her glows.
"Mr. and Mrs. Barbieri, welcome." Her gaze shows reprimand for the lie, but I don't give two fucks. She is my wife in my mind and will be on paper soon.
"Thank you. Have the directions been followed?"
"To the last detail." the manager nods as he begins walking.
"Excellent. Please show us the way." Her eyes convey her questions, but I simply kiss the side of her head and urge her to follow the manager. Of course, the walk to our spot takes exponentially longer because my Angel wants to stop at every glass pavilion inside to look at the different species of plants and flowers found inside. Her infectious enthusiasm is like lice. It spreads rapidly and without prejudice. Hell, even the manager is pulled into it. At every stop, she asks him questions peppering him with information as well. Her knowledge on all things arts and nature are amazing. Her brain is just as sexy as the rest of her. How the fuck did she become mine again?
"Sir, your room." We stop at a pavilion filled with different colored roses and Lilies. I requested glass mirrors be added to the ceiling for a very specific purpose and that once we are inside of the room, the glass be fogged for privacy and the door locked.
"Julio, oh my God. This is.." she spins around, taking everything in, and I am frozen in place. I call her Angel because that is what she is to me, but right now, body covered in pink, her gold spun hair spinning behind her, reflections of the room highlighting her in a glow unlike anything I have ever seen, gives new meaning to the name. I want to go to her, pull her in my arms, strip her clothes from her body and fuck her in a bed of roses but first… "Huh." I know the moment she sees it. She has stopped spinning and is looking up at the mirrors on the ceiling. I would go and stare beside her, but I know what she is seeing.