I bit down on my lip. I wasn’t sure why, but when Garrett spoke like that to me, it did things deep in the pit of my stomach.

I looked into his eyes and whispered, “I’m not ashamed, Garrett. I…I enjoyed making you come like that.”

The moment that familiar smile of his spread across his face, I couldn’t help but want to drop to my knees and take him in my mouth again.

“I enjoyed it, too, more than you know. I see the look in your eyes, Buttercup, but we can’t. We have to get ready to head into the city. I have a surprise for you.”

My smile faded, and I couldn’t believe how disappointed I felt. I smiled weakly and said, “A surprise, huh?”

He nodded with excitement. “Get dressed, Em. We don’t have much time.”

I watched as he walked away from me, his sleeping pants barely hanging on by his hips. The way his toned body moved when he walked gave me shivers. I thought about last night in the bathtub where he’d made love to me and whispered to me all the places he was going to make love to me. The bathroom alone was incredibly romantic with a massive oval tub and marble everywhere. I closed my eyes and let out a moan. I could almost feel his lips on my body.

I never, ever want to leave Italy.

As we walked up to the gondola, I couldn’t help but notice Emma’s smile. The gondolier allowed me in first, so I could help Emma in after me. She was still grinning from ear to ear, and it caused me to smile.

“I’ve been wanting to take a gondola ride,” she said with excitement.

We took our seats, and I pulled Emma closer to me as the gondolier began singing a barcarole while he moved us along the Venetian Lagoon. His voice was smooth as silk, and he held both Emma and I captive with the beautiful song.

“Garrett, I never want to leave,” Emma whispered.

I kissed her forehead. “Neither do I, Em. Neither do I.”

The gondolier smiled. “Tale bella sposa. Così felice in amore.”

I laughed. “I got beautiful bride and love out of that.”

We all laughed.

The gondolier said, “Such a beautiful bride. So happy in love.”

Emma looked up, and when my eyes caught hers, my heart melted. Her eyes were filled with so much love and happiness.

“Yes, I am very happy in love,” she said.

I leaned down and kissed her forehead. “And you’re the most beautiful bride ever.”

After the gondola ride, we slowly made our way to a small restaurant that Charles had told me to take his daughter to. One of his doctor friends, John, had moved to Venice after meeting a girl from here and falling in love. They had opened up the restaurant a few years back, and Charles and Maria had been the first ones to eat there. I’d taken advantage of the friendship when I made arrangements for dinner this evening. John had told me I was not only going to score points with Emma, but with her father as well.

As we walked in, Emma and I both let out a gasp. The restaurant wasn’t very big, but it was completely empty. I had offered to pay John handsomely to have the restaurant somewhat private, but once he’d found out that Charles was my father-in-law, he’d said he would do it for an old friend.

“Garrett!” Emma placed her hand up to her mouth.

I really wanted to have the same reaction, but I had to play it cool. Holy shit. He did exactly what I said I had envisioned, even down to the flowers I mentioned.

She spun around and looked at me. “Did you arrange all of this?”

I smiled. “I had connections with the owner.”

I glanced up and saw John and his wife, Mary, standing there. I nodded my head and walked up to them. I shook John’s hand, and he brought me in for a hug.

“Is this what you had in mind?” he asked.

I pulled back and smiled. “It’s perfect, beyond perfect.” I turned slightly and kissed Mary on the cheek. “How in the world did y’all do this in one day?”

She laughed. “It’s amazing what can happen with true love as the driving force behind it.”

I looked back at John. “Do I owe you more for the flowers? They are covering the restaurant.”

He shook his head and glanced behind me. I turned to see Emma smelling all the flowers as she walked around the restaurant. She stopped at a picture and spun around quickly.

“My parents! Oh my gosh!” Her hands came up to her mouth. “John? Mary?”

John and Mary both chuckled as they walked up to Emma.

“Emma Rose, the last time I saw your beautiful face, you were running around, playing princess,” John said.

Emma smiled bigger. “Oh, I wasn’t even paying attention to the name of the restaurant when we walked up. I was hoping to visit.”

“Well, your husband here beat you to it. He stopped in yesterday and made all the arrangements for dinner,” Mary said as she hugged Emma. “Let’s get you seated, shall we?”

Emma nodded her head as we made our way over to a table in the middle of the restaurant.

Mary placed napkins down for both of us as she began to go over what we would be eating. “I’ve prepared baccalà mantecata with risotto and gnocchi. It’s my mother’s recipe.”

“Oh my, that all sounds heavenly, Mary,” Emma said.

She looked at John and smiled as he placed a Bellini down in front of Emma and then me. Emma had become addicted to the drink since having it the first night we’d arrived.

John cleared his throat. “I’ve been told the bride loves tiramisu.”

Emma laughed and looked at me.

“Yes, she does indeed,” I said.

“Then, I dare say you will have the best you’ve ever had this evening,” John said.

He and Mary excused themselves and headed to the kitchen.

Emma took a sip of her drink and raised her eyebrow at me. She placed the drink back on the table. “Garrett Thomas Mathews, this is the most romantic thing ever.”

I shook my head. “This isn’t your surprise, Em. That is still to come.”

Her eyes danced with fire as she looked at me. It took everything I had not to touch her right now. I wanted to pick her up and make love to her while surrounded by the beautiful candlelight and the smell of the flowers.

She looked down quickly but then looked back at me as she tilted her head. “Did you pick the flowers?”

I looked around and nodded my head. “I did.”

“They’re beautiful, Garrett,” she whispered.

“The white daisies represent your innocence. The orchids are for your beauty. The tulips represent our love and passion.”