Salvatore. Salvatore would be content to sit on this beach with Alexa all afternoon if his stomach would stop its growling. She leaned over to him and smiled. “What’s for dinner?” “Well, I gave Gloria the rest of the day off, so I was thinking we could whip something up together.” A spark lit in Alexa’s eyes, and he felt compelled to lean toward her. “That’s a great idea! I’d love to cook with you.” Before he had time to gather his wits after his daydream, she was on her feet and grabbing his arm. “Okay, but remember, you’re the expert, and I’m just here for assistance.” “I’ll take it.” She shuffled up the stairs and onto the porch. Dusk was in full swing, but her golden hair was shining in the dim evening light. Salvatore leaned back against the kitchen counter as she familiarized herself with the space. Occasionally, he would point out a cabinet or drawer where she could find what she was looking for, but she’d made herself at home, and he was content to watch her. “Here,”
Another long week had passed in the office, and Alexa was ready for the weekend. She and Salvatore corresponded by e-mail while at work, since it was readily available. She’d playfully used “Business Proposal” as the subject line for their current conversation that had been running for a week now. She read his latest e-mail and smiled. Miss Black, are you ready for our dinner tonight? He knew she’d been impatiently waiting for the date all week, so she coyly replied, I’ll bring the business proposal. A few minutes later, his response left her flushed. I’ll bring mine. Salvatore said he had a surprise date for her tonight, and after the long week she’d had, she was ready to see him. He’d made small remarks to his impending proposal all week, but he’d yet to actually propose. The suspense was thrilling. It was difficult to find time to see each other during the work week. They both made the most of the business hours so they could leave work at the office and enjoy the evenings. S
Roman stepped out of the busy kitchen to congratulate the newly engaged couple, and strangers offered well wishes as Alexa and Salvatore made their way from the restaurant later that night. A few reporters tried to ambush them at the door, but Salvatore’s bodyguard, Clayton, was quick to intercept them. Back in the quiet car with Salvatore, Alexa couldn’t contain her happiness as a single tear slid down her cheek, hidden by the darkness surrounding them. “Salvatore, I’m really glad we’re doing this together. I know a lot of times marriages don’t work out, and that scares me. But I think we have something special. I’ve been praying about where God is leading me, and I think this is where He’s guiding me—to you.” Salvatore grasped her left hand, adorned with the symbol of their commitment to each other, and rubbed his thumb over the diamonds. “I’ve been praying too. I’ve felt a peace about our relationship, and I know it’s because this is the time God chose for us. Now, it’s our turn
Salvatore. Salvatore watched Alexa as she greeted patrons entering the gala and wondered how he’d gotten so lucky. Dressed in a black evening gown that shimmered blue and silver in the light, Alexa was a vision of sophistication. She smiled and shook hands with Theodore Cain, a middle-aged man who owned Talaus, Inc., a company that produced medical devices. Salvatore had met Theodore Cain once before at a similar charity function, and the man was known for his generous donations. His mere presence meant this night might be a success for Alexa’s charity. The Seattle Pregnancy Test and Planning Center was growing by leaps and bounds, according to the details he’d gone over with Alexa while planning the gala this week. Her dedication to this cause was admirable, and he couldn’t deny she was making a huge impact in the area. Located next to the regional hospital, the center provided free testing, exams, and treatment for expecting mothers. Aside from the medical services, the teachin
The weekend after the gala, Salvatore was out of town for a business meeting in Chicago. Now that planning the gala was behind her, Alexa could focus on planning their wedding.Alexa texted Salvatore from the back seat of a black sedan as James drove her to pick up Lorie and Irene. They had an appointment with an exclusive wedding dress designer at ten in the morning and a meeting with the caterer at two in the afternoon.After the gala on Saturday, Alexa had attended Salvatore’s church with him, and she’d been pleased with her visit. The service was enlightening, the members were welcoming, and she’d felt a connection to the place immediately. It was a weight off her shoulders knowing their dilemma about which church to attend was settled. She loved her church, but she could see herself becoming an active member in Salvatore’s church as well.After the service, they’d driven back to Salvatore’s house for lunch where she’d had a wonderful idea.“Do you think we could have the wedding
SalvatoreSalvatore tapped his fingernail against his cuff link and continued to pace. It was his wedding day, a day he hadn’t been certain would come until recently.Aiden’s scowl grew deeper from the chair where he was sprawled in the room that had been designated for the groom’s side of the bridal party.Salvatore took a deep breath and placed his hands in his pockets to still his nervous tapping. He wasn’t sure why Aiden was here. Alexa’s brother had done nothing but cause her grief for the last two months, and Salvatore was having a difficult time reconciling with his future brother-in-law.He could guess that Aiden had only agreed to attend and be part of the wedding party to keep an eye on Alexa. Salvatore wasn’t naïve enough to turn his back on his potential enemy, and he’d wondered if he should adopt Aiden’s tactic of keeping your enemies close.Granted, he’d never made himself a threat to Aiden. Salvatore didn’t necessarily care to become buddies with Alexa’s brother after t
Alexa closed her eyes and felt the fresh morning breeze off the coast of Italy. Salvatore had chosen the perfect location for their week-long honeymoon. The private villa just south of Naples was the perfect hideaway. The coast was much different from the shores in Seattle or Bainbridge Island, but the changes fascinated her. The white-capped waves that crashed along the jagged cliffs had lulled her to sleep each night, and the terrace where she read her devotionals in the mornings provided the perfect view of the Mediterranean Sea. Alexa had awoken with the sun each morning on their vacation. Jetlag and the changes in her schedule were distracting enough to send her stirring at an earlier hour than Salvatore, so she used the time to study Scripture. She and Salvatore had taken a few journeys into the nearby towns, and although they had no neighbors to observe, she knew the villages were waking with the dawn. Pulling her blanket tighter around her shoulders, she stared at the pass
Salvatore Salvatore pulled Alexa closer in the back seat of the car as Clayton drove. Their flight had landed only a few minutes ago at Bradford, Inc.’s private hanger at the airport. Alexa had slept for most of the flight, and Salvatore was exhausted as well. They’d filled their honeymoon with adventures he would remember for the rest of his life. His brother, Eric, had been the one to push Salvatore out of his comfort zone before he died. When his brother was gone, he’d lost the will to have fun. Now, it seemed, Salvatore had a new friend to make memories with… for the rest of his life. Alexa held his hand as she looked out at the dreary day. Soft rain pelted the window, and her expression was one of exhaustion. “It feels strange being back home. It was only a week in Italy, but—” “But we’re coming home to a new life—together,” Salvatore finished the thought. “Exactly.” The car pulled up at Alexa’s condo, and she waited for Clayton to open the door for her. “I’ll call you