Page 132 of Hostile Love
“You saw this, right?” He jokes, twisting his torso. “It's not hard to miss.”
I touch his bicep and instantly feel his body heat. An electric current charges through my hand and shoots straight to my chest as goosebumps burst over my bare skin. Matheus stops chuckling, sensing our chemistry growing red-hot.
Lunging at me, he shoves his hands into my hair, secures my head before him, and dives in for a slippery, wet kiss. The pressure starts off hard and hungry, then slowly reducing in intensity. He gently dips his tongue in and grazes my bottom lip.
My stomach swoops. I feel so happy and high—tingly and a hundred percent certain I will stay devoted to this man for the rest of my life.
The tip of his nose brushes mine.
“This dress needs to come off. Treehouse rules. No clothes until Tommy’s wedding tomorrow.”
“What will your brothers say about our engagement?” I ask, shrugging the straps off my shoulders and shuffling around so he can unzip me. “Do you think they’ll be happy for us?”
“They know I’d never be happy without you in my life,” he tells me, gently pulling the zipper. “I told Tommy I was going to propose, and he suggested doing it here. I gave him a list and Dante’s team set it up.”
I suck in a breath. “I can’t believe you planned all this…for me.”
“You’re worth it, Dani,” he says. “Wait until you see what’s inside.”
He stands and offers me his hand. I grab on and let him help me to my feet.
Before I get the chance to question what’s inside the treehouse, he sweeps me into his arms and carries me toward the front door, kicking it open.
“Well…are you going to tell me?” I smile, nuzzling his neck.
“What would you like to find?” he asks, his tone a touch darker and hinting at his filthy mood.
“All I need is you.”
“Good answer, little firecracker,” he murmurs. “Because that’s exactly what you’ve got.”
38
DANIELA
Clutching a modest bouquet of roses, I follow Sinéad and India into the airy wooden cabana held up on stilts.
Overhead, hanging from thick beams, curtains of dreamy white gauze flow from one side of the structure to the other, softening the sharp angles.
Sunlight bursts in through tall windows framing endless wilderness.
Pastel colored floral wreaths and enchanted potted trees fill the space, and over-the-top garlands drape the wooden walls.
If I hadn’t already studied my surroundings, I would have sworn I’d stumbled across a whimsical, wild garden.
The light material of my soft green bridesmaid dress swishes with every slow step. We take our time to cover a natural woven rug that directs us straight ahead.
I’m nervous for some reason.
Probably because this jungle adventure is so far left from my normal routine. Or maybe it’s the fact I’d be wearing a wedding dress one day soon. Walking down the aisle to marry a Souza.
Inwardly, I smile and palm the crazy flutters in my belly.
What a complete U-turn.
I guess miracles do happen.
Further inside the cabana, the suited Souza men are lined up under a statement arch packed full of ivory blooms and lush foliage.
