Chapter 136 HUBBY.
\~~~RAINA.
We lay there in the tangle of pillows and blankets, our bodies still humming from the intensity of what we'd just shared.
Luciano's chest rose and fell against my back, his arm draped possessively over my waist. The air inside the tent felt warm and heavy with our scents, mixed with the faint floral breeze slipping through the silk walls. I felt utterly content, like every piece of me had clicked back into place with him.
He shifted slightly, propping himself up on one elbow so he sat upright against the cushions. I rolled toward him, resting my head on his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart. His free arm came around me, pulling me closer, and he buried his nose in my hair, inhaling deeply. The gesture was so tender, and so intimate that made my own heart swell. I could stay like this forever, just feeling his warmth, his strength enveloping me.
“What made you plan this?” I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper. I tilted my head to look up at him, tracing lazy circles on his bare stomach with my fingertip. The lanterns cast a soft glow on his face, highlighting the faint stubble on his jaw and the way his eyes softened when they met mine.
Luciano smiled, that slow, genuine curve of his lips that always made my stomach flip. He tightened his hold on me, his thumb stroking my shoulder. “Baby, I'd give you the whole world if you so much as asked. Every inch of it, every secret, and every sunrise. This?” He gestured vaguely at the tent around us, the romantic setup that still amazed me. “This is just my way of proving how much I love you. I want to do right by you, Raina. After everything we've been through, you deserve to know you're my world.”
His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, chasing away the last remnants of old hurts. I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his arm, right where his muscles flexed under my lips. “I believe you,” I murmured. “And I love you for it. More than you know.”
Just then, my stomach let out a loud, traitorous growl, breaking the quiet intimacy. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I buried my face against his chest, embarrassed. Luciano chuckled, the sound deep and rumbling, vibrating through me. I couldn't help but laugh too, the sound bubbling up light and free. It felt good to laugh with him like this with no tension, and no guards up. Just pure, silly joy.
“We should eat,” he said, his voice laced with amusement. He kissed the top of my head before gently easing me upright. I sat up beside him, the cool air raising goosebumps on my skin, and glanced around the tent. Tucked in one corner was a neat stack of clothes he'd clearly packed for us, thoughtful as always. I picked out a casual gown, soft cotton that flowed loosely, perfect for the night air.
Luciano stood, wearing only a pair of shorts that hugged his hips just right. His body was all lean muscle and faint scars, a map of the battles he'd fought, and his arm, full of tattoos.
He held out his hand, and I took it, letting him pull me to my feet. We stepped outside together, the grass cool and damp under my bare feet. The clearing was bathed in moonlight, the flowers from earlier now swaying gently in the breeze.
We settled on the cushions around the table, sitting close enough that our thighs touched. Luciano poured us each a glass of wine, the deep red liquid catching the starlight. “To us,” he toasted, clinking his glass against mine. I smiled and sipped, the tart flavor bursting on my tongue.
Conversation flowed easily after that, light and unhurried. We talked about small things. About the way the stars looked brighter out here than in the city, how Viktor had grumbled the whole time setting up the tent but wouldn't admit it. I laughed when Luciano mimicked Viktor's stern face, his impression spot-on and exaggerated just enough to make it hilarious. “He acted like arranging flowers was a military operation,” Luciano said, grinning. “Gabriel made sure to capture every moment on his phone”
I nodded, popping a grape into my mouth. “It's sweet, in a gruff way. And Gabriel? He must have been thrilled to play matchmaker.”
We shared stories from our day-to-day lives, the little moments we'd missed during our time apart. I told him about a funny dream I'd had, something silly involving talking animals, and he threw his head back laughing, the sound making my heart ache with happiness. He fed me a piece of cheese, his fingers brushing my lips, and I returned the favor with a strawberry, watching his eyes darken just a bit with that familiar heat.
By the time we finished, my belly was full, and my soul even fuller. Luciano cleared the plates with a quick kiss to my knuckles, and we wandered back to the tent hand in hand.
Slipping under the sheets, I curled into his side, his arm around me like a shield. Sleep came easy, wrapped in his embrace, the world fading to just the rhythm of our breathing.
But sometime later, I stirred to the gentle shake of hands on my shoulder. My eyes fluttered open to the dim pre-dawn light filtering through the tent's top.
“Baby,” Luciano murmured softly, his lips brushing my temple in a feather-light kiss. His voice was low, coaxing, and full of quiet excitement.
I frowned, still half asleep, burrowing deeper into the pillow. “It’s too early,” I whispered, my words muffled. The warmth of the bed called to me, tempting me to drift off again.
“Come see something with me.” There was a smile in his tone, patient and loving. He didn't push, just waited, his fingers trailing lightly down my arm.
With a sleepy sigh, I let him pull the sheets aside gently. The cool air made me shiver, but he was there, helping me sit up and guiding me out of the tent. We stepped into the clearing, and I blinked against the soft light. The sky was just beginning to bleed gold and pink, streaks of color painting the horizon like a watercolor dream. The sun was peeking up, slow and majestic, turning the edges of the trees into silhouettes of fire.
I gasped quietly, my hand flying to my mouth. “This is…!” Words failed me as it was breathtaking, the kind of beauty that stole your breath and held it.
Luciano stood behind me, his hands on my shoulders, chin resting on my head. “This place has one of the best spots to see the sunrise and sunset,” he explained, his voice warm against my ear. “I figured you’d want to see it. Start our new beginning with something this beautiful.”
I turned my head to grin up at him, nodding enthusiastically. “I love this! It's perfect.” The colors deepened, oranges and purples mingling, and we watched in comfortable silence for a while, his arms wrapping around my waist from behind. The world felt vast and new, full of promise, and sharing it with him made it even better.
After a few minutes, I twisted in his hold to face him fully. Our eyes met, and without a word, I rose on my toes to kiss him shortly, a soft press of lips that lingered just enough to spark warmth in my chest. He tasted like sleep and wine, familiar and comforting.
“Good morning, Sunshine,” he said, pulling back with a smile that crinkled his eyes.
“Good morning, hubby,” I replied, the word slipping out playful and teasing.
His ears turned red immediately, a flush creeping up his neck. I stared, delighted, before bursting into laughter. “You’re blushing?” I poked his chest gently, unable to stop grinning.
He shrugged, trying to play it cool, but the color deepened. “It is not every day my wife calls me that,” he admitted, his voice gruff but affectionate. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking almost boyish in his embarrassment.
I laughed harder, the sound echoing lightly in the clearing, pulling him into a hug. “You better get ready then,” I teased, my arms tight around his middle. “Because you're stuck with me calling you that from now on.”
He hugged me back, his embrace strong and lingering this time, our bodies fitting together like puzzle pieces. The sunrise continued its show behind us, but in that moment, he was my light, and my warmth.