Public Marriage, Private Secrets - By Helen Bianchin Page 0,54
Main Beach?’
There was silence. ‘Your apartment?’
‘That’s the one.’
‘I’m dreaming. This is just one of those out there dreams, isn’t it? Any minute I’m going to wake up. OK, I’ll play. How much rent would you be asking?’
‘How much are you paying where you are?’
Annaliese named a figure, and Gianna adjusted it. ‘Do you think you can manage that?’
‘Yes!’
‘Then we have a deal. I’ll instruct my lawyer to draw up the paperwork, you check it with your lawyer, sign it, and courier it back to me.’
‘Would you mind very much if I call you back and confirm this is real?’
‘Do it. You have my cellphone number.’
‘Thank you.’
Gianna cut the call, then glanced up as Raúl entered the bedroom following his shower. ‘Done?’
‘Annaliese is ringing back.’
At that moment her cellphone pealed and she picked up, chuckled a little at the husky uncertainty in Annaliese’s voice before she reiterated the details. ‘I’ll e-mail you within the hour to confirm.’
‘You won’t regret this,’ Annaliese vowed fervently. ‘I’m unbelievably grateful. Did I already tell you this?’
Only three times. ‘I’m also grateful it’s going to be such a smooth transition.’
Following a few pleasantries, she ended the call, and rolled her shoulders
‘Tired?’
She turned towards him. ‘A little. It’s been an exciting day.’
‘Then let me see if I can ease some of the pressure, hmm?’
The warmth of his smile almost undid her, and she uttered a pleasurable sigh as he rested his hands on her shoulders and began to massage out the kinks, the stiffness.
It was late, and tomorrow would bring more of the same, with last-minute dress-fittings, various checks, helping Teresa field phone calls confirming guests’ acceptances, a final consultation re the menu.
Somewhere in amongst all that Gianna needed Miguel to drive her to the elite jeweller in downtown Palma to collect the ring she intended to gift Raúl.
His hands felt so good, and she let her head drop forward as he eased the silk robe from her shoulders, then removed her sleep tank and slipped his hands beneath the elasticised waist of her cotton sleep trousers.
‘This is easing pressure?’
‘Admiring your body.’
‘With your hands?’
‘Initially,’ he promised huskily, as he teased her lips with his own.
It was nice…better than nice. She closed her eyes and breathed him in, loving the way he shaped her body, lingering with erotic intent at each pleasure pulse. Sighed when he drew her down onto the bed and began trailing his lips to each breast in turn, savouring each taut peak before tracing a path to her waist, then low to gift her the most intimate kiss of all…lingering as he sought the sensitive folds and felt her response, the quickened breathing, the faint groan as she began to soar, and the cry when she reached her climax.
Afterwards she lay there, sated and complete. ‘What about you?’ she managed huskily, and saw his smile. ‘Another time, amante,’ he said gently as he gathered her close. ‘Now you need to sleep.’
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE day the reaffirmation of vows was to be held involved a flurry of activity which began to subside around mid-afternoon, as everything came together beautifully beneath Teresa’s direction.
The floral arrangements were a majestic attestation to skilled artistry, their placements superb in the large room Teresa had chosen to hold the ceremony. Chairs were meticulously lined in rows facing a table covered in white linen.
The catering firm duly arrived and were soon busy in the kitchen, while Elena, Teresa and Gianna made a final check of the formal dining room, where tables bore floral centerpieces and were set with exquisite crystal, bone china and silver flatware.
‘It looks beautiful,’ Gianna complimented as she gave Teresa a warm hug. ‘Thank you.’
‘My pleasure.’ Teresa cradled her face, then pressed her lips gently to each of Gianna’s cheeks in turn. ‘Now, go upstairs and get ready.’
Her suite held her bridal gown, encased in its protective dress-bag, with stilettos placed precisely in readiness, while exquisite new underwear reposed on the bed.
A slim velvet jeweller’s case was in clear sight, and she crossed the room and opened it with cautious fingers.
A stunning sapphire surrounded by diamonds on a delicate gold chain rested on a bed of white silk, and beside it were matching sapphire and diamond ear-studs.
The set Raúl had bid an astronomical amount for at the charity auction.
There was a card, and she picked it up with trembling fingers.
For my beautiful wife. All my love. Raúl.
Tears welled in her eyes, and she blinked rapidly to dispel them. She couldn’t, wouldn’t cry.
Shower, make-up, hair, then dress, she bade herself