Tuscan Heat Read online

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  The reception was held in the Martelli fields, a carpet of lush green grass surrounded by fields of red poppies. Rustic wooden tables draped with red runners sat beneath large arches of green ivy. Floral-covered spheres in bright orange, yellow and red hung from the arches, and the tables were decorated with gold-trimmed plates with the finest crystal and gold tableware. A dance floor had been set up on the lawn, and a small band was playing all of their favorite songs. The bright blue sky and the most incredible weather proved to be the perfect backdrop for their celebration.

  Gathered together, the family posed for a multitude of photographs to capture the memories. Mason’s wife, Phaedra, was their personal wedding photographer. Their guests dined on platters of roasted chicken, potatoes and vegetables, the meal completed with Gianna’s favorite lemon-filled cake and bottles of her father’s wine. Donovan and Gianna couldn’t stop grinning, everything about their day sheer perfection.

  Hours later Gianna pulled at Donovan’s arm. “Come dance with me again,” she pleaded.

  Donovan laughed. “I need a break, sweetheart! I can’t keep up with you.”

  Gianna feigned a pout. “I’ll have to find another man to dance with me, then.”

  He nodded, pointing toward his brothers. “Take your pick!”

  She leaned in to kiss his lips. As she did, she slipped a folded note into his pocket.

  Slipping his hand into the jacket, he gave her a curious look. “What’s this?”

  “Read your mail,” she said as she winked at him. She danced away, her hips twisting in a teasing shimmy.

  Pulling the note out of his pocket, he stepped away from the crowd and began to read.

  My dearest Donovan,

  Just hours ago I became Mrs. Gianna Boudreaux, and now I wear your family name proudly. I am blessed to have your love, and I am honored to stand by your side as your partner and companion.

  I pledge myself to you, heart and soul. I promise to be with you in happiness and strife. To love you in richness and debt. To be faithful, even when we are old and dull.

  Thank you for trusting me with your heart. I do not take that responsibility lightly. I will cherish you until we each take our last breath and then on into eternity.

  You, my darling, have given me my happily-ever-after, and for the very first time I can honestly say I know love because of you.

  Always and forever,

  Gianna

  PS: I think it would be good business for us to write a book of love letters. We’ll call it Tuscan Heat. I’ve written the first. I’ll wait for you to write the next.

  Immeasurable joy painted Donovan’s expression. Across the yard, Gianna met his stare and smiled. She lifted her hand and blew him a kiss. Pretending to catch it in his palm, he drew his closed fist to his heart and whispered the words I love you!

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  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Kimani Romance.

  You dream in vibrant hues! Harlequin Kimani Romance stories feature sophisticated, soulful and sensual African-American and multicultural heroes and heroines who develop fulfilling relationships as they lead lives full of drama, glamour and passion.

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  ISBN-13: 9781488003363

  Tuscan Heat

  Copyright © 2016 by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

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