Chapter 13: Interrupted bliss

Sydney:

"I have something for you, Cara," Ramon whispered into my ear as we sat in my bathtub, warm fragrant bubbles around us, still trying to recover from our latest round of torrid lovemaking. His hands softly massaged my sore muscles, pulling me deeper into a delicious gooey state. I've never been this relaxed and happy.

"What is it?" I asked, tilting my head back to look into his soft caramel eyes.

He grinned. "A little gift," his deep voice sent soft vibrations through my back.

I grinned too. "I love presents."

"I know, darling, and this one is very special." At that, he leaned down, capturing my lips in a slow, sensual kiss that had me squirming softly against him.

"When can I get it?" I whispered as soon as his lips left mine.

"As soon as we finish up here."

I bit my lip. "I'm excited to see what it is."

He beamed down at me. "Then I will draw this bath out for as long as I possibly can," he said and descended on my neck, laying soft wet kisses, while his big warm hands kneaded and plucked at my nipples, rolling them to hard aching points.

I moaned and all thoughts about his gift flew out of my mind.

~*~

Later, I sat in my bathrobe at my vanity, watching Ramon dig around in his suitcase, a white fluffy towel hanging off his lean hips.

His muscled back flexed as he continued to trifle through his things, I couldn't keep my eyes off him.

How did I get such a perfect guy?

I bit my lip softly as he glanced around and gave me a stomach-churning smile before continuing his search.

He is so sexy!

"Okay, Cara, ready to see your gift?" He suddenly said, turning to me with a wide smile, his hands hidden behind his back.

I nodded enthusiastically, excited to see what he hid.

He chuckled and sank down to sit beside me, revealing from behind him a polished wooden box that was a little bit bigger than my palm. It had a small silver key sticking out of the side.

Intrigued, I opened the box and immediately beamed. It was a music box.

A miniature man and a woman, both wound together in the middle of a sensual dance, were the centerpiece. I blinked, the dress the woman wore seemed very familiar.

My eyes widened as realization dawned over me. The woman was me. The blonde hair and dress now made sense, that was the bridesmaid dress I wore for Astrid's wedding, but that meant...

"Is it that you and I?" I asked, my voice tiny as I looked up into Ramon's beautiful eyes.

He nodded. "I wanted to keep that memory forever, and a photo wasn't enough."

I blinked, turning back to the music box, staring at the surreal rendition of Ramon's and I's first dance together.

"Turn the key, love," his soft voice whispered in my ear and I obeyed.

A soft tingling version of 'Helium by Sia' started playing as the miniature couple swung around slowly. My eyes teared, that was the same song we danced to at the wedding.

I can't believe he remembered.

"I love it," I whispered, my grip around the box tight. "I love it and I love you."

He blinked down at me in shock before breaking into a gut-wrenching smile.

"I love you too, Sydney."

~*~

"Come on, open up," I chided Ramon, holding a fork full of steak and kidney pie against his mouth. We sat in one of my favorite restaurants a few blocks from my apartment. It was Thursday and so far the week has been more than blissful. Ramon had picked me up from my office and insisted we eat out at least once before he returns back to Italy, also he was desperate to try English food.

Across the table, he gave me an adorable imploring look before slowly opening his mouth.

I fed him with a triumphant smile on my face. Outside the sun was setting, throwing beautiful colors through the clear sky.

"I was wrong, I like Italian food better," he said as soon as he swallowed, wiping his lips with his napkin.

I giggled. "I told you. You're too exotic to enjoy a wholesome steak and kidney pie, Mr. I Only Eat Gourmet Meals."

He rolled his eyes "I enjoy your cooking and you are not a Gourmet chef."

"I might as well be with all the stress I put into making them."

He laughed softly, before tweaking my nose. "You're my Gourmet chef."

I smirked "You're not allowed to charm me any longer, I'm already in love with you."

"I can't help it," he beamed at me.

I smiled widely. "Silken tongue."

He chuckled, but it was cut short by his phone ringing.

He glanced at the screen and grimaced. "It's Aaro. I've got to take this, baby."

"Sure, but don't take too long," I replied.

He pressed a soft kiss to my cheek before excusing himself.

I sat alone, finishing off the rest of the pie, concentrating on my food.

Suddenly an unfamiliar person slid into the chair opposite me.

I raised my head and peered at the unfamiliar heavily pregnant lady. She had shiny brown hair cropped short in a pixie cut, her narrowed grey eyes trained solely on me. She was pretty, but what was she doing here? And why was she looking at me like that?

"Sorry lady, but that seat is taken," I said, staring weirdly at her.

"I know," she spoke in a soft whispery voice, "I'm just here to talk to you."

I eyed her bulging belly. "Me? What for? I don't know you, do I?"

She shook her head, leaning forward. "You don't. But I know the man who was just sitting here."

My brow furrowed. "Ramon? How?"

I watched as she sucked in a breath before lifting a hand to her belly. "He's the father of my baby."