Spectral (27 page)

Her eyes lit up, and her face softened. She leaned down, kissing both of my cheeks. “I love you, too,
amore mio
. Happy birthday.”

Roman cleared his throat as the music broke off between tracks and Mom leaned in as if to whisper a secret. “He’s kind of cute, you know,” she teased.

I laughed. “Yeah, he’s not too bad, huh?” I glanced over at Roman and he jerked his head, and widened his eyes in a ‘hurry up, let’s go,’ kind of way.

“We’re just gonna step outside for a sec, okay?”

“Sure, just don’t be too long. Dinner’s cooking and everyone will want a chance to talk to you.”

“That’ll be awesome,” I said, happy that I’d finally get to meet everyone.

But
not before a little alone time with my guy.

I slipped my hand into Roman’s and stretched on tip-toes to whisper in his ear. “Let’s get some air.”

He twirled a finger around a lock of my hair. “With the way you look, I couldn’t deny anything you asked of me.”

“Anything?” I asked, waggling my eyebrows.

“Ahem.” Stefano strolled over with his girlfriend, meeting Roman with a fist bump. Stefano glanced at me. Sliding his arm around his girlfriend’s waist, he turned her in my direction.

“Hey, Jewel,” he said. “This is my girlfriend, Rachel.”

Rachel’s hazel eyes turned up at the edges in a smile. Leaning in to kiss both my cheeks Italian style, she whispered, “I hear you really cast a spell on that boy.” She jerked her thumb toward Roman.

I laughed. “I promise there were no spells used in the making of, well this.” I fanned my hands between Roman and me. We laughed.

“Hey, Rach,” Trish said, jumping in to hug her. “Wait ‘til you see Jewel’s mad Spectral skills.”

“Nah, I don’t want to be using those any time soon, Houdini,” I said with a laugh, happy to see my cousin again.

“Decided you’ve caused enough trouble for a lifetime, huh, Armageddon?” Stefano chuckled and raked his hand through his shaggy dark blond hair.

I rolled my eyes. “Funny, Stefano. Ha. Ha.”

Looping my arms through Rachel’s and Trish’s, I leaned in with a conspiratorial whisper, “What do ya think, guys? Maybe I
could
make an exception and use a little power of persuasion on that bad boy of Rachel’s. Get him to drop the sarcasm and like, put on a frilly apron, and help out in the kitchen or something?” I winked and we all burst out laughing.

Rachel slid her arm around Stefano’s waist and kissed his cheek. “Now that’s something I’d like to see,” she said with a grin.

Roman slipped his hand in mine, tugging me away. “We’ll see you guys in a few minutes,” he said to the others. “I need some alone time with my birthday girl.”

Laughing, the stress of the previous days fading away, we dashed out of the house into the fresh afternoon Venice air. The kiss of the warm sun embraced me, soft as fleece. I inhaled a deep breath.

“We’re free!” I said, spinning around, before jumping into Roman’s arms.

“Forever.” Roman’s face lit up into a smoldering smile, and then he playfully nipped at my neck. His warm breath fanned across my ear, sending tingles down my arms as he whispered, “Where would you like to go after the party,
Bella
?”

My chest fluttered. I’d be happy to go anywhere with Roman just as long as we were together. As an idea came to mind, I felt a giant smile cross my face. “Gondola ride!” I said with a laugh.

Roman smiled back, igniting the dimple in his cheek that I’d grown to love. Lacing his fingers into my hair, he bent his face toward mine, and cupped the back of my neck. “Anything for my butterfly,” he whispered, and then softly pressed his lips against mine. I melted into him, sinking into his kisses that I hoped would never end.