Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Maybe with time, the good memories will outweigh the bad ones.
When we reach the pool, Santiago stands up from his chair with a massive smile on his face. “Please tell me you didn’t just propose to Knight.”
“What makes you think I proposed?” Cassia asks as we stop by him.
He gestures at the view of the hill he has from his chair. “I saw you kneeling.”
She lets out a chuckle while shaking her head. “No, I didn’t propose, but…” she lifts her hand so he can see the ring, “Knight proposed to me, and I said yes.”
Santiago grabs hold of my shoulder, and I’m yanked into a hug as he exclaims, “Fuck, yes! I’m so happy for you.” He pushes me backward, and his eyes are filled with emotion as he looks at me. “No one deserves it more than you.”
He pats my cheek like a proud father before giving Cassia a quick hug. “Congratulations.”
“Champagne,” he calls out.
While he picks up a two-way radio, I say, “It’s eight o’clock in the morning.”
He presses the button, then orders, “Bring champagne and orange juice to the pool with a platter of sliced fruits.”
“Yes, Santiago,” Astrid, his housekeeper who’s been in his service for over fifteen years, replies over the radio. “Give me ten minutes.”
He takes a seat which has us sitting down as well, then he asks, “When is the wedding?”
“Soon,” Cassia answers.
“In Athens?”
She shakes her head. “We’re going to have something small on the island.”
“Fuck no,” he snaps. “We’ll have a big celebration here where you’re close to Ronnie.”
Cassia grabs hold of my arm while she replies, “Oh my God. Yes.” She gives him a questioning look. “You won’t mind?”
“Not at all. I have a whole village to get everything ready by…when?”
She looks at me. “Do we even have time?”
Fuck that. I’ll make time.
Knowing how quickly everyone on the compound can get ready for a party, I say, “We can stop here on the way back from the island after you’ve visited your aunt. That way, she can attend before heading home.”
Her eyes widen. “You want to have the wedding in three days?”
“Sounds good to me,” Santiago sides with me.
She shakes her head while a stunned chuckle escapes her. “Well, I suppose we’re getting married on Thursday.”
“Too soon for you?” I ask.
“No.” She leans against my side, and I press a kiss to her temple.
Astrid comes out with a cart containing champagne, orange juice, and a fruit platter.
“Thank you,” Santiago says as he climbs to his feet. He gestures at the fruit. “Help yourself.”
While Cassia takes a strawberry, he prepares our drinks.
I watch as her lips close over the red fruit and instantly start to get hard.
I’m definitely feeding her strawberries and cream next time we’re alone.
Not giving a shit that Santiago is here, I pick up a grape and bring it to her mouth. Her eyes flick to mine as she takes the fruit from me.
The moment is disrupted when Santiago brings two mimosas to us.
“Thank you,” Cassia says.
Santiago takes a seat again and says, “Here’s to a lifetime of happiness and success for you.”
We all take a sip, but it’s way too early for me, so I set my glass aside.
Santiago meets Cassia’s eyes. “Let’s talk decorations.”
She chuckles. “I haven’t thought that far.” She thinks for a moment, then says, “Black and red colors.”
“Pedro!” When Pedro appears, Santiago orders, “Take the men and buy every red flower you can find. I want truckloads.”
Pedro gives Santiago a what-the-fuck look but doesn’t argue and hurries off to get the job done.
“Let me have the invoice so I can reimburse you,” Cassia says.
Santiago waves his hand through the air. “Nonsense. It’s my gift to you.”
“Thank you,” she replies while giving him a warm smile.
I reach across and shake his hand. “We have to get going. Marina is expecting us.”
He nods and gets up to walk us to the SUV. “I’ll see you on the island for the meeting.” Placing his hand on Cassia’s shoulder, he adds, “Let me know if I can help with the wedding dress. A few of the women here are quite talented.”
She pauses, then says, “I have a dress. Thank you, though.”
We climb into the SUV, and as I steer the vehicle down the road, I ask, “You have a dress?”
She nods. “My mother knew my father was going to arrange a marriage for me, so we had her dress taken out of storage. I just need to get it to Peru.”
“Davies and the team can bring it through. I’d like them to be at the wedding.”
She lets out a breath of relief. “That solves one of the problems.” She digs her phone out of her pocket and dials a number. “Christakis, I need a huge favor. I’ll pay whatever it takes if you can have a formal suit for Knight ready by tomorrow. We’re getting married in three days…I know…It’s unexpected…I’d appreciate it so much.” She listens for a bit, then says, “Thank you. Let me know when it’s ready, and I’ll send someone to collect it.”