Marsala and Magnolias Read online

  “Do you want to wear it now?” asked Maria.

  She shook her head. She’d be scared to death to lose it.

  Antonio looked sad. “You don’t love it?”

  “I do. It’s beautiful, it’s just I think I should save it for best.”

  He gave her his sexiest smile. “You think there are better times than right here and right now?”

  She relaxed and smiled back. “Probably not.”

  Maria was watching them with a sappy smile on her face. “I’ll get you the box.”

  Antonio followed her to the front where she put a beautiful ornate box into a bag for him. Mary Ellen smiled to herself at the thought that she would have been thrilled if the box itself had been the gift. She busied herself looking at the displays while Maria rang him up, not wanting to hear how much she’d just cost him.

  Once they were back out on the street, he took hold of her hand and held it up, so he could admire the bracelet.

  “Thank you.” She smiled. “It’s beautiful.”

  “You deserve beautiful. Thank you for letting me. I wasn’t sure you would.”

  She reached up and planted a kiss on his lips. “Neither was I. It was hard for me to do that, but I know it’s part of who you are, and …”

  “And what?” He looked worried.

  She smiled. “I can always give it back when you break up with me.” She didn’t know if she expected him to look relieved or frustrated when she said that. Whatever she’d expected, he surprised her. He smiled happily. “Good.”

  “Good?”

  He chuckled. “Because I don’t ever want it back.”

  His words sent shivers down her spine as he held her gaze, and, for the first time, she believed him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Have I told you how beautiful you are?” Mary Ellen took his breath away as she came down the stairs. She’d been so quick getting ready that he’d thought she must be coming down for something she’d forgotten. As far as Antonio could see, she hadn’t forgotten a damned thing. She was wearing a long orange and yellow skirt that skimmed her feet. It covered everything, yet accentuated her figure perfectly. Her top was an off-the-shoulder number, white and demure, yet it featured her full breasts and only had him wanting to undress her here and now instead of taking her out to show her off.

  She smiled when she reached the bottom. “Not in the last hour or so. You can tell me again if you like. I love hearing it.”

  He got to his feet and went to her, placing his hands on her waist as he let his gaze travel over her. He drew in a deep breath, resisting the urge to pull her against him. “You, Mary Ellen, are beautiful. You’re perfect.”

  She laughed. “I’m a long way from perfect; for starters, there’s far too much of me to be perfect. Did you know I was on a diet when we started seeing each other? I need to get back to that soon. But, since beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I’ll take the beautiful part, thank you.”

  He shook his head with a frown. “Please don’t go on a diet. I love you just the way you are.” He realized what he’d said as soon as he said it, and held his breath, waiting for her reaction.

  She didn’t seem to notice, or if she did, she ignored it. “I have to go on a diet. I’ll only keep getting bigger if I don’t.”

  He shook his head and tightened his hands around her waist. “I’ve already told you I wish there was more of you. You’re curvy. A man wants something to fill his hands with.” He slid his hands around to cup her ass and smiled. “Perfect.”

  She wasn’t going for it. “You might like to fill your hands with it, but you know what they say, more than a handful’s a waste, and most men don’t like big.”

  He scowled. “Then most men are crazy. And why does it matter to you what they like?” He bit his lip as soon as he’d said it. He knew it could come across as jealous or possessive, and he supposed, in a way, it was. He didn’t want her to care what other men liked. He wanted her to be happy that he loved her body, that to him she was perfect.

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “I wasn’t saying it matters to me; I was simply saying what’s normal. Are you ready to go?”

  He hesitated for a moment. He wanted to push it. He wanted to make her understand how he felt, but there was no point. He’d have to take his time and make her see that he meant what he said, and all he could do was wait and hope that one day the way he saw her would be more important to her than what most men thought.

  He nodded. “Do you want to walk to the Boathouse?”

  She smiled, and all the tension left him. “Yeah, shall we? That way we can have a romantic walk back in the moonlight.

  He nodded, liking that idea, and wondering whether they’d make it back to the cabin before he could undress her. He’d love to see her naked in the moonlight—to make love under the stars.

  She snapped her fingers in front of his face. “Did I lose you? You just zoned out on me.”

  He gave her a guilty smile. “I was thinking about what we might do before we get back here.”

  She looked at him in surprise. “Outside?”

  He nodded. He could tell the thought turned her on. “If you want to? Under the moonlight. On the beach?”

  She nodded eagerly. “Or maybe here, on the deck, so we can run for cover if someone comes?”

  He chuckled. “Someone will come, all right.”

  She laughed. “You know what I mean.”

  “I do. Leave it to me. I’ll think of something.”

  She reached up and planted a kiss on his lips. “Let’s not stay out too late then.”

  “No? Why not?” He wanted to hear her say that the idea turned her on. He wanted her to tell him that she wanted him. “Does it turn you on?”

  She nodded and dropped her gaze. He titled her chin up so she had to look him in the eye. “Do I turn you on?”

  She nodded again. “You always have.”

  “I have?” That was a pleasant surprise. “I wouldn’t have believed you thought of me in that way before last weekend.”

  She gave an embarrassed laugh and stepped away from him. “Believe me, you have no idea.” She picked up her purse and let herself out of the cabin before he could catch up and ask her what she meant.

  ~ ~ ~

  Mary Ellen looked around the large group they were sitting with. She loved it! She loved this place. The resort was even better at night than it had been during the day. The restaurant opened up onto the deck over the water. The band had set up on a little stage under the stars. Moonlight reflected off the water behind them. It was awesome. She loved Antonio’s friends. She felt at home with them straight away and was amazed that, in such a large group, there was no one she didn’t like. They were an odd group, to say the least. All very different people, but the vibe of the group was wonderful. There was such warmth and friendship; she’d swear she could feel it in the air around them.

  Antonio had introduced her to his buddies and their wives. She could see why they were friends. Jack, Pete, and Nate were all good-looking, confident men—and they all seemed to know a lot about wine. She liked their wives. Emma was a sweetie who seemed to be quite taken with Antonio—and made no secret of it. Holly was cool, and Mary Ellen could see what Antonio had meant about Pete being a planner and organizer. She liked him, but she felt for Holly. She reminded Mary Ellen that perhaps she should go easier on Cameron at work. Lily was maybe her favorite, if only because of the way she was with her fiancé Nate. He was super hot and a real charmer. Antonio had told her that he used to be a real ladies’ man, but Lily was obviously confident in his affection, and anyone with eyes in their head couldn’t miss how hopelessly in love with her he was.

  She turned to look at Antonio. He was chatting with Dan, Jack’s brother, who was some kind of computer genius. Was it possible that he might feel like that about her someday—and that she could ever feel as confident about him as Lily did about Nate? She shook her head slightly. That seeme
d like a big ask.

  Missy, Dan’s wife, caught her eye from across the table. “Are you doing okay, hon?”

  Mary Ellen nodded at her. Of all of them, Missy was the one she related to the most. She was down-to-earth and spoke her mind. “I’m great, thanks.”

  Missy nodded. “Good. It can get bit overwhelming when we’re all out together.”

  Mary Ellen smiled. “I’m not one to get overwhelmed much.”

  Missy laughed. “Good. You’re going to have to get used to us if you and your husband buy a place up here.”

  Mary Ellen shook her head rapidly. “We’re not married.”

  “Oh!” Missy looked shocked. “Oh. Sorry. I thought …” She shook her head. “Don’t mind me. I got the wrong end of the stick.”

  Antonio turned and put his arm around Mary Ellen’s shoulders. “Please, don’t apologize, Missy. In fact, keep talking. The more she hears it, the more she might get used to the idea.”

  Mary Ellen turned to look up at him. He was joking, right? No. He had that look in his eyes again. He looked like he cared about her. Like he cared what she thought. Like what she thought about what he was saying right now might be very important to him. She smiled uncertainly, and he dropped a kiss on her lips. “Think about it.”

  She didn’t get chance to reply.

  Emma was standing behind her, tapping her on the shoulder. “Do you want to come and dance?”

  Mary Ellen looked around. Most of the girls were heading to the dance floor. Missy grinned at her from across the table. “Come on.”

  Antonio held her gaze for a moment. She couldn’t describe the look in his eyes, but she knew for certain he was serious. He wasn’t messing with her. All she had to figure out now was one, if she could allow herself to trust him, and two, this tiny detail of how she really felt about him. She’d had a crush on him forever. She knew he was good-looking. She knew she liked the guy he was turning out to be, but did that mean she was ready for something serious? Something as serious as him being her husband? She shuddered as she followed Missy and Emma out onto the dance floor. She loved the idea in her heart, but her practical mind would need to think long and hard about the reality.

  ~ ~ ~

  Jack grasped Antonio’s shoulder and grinned at him. “So, you’re about to join the rest of us?”

  He shrugged.

  “What do you mean, you don’t know?” asked Pete. “It’s plain as day, you’re besotted with her.”

  Antonio nodded and blew out a sigh. “I am, I’m not denying that. But, since you’re so knowledgeable about these things, do you think she feels the same way about me?”

  Nate laughed. “You’re not serious? You, the great Antonio Di Giovanni, aren’t sure if a woman’s into you? I thought it went without saying. Look at you. If I weren’t engaged, I’d be throwing my panties at you. You’re like your wines—you just get better with age.”

  Antonio had to laugh. “Thanks, Nate. It’s good to know you still love me. Or at least you’d jump into bed with me if you were a girl, but that’s kind of the point, isn’t it? There’s a difference. Is she into me? Yeah, sure, she is.” He swaggered his shoulders, making them laugh. “I’ve still got it. But I want more than that, and that’s new territory for me. Just because she’s into me, that doesn’t mean she wants more with me—does it? I mean, I’ve been into a lot of women …”

  Nate laughed. “You can say that again.”

  Antonio sighed. “I know, I know, but I wouldn’t have wanted anything serious with any of them. What if she feels that way about me? That I’m good for a quick bang, but that’s it?”

  The others all stared at him. No one spoke for a few moments. Which made him wonder. Was it true? Could they all see it? That she wasn’t into him for anything meaningful?

  He looked around at them all hopefully. To his surprise, the one who spoke up was Jack’s younger brother, Dan. He smiled at him shyly and nodded. “These guys don’t seem to have anything to say—for once. So, I’ll tell you what I think. I don’t think you’ve got anything to worry about. At least not about what she’d like to happen. You only need to watch, and you’ll understand. She’s into you in a physical way, but that’s easy to judge.” He smiled. “It seems to me you have enough experience with that to figure it out for yourself. But as for the two of you as people, she looks to you for reassurance—she looks to you before she answers questions. She looks at you when you’re talking to other people. She wants to know what you have to say, and she wants to be part of what you’re talking about. My guess is that she wants something serious with you, but she’s afraid to trust it. She doesn’t think you’re into being serious with anyone, and she doesn’t see herself as the only person in the world you could possibly get serious about.”

  Antonio stared at him for a long moment. He didn’t know Dan as well as the others, but he’d met him a few times over the years and respected his mind—he respected him even more in this moment.

  Jack grinned at them. “If that’s what Dan says, then that’s how it is. He’s the smartest one amongst us.”

  The others nodded.

  “Yeah.” Nate grinned at Dan. “He knows a damned sight more about women than I ever will.”

  Antonio raised an eyebrow at that and Dan smiled at him. “I don’t know even a tiny percentage of what Nate knows in one respect, but I don’t think you need any help in that area either. But you guys who’ve always been good with the ladies seem to forget that they’re people, too. They’re not a different species, although it can seem that way sometimes.” They all laughed at that. “You’re feeling unsure and insecure? You can bet she is, too. She’s finding her way just like you are, not knowing if you’re for real, or if she’s going to get hurt. The best thing you can do is treat her as your best friend. You’re not a man and a woman playing some chess game and trying to win each other’s hearts. You’re just two people trying to make their way through life and find happiness. All you can do is share everything, talk to each other, help each other and support each other.” He stopped and looked around at the others who were all staring at him. “That’s what I think, anyway, and now you can all start giving me shit.”

  Pete blew out a sigh. “No one’s going to give you any shit, Danny. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we’re wondering how you got so smart and wondering why, even though we know it, we forget that stuff sometimes.”

  Dan shrugged and took a drink of his beer. “We forget when we let other things get in the way—when we let work or life become more important. I’m just lucky, I guess. From the day I asked Miss to marry me, I swore to myself that I would never let anything be more important to me than her and Scotty.”

  Antonio had to swallow around the lump in his throat as he nodded. “Thanks, Dan.”

  The others nodded and mumbled their thanks, too. Jack lifted his glass in a toast. “Here’s to my little brother, the smartest guy and most unlikely agony aunt in the world.”

  They all laughed as they raised their glasses and the emotion of the moment passed, but Antonio was fairly sure that he wasn’t the only one on whom Dan’s words would leave a lasting impression.

  ~ ~ ~

  Despite having said they should leave early, they closed the place down, and Mary Ellen was sad to leave at the end of the night. It was the best night she’d had in a long time. She’d made a whole bunch of new friends—friends that she wanted to keep in touch with and get to know better, not just some passing acquaintances who happened to be married to Antonio’s friends. She hugged each and every one of them before they left.

  “You’d better be back soon,” said Missy. “I’ll have to come hunt you down otherwise, and I hate to fly, just ask Smoke.”

  Smoke laughed. “Yeah, do me a favor, Mary El? Come back, anything other than make me fly this one around.”

  Laura laughed as Missy wrinkled her nose at him. “Hey. You’re supposed to be nice and reassuring, remember? Not bitch about
me.”

  Smoke held his hands up. “Sorry, Miss, it’s been a long night. I just want to get my lady home.”

  Emma stepped forward for another hug. “Yeah, we have to get going now, too. Jack’s mom’s watching Isabel for us and I don’t like to be too late, but you’ve got my number. Call me, and come back soon, okay?”

  Mary Ellen nodded happily.

  Pete grasped Antonio’s shoulder as he smiled at her. “And do us all a favor and put this guy out of his misery?”

  Everyone turned and stared at him as though he’d put his foot in it, big time. Pete laughed. “I mean, he wants to buy a house here, help him pick one out, would you?”

  Everyone laughed, but Mary Ellen didn’t miss the look of relief on Antonio’s face at Pete’s explanation.

  Laura came and hugged her. “This was so much fun. I hope you do come back soon, but I’ll be over to see Piper next week, so we can catch up then.” She leaned in closer and spoke quietly. “If you want to be, I think you’ll be part of the family before long.”

  Mary Ellen didn’t know what to say. She smiled and nodded but had no words. They all seemed to think that she and Antonio were going to get together for real, for serious—she wasn’t sure she even wanted to think it out loud—that they’d get married?! Shivers ran down her spine. It was so far-fetched, and yet at the same time, it seemed so right. Until she remembered that less than two weeks ago she’d still thought of him as an arrogant prick.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Antonio took hold of her hand as they walked down the path to the water’s edge. It would lead them past all the little coves and beaches and back to the cabin. At the beginning of the night, he’d been looking forward to their walk home—looking forward to getting her naked and making love to her again. Now, that part seemed less important. He knew he could make love to her; he knew they’d both enjoy it. What he wasn’t sure of was whether he could make her fall in love with him. Did anyone ever make someone fall in love with them? Or did it just happen of its own accord? If it did, wouldn’t she feel it by now—like he did? He already knew he was in love with her. Seeing her tonight had only confirmed it for him. Watching her dance with the girls, talk business with Laura and Holly, talk babies with Emma. He sighed. She was at home with all of them. She was everything he wanted.