Dawn, Dakota - Blessed Times Two (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (16 page)

which shows you that your love is real.’

“The witch removed her fingers from his temple then added, ‘Health, wealth, and love will bless you and your generations from this day forward.’”
Nonno
paused for a moment. “Ettore saw a bright blue light then nothing more. He woke to an empty boat.”

When
Nonno
didn’t continue, Branda asked, “What happened to the witch?”

Nonno
shrugged his broad shoulders. “We don’t know. Ettore never saw her again.”

Brows drawn together, Branda asked, “How did Ettore know he hadn’t dreamt the whole thing?”

Nonno
smiled. “That’s a good question. At first that is exactly what he thought, but that night when he undressed for bed, he looked down and saw a small hand print on his chest. It was located where she had placed her hand over his heart. He carried that mark until he found his
vero amore
. Once he claimed her with a licking kiss and the blessing came true, the hand print disappeared. The good witch was never seen again, but her blessing continues to this day.”

A few bottles of champagne were passed around the table and everyone poured themselves a glass.

Once they all had a glass,
Nonno
raised his. “To the good witch who blessed our family. May she be happy and well. Salute!”

“Salute!” They all drank to that then slowly went their separate ways.

At eleven,
Nonno
and
Nonna
said goodnight and headed to the guest bedroom where they were staying.

Gaven and Trent came up to Trey, Troy, and Branda and said their goodnights. They planned on going to the pub to see how many hotties were there.

“We’re going hottie chasing. So many women, so little time,” Trent replied.

Gaven chuckled. “You said that right, brother. Anyway, it was a fun party. It’s been nice catching up with the family. We even talked Cason and Carlo into coming with us. You guys are welcome to come if you want.”

“Not tonight. We’ll catch you there soon,” Trey answered as he soothingly stroked Branda’s shoulder.

Looking at Branda, Gaven said, “Welcome to the family. It’s a good one and we’re glad to have you in it.”

“Thank you. I’m glad to be a part of it.” Glancing over at Troy and Trey she said, “I’m about to go home, so if you two want to go to the pub for awhile it’s fine with me.”

Troy scowled.

Bemusement crossed Trent’s features. “I’d love to stay and find out what that is all about, but alas, Gaven already has Kitrina waiting on him. So unfortunately, we’ve got to go.”

Branda frowned in confusion. “Kitrina? I thought Gaven was dating Marla.”

Gaven smiled rakishly. “Marla’s already had her two dates. Katrina’s my date for tonight. I never date exclusively. See you guys later.”

With that said, all four men headed for the door.

Cutting her eyes over to Troy, she saw he was still scowling at her.

Swallowing hard, she looked to Trey for support.

Darn, none was coming from that quarter.

She headed toward their mom. “It’s been lovely meeting all of you. I’m afraid I have to be going. I have to work tomorrow.”

Trina gave her a big hug. “Are you still staying next door at the De Pescinas’?”

“Yes. The plan was for me to stay there until they come back to town.”

“That is good. At least you are not very far away. I enjoy their home almost as much as this one.” Trina’s blue eyes took on a happy shine. “Carisa and I use to spend hours by their pool practicing Italian while the children swam. She’s the best friend I’ve ever had. She taught me a lot about how the De Pescina and Cortino men think. Tomorrow I will teach you some of the things she taught me.”

“That sounds wonderful.” Raising a brow at the twins, she added, “Right now I seem to be in the dark about a lot of things.”

“Don’t worry. Bellina and I will teach you all you need to know.”

Troy groaned in chagrin. “Not Bellina. She’ll teach Branda bad things.”

Patting Troy’s arm, Trina scolded, “Don’t be ridiculous. Bellina has a heart of gold. She would never teach Branda anything bad, only what she needs to know to survive in a family full of men.”

“Ahem,” sounded from the doorway. Bellina stood in the doorway, arms crossed, looking ready to take on any challenge. “You know I’m right here, Troy. I’m not so old and deaf that I can’t hear you. Keep talking. It gives me inspiration. Oh, the things I will teach your lovely mate.”

Turning to look at his aunt, Troy said with great trepidation, “I was just joking,
la mia bella zia
.”

Humor sparkled in her gray eyes. “Oh, I see how it is. I’m your
beautiful aunt
now that you are afraid I’m going to show Branda how to handle you.” Seeing the concern on his face, she smiled and continued on in a mischievous voice. “Don’t worry, my handsome nephew, all will be well.”

Trey looked pained. “Branda is starting to look tired. I think we should take her next door.”

Taking his cue, Trina brushed a shiny, loose curl behind Branda’s ear. “We are very happy to have you in our family. We’ll talk about the wedding soon. You are coming for breakfast in the morning, no?”

Before Branda could answer, Troy spoke. “Yes. She’ll be here.”

Realizing Branda was about to leave, the men came over and started a round of hugs and kisses. Once the goodnights were all taken care of, Trina walked Branda to the door. Troy and Trey followed and said they’d walk her to the De Pescinas’.

As soon as they got into the house, the twins led her to the living room where they could all talk.

“That was a smooth move on your part, but don’t think this is over. You should be staying with us. Not over here,” Troy said gruffly.

“You’re so cute when you lose,” Branda observed.

“I didn’t lose. I’ve only had my plans delayed. You can move in tomorrow. We need to talk about the wedding anyway,” Troy replied smugly.

“I’m glad you brought this wedding up. Who is getting married?”

“We are, of course,” Troy answered. His expression said he didn’t understand how she could be confused at all.

Trey stepped in at that point. “I believe you forgot to ask her, dear brother.”

Troy continued to have an innocent appearance. “I don’t have to ask her. She’s our
vero amore.
Of course, she’ll marry into our family. It’s expected.”

“I know that, but you and Papa didn’t bring it to her attention before you announced it to the family. From the looks of her, I’d say you still need to ask her,” Trey advised.

Seeing Branda’s “I’m waiting” look, Troy humbly asked, “Will you marry me, Branda?”

Trey slapped Troy on the back of the head. “I think what he’s trying to say is that we need you more than the air we breathe.” Trey took her hands in his. “Our hearts are in your hands. Without you, we will be dead inside. You fill us up and make us whole. Will you marry him and share your love with us as we share our love with you forever and ever,
tesoro mio
?”

Teary-eyed, Branda agreed. “Yes, yes, I’ll marry Troy and share my love with the two of you forever and ever.”

Trey and Troy stood then helped Branda up.

Wrapping his arms around her, Trey bent and kissed her with such hunger she felt weakened. Troy came up behind her. Pulling her hair back and exposing her neck, he leaned down and placed little sucking kisses on her sensitive flesh.

Goosebumps dotted her arms and legs. They could work her body into submission so easily. No man had ever been able to make her feel this way. How did they do it? Troy’s hands moved slowly up her side then slid around and cupped her breasts. Before the haze of arousal totally took over, she wondered briefly how they had decided Troy would be the one to marry her.

Troy’s tongue delved into her ear. She felt her shirt being removed. Her mind went blank. A fiery need to be filled took over. Nimble fingers moved to Trey’s pants and worked them open. She purred in delight when she reached her hand in his pants and felt his velvety cock.

A husky chuckle sounded in her ear. “Let’s get you to a soft bed, my hungry little kitten. I love you.” Love radiated from Troy’s voice.

The lioness inside her purred its approval.

Chapter Eleven

Sitting at the De Pescinass table, Trey laced his fingers through Branda’s. Bringing them to his lips, he kissed her fingers. He was so happy they’d finally found her. She completed them. “You were great with our family this morning. They love you already.”

“I like them a lot. I was scared they wouldn’t like me.”

Her response touched his heart. She was so precious to him. “How could they not love you,
tesoro mio
? Your smile lights up the sky.”

“That’s sweet, but not everyone feels that way.” With a roll of her shoulder, she changed the subject. “You said Troy went to check on the hotel. What hotel? I thought you two owned the bookstore.”

“We do, but in total, our family owns three luxury hotels and two bookstores. He’s at the hotel today.”

An
O
shaped her lips. Her eyes cut to her tea glass then back to Trey. “Are all of your hotels here in Naples?”

“No. We have one here in Naples, one in New York City, and one in Sorrento, Italy. We have the one bookstore here and one in Sorrento.”

“You’re kidding me, right?”

A smile quirked the corner of his mouth. He loved how expressive her face was. “Nope. I’m not kidding.”

“You said luxury hotels, how so?”

“They have everything you could ask for. Businesses use them for conferences. People get married in them and hold their reception parties in them. That works out for everyone.” At her questioning look, he answered, “No drunks driving home. People who get married at our hotels have their parties afterward there, and their families stay overnight at the hotel. We also cater to the different functions held on our properties. All the hotels have internet, cable, a pool, and game rooms.”

“Wow. How large are the rooms? What do the rooms offer?”

The interest she showed in their businesses pleased him. Her business complemented theirs, which meant she needed to know all about theirs. “Different rooms offer different amenities. Some are purely focused on business with Internet, a desk with proper lighting to work at, all the things a person working away from home would need. Others are family oriented. We keep these rooms together in a separate wing. These rooms have gaming consoles, bean bag chairs, kid snacks, and they are decorated with kids in mind. We also have rooms for lovers. These rooms have extra-large beds, jet tubs big enough for four people, a mini-bar, low lighting, and plush carpet. All the things lovers need, including condoms.” At her look of surprise, he spread his arms and raised his shoulders. “Hey, people at parties and conferences unexpectedly get together at our hotels all the time. We try to make the experience as fun and safe as we can.”

“That makes sense. Actually I think it all sounds wonderful and very well thought out. How do you keep track of that many locations?” she queried with a slight frown.

“It’s a family business. We all have houses here and our parents and grandparents have houses in Italy as well. Papa keeps a close eye on the New York hotel and flies to Italy a lot.
Nonno
keeps a pretty close watch on the bookstore and hotel in Italy as well, because he lives there most of the year. Troy, Trent and I keep up with the bookstore and hotel here. Papa checks on the businesses here in town when he’s here as well. Sometimes we go to the other locations to check up on them. Trent also makes the rounds and keeps tabs on all the businesses.” His casual tone implied it was nothing at all.

“That sounds exhausting,” she replied in a shocked tone.

Thinking of other ways to get exhausted, he said softly, “I know many ways to exhaust you.” Dropping his eyes, he stared at her cleavage.

Her breath hitched in her throat. “Which ways would those be?”

Standing, he took her hand and led her down the hallway. “I’ll show you in the bedroom.”

In her bedroom, he closed the door behind them then led her to the bed. He unbuttoned her blouse then slid her arms out of it, dropping it to the floor. He moved his hands to the waistband of her jeans and glided the material down her legs and helped her out of them.

Stepping back, he looked at her standing there with a shy smile and a beautiful blush that went from the tops of her lace-covered breasts all the way to her cheeks. God, he loved her. “Outstanding.”

Moving to her, he cupped the back of her head in his hand and pulled her toward him. His lips came down and covered hers in a demanding kiss. The softness of her lips drove him crazy. Unleashing the beast within, he kissed her deeply, laving her lips with his tongue then nipping them with tender love bites.

Keeping her mouth busy with his, he moved his hands down her back and unhooked her bra. Peeling it off her, he dropped it to the floor. He glided his hands over her ribs and took the weight of her breasts. Their silky, firm weight begged for his attention. Feeling her legs tremble, Trey guided her to the bed. “Lay down in the middle, baby. Take your panties off slowly.”