Chapter 119

Genevieve leaned back against the rough stone ledge of the hot tub, the warm water swirling gently around her after an hour of quiet soaking. She hadn’t entered the tub by herself, though. One by one, her roommates had gradually given in to the exhaustion of jet lag—Jada and Lucy had been collected by their husbands, while Alessio’s sisters were whisked away by their mother.

Tomorrow was her wedding day. No matter how many times she repeated this fact to herself, it still felt oddly unreal. Upstairs, her wedding dress hung quietly in the closet, waiting. Her nails were freshly painted, the meal carefully chosen, and her bouquet decided upon. In just a few hours, she had orchestrated the wedding she had always dreamed of—one of the many privileges that came with marrying a wealthy man.

A soft hum escaped her lips as her hands drifted lightly over the water’s surface. The sun had long disappeared beneath the horizon, leaving the night to settle softly around them. The bubbling water eased the tension from her back muscles, loosening the tight knots that had built up over the day. If she wasn’t careful, she thought, she might just drift off to sleep right here. Suddenly, she felt gentle fingers threading through her hair, and a shiver ran down her spine as warm lips brushed her forehead.

“You called me home, Siren,” Matteo murmured close to her ear. “What do you plan to do with me now?”

“Mmmm,” Genevieve responded with a teasing hum, feeling his hands slip beneath the water, fingers tracing the thin string of her bikini. “Why spoil the surprise?”

Opening her eyes, she smiled up at him, the glow of the moonlight catching the sparkle in her gaze.

He bent down, pressing a tender kiss to her lips. “How was your day, Weakness?” he asked softly.