Page 100 of Masked Hearts

“Dinner? Didn’t you want to head to where we’re staying and change first?” I furrow my brows as I look at how casual both our outfits are. We’re both in sweat pants and hoodies, far from the ideal dress attire for a private dinner on a luxury yacht.

“No, I think you look perfect just like this,” he says as he helps me board the yacht.

Heat floods my cheeks. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the idea that he likes and accepts me in my most natural state—one where I don’t have to put on a show or try excessively hard. One where I can just be myself.

“Bonsoir, Mr. and Mrs. Vitale, a pleasure to have you on board. Please accept this complimentary champagne. Dinner will begin momentarily. Please feel free to explore the yacht in the interim,” a young man says as he holds out a tray with two glasses.

Antonio takes both before handing me one. “Thank you,” he says, then guides me off to the back of the yacht.

We stand, sipping the delicious bubbly liquid, as we watch the port slowly drift further and further away. It feels almost symbolic, like that’s our reality floating away as Antonio and I get lost in our little world.

“What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?” he asks, pulling me into his side.

“This might be the first time we’ve really been alone, without any prying eyes, and it just feels a little weird,” I say, looking up at him.

His soft, warm-beige skin looks sun kissed due to all of the sun we’ve been getting lately, and it enhances all of his usually strong facial features. But it’s his glasses that truly highlights them as they rest against his defined cheekbones.

“Good weird or bad weird?” He looks down at me, his eyes drinking me in.

I’ve never liked eye contact until I looked into Antonio’s eyes; something about the colour and the depth of his stare when he’s regarding me always renders me speechless.

“Good weird. Like there’s no pressure to be a certain way. We can just be us.”

“I like us.”

“I like us, too.” He smiles, leaning down to place a soft kiss on my lips. It’s exactly that: soft without the need to be anything more.

“Mr. and Mrs. Vitale, dinner is ready. Please follow me.” A voice breaks the kiss, and Antonio gestures for me to follow the man.

“I’ll never get tired of hearing anyone call you that. Mrs. Vitale,” he whispers in my ear as we walk through the hallway to another part of the boat. Soft, plush seats surround a dinner table, perfectly decorated, overlooking the river and the most gorgeous sunset ever.

“These are for you,” Antonio says, and I spin around to find him holding a bouquet of yellow marigolds and lavender flowers.

“Oh my word.” I’m rendered speechless as I take the stunning flowers that smell even better than they look. “Thank you.”

“It’s our favourite colours, so I thought they would work well together, like us.”

Like us.

If I could melt into a puddle on the floor, I would. Something about the man in front of me has me feeling every single emotion under the sun right now.

“They’re perfect.” I smile and take a seat.

The first course comes out, and we fall into a comfortable silence as we eat with the occasional small talk.

It feels so calm, so relaxing.

After we get through the main course, I take a second to just stare out at the still water where the sun is slowly dipping beyond the horizon, casting beautiful shades of orange across the sky and city.

Closing my eyes, I let the sound of the water and city consume me. It’s soft and oddly so natural, not a single thing out of place.

“It’s beautiful,” Antonio whispers next to me.

When I open my eyes, the sight I see is even better than the sunset. Antonio’s face is golden and glowing. His curls are a mess and the softest smile rests on his lips. It’s a heavenly sight, and it’s one I wish I could frame in a museum. Except on the other hand, I’m selfish, and I want no one else to experience this but me.

“So beautiful.” I sigh. His eyes fall to mine, and they seem the most relaxed I’ve ever seen them. “Do you think it’s better than an Italian sunset?”

He scoffs, and a sly grin creeping onto his lips. “You’ve never seen a Tevici sunset, especially not from my bedroom.”

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