CHAPTER FIFTEEN
I need this day tobe over, and the night to begin. Gia has me hard twenty-four-seven with no sexual release in over a week. Not since before I left for San Diego to bring her home. By the way she responded to my touch last night, I can only imagine how powerful her orgasm will be with my dick inside her.
“Boss, Elena is asking to see you.”
My cousin has been a lifesaver and a pain in my ass. She insisted I hire a team to do Gia’s hair and nails and all the other girl shit. Gia didn’t complain about being pampered, so I allowed it.
I haven’t seen the women all day, but I did walk in on Maria singing in the kitchen. Normally she’s as quiet as a mouse. Obedient and serious around me. She fears me, as do all my employees. As they should. Not that I’ve ever abused or mistreated them.
It’s my bark, as Gia likes to call it. I find myself internally grinning at a lot of things Gia likes to say.
“Send her in.” Elena, like Gia, would have pushed her way through my security regardless.
“You’re here.” Elena rushes over to me and kisses both cheeks.
I tense. “Where’s Gia?”
“Not a chance, cousin.”
“Why? What happened?”
“Wow. You do have it bad. I’ve been skeptical, but Gia’s on edge as well. I’ve never seen a more eager bride and groom. Not that I’ve seen too many. Only the ones who get married at the wine—”
“Elena.”
She stops her ramble and drops her flailing arms. “Rocco? What is it? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“You come storming into my office surprised I’m here. Why? Is Gia okay?”
Her face softens. “Well, holy shit. You really love her, don’t you?”
Love? Hell no. Not that I can admit that to Elena. “We’re about to get married. You’re sure she’s okay?”
“She’s stunning in her gown. I really like her, Rocco. She’s not stuck up.”
I let go of the tension in my shoulders. “Why would you think she’d be stuck up?”
Elena pats my cheek. “Because you are, and I can’t imagine how you managed to trap a sweet girl like Gia into falling for you. You must have another side you keep hidden and only share with her.”
If only she knew how close to the truth she is. Minus Gia falling for me. “Trust me. She has an edge to her.”
“I believe it. She’d have to in order to put up with you. I do like her. She’s been so nice to everyone, not pretentious like you’d think a woman marrying a billionaire would be. She not only thanked the hair stylist, nail stylist, and her masseuse, but she talked with them the entire time, asking about their families, what they did for fun. Like she really cared. She’s sweet.”
She is. And I’m an asshole. I owe it to her to do something nice, especially since I haven’t told her the entire truth yet. Lies by omission. She’d accused me and is correct. I’ll tell her when the time is right. Letting her know the entire truth will only put her into another panic attack.
Not that I care one way or another. I can’t afford to care. Caring has nothing to do with our arrangement.
“What is it you wanted, Elena?”
“Geesh. I thought maybe on your wedding day you wouldn’t be such a grouch. Nervous?”
“I don’t get nervous.” I stretch my neck and straighten my black silk tie. “I’m ready. Tell Gia it’s time.”
I hadn’t lied to my cousin. It’s not nerves about our temporary nuptials that have my stomach in knots. It’s the reality that my years of work, research, and planning are finally coming together. The end is near.
I escort Elena to the door and give her a kiss on the cheek before heading outside to the back patio. My cousin wanted a large affair at the vineyard hall. She’s hosted hundreds of weddings and events there. Since Gia and I want as few people as possible to witness our sham of a marriage, we chose to say our nuptials under the veranda by my mother’s gardens.
Marco, Tio, and Lucca stand to the side looking like groomsmen, but in reality, they’re my bodyguards. Gia’s too. Father Paul Michael stands under the veranda, a Bible in his hands. I approach him and reach out my hand.