If I could, I’d freeze time and stay in this moment forever.

Lukas leans forward and kisses my lips. He pushes his tongue into my mouth. I can feel myself getting wetter when I taste myself all over him.

God, this is so hot.

By the way my pulse is escalating and Lukas’ chest is throbbing under my hand as our lips continue to make love, I’m sure we’re going for round two.

But the blaring sound of Lukas’ ringing phone jerks us apart. He releases a heavy breath before grabbing it from the nightstand.

“Fuck. It’s Mr. Big. He’s waiting for me at the reception desk. I’m supposed to see the premises with him.” He gets up from the bed in a rush, and I can’t hold my laugh.

A grin appears on his lips. “You’re making me lose focus.”

“Don’t tell anyone else, otherwise you’ll ruin your reputation as the daredevil.”

“Brat.” He slides his phone back onto the nightstand and throws his pillow at me.

I can’t hold back my giggles as he strides to the bathroom to get ready.

* * *

“What’s up with you?” Suzie asks after handing me a plate of breakfast.

“What do you mean?” I cut through the soft and moist waffle. I didn’t know sex could increase my appetite so much.

“You look different,” Suzie says, and I glance back at her as she’s staring at me with wide eyes.

Right then, Mom saunters into the kitchen, saving me from Suzie’s sharp, sex-detecting gaze.

“Hey, Suz, is there some for me too? Jasper left for the clinic early, and I didn’t want to cook anything this morning.”

Before the words are out of Mom’s mouth, Suzie is fixing a plate for her.

“I was wondering how long you’d be able to stay away from the inn,” I mumble as Mom kisses my cheek.

We both grab our breakfast plates and leave for the office. I open the door, and Mom looks at the planning board where Chiara and I worked yesterday.

“Is it really final?” Mom asks in a low voice. Like me, she too is having a hard time believing that Maddy wants to marry here. Yesterday, I told Mom everything about our meeting with Maya and Andy. I knew she wouldn’t be able to resist joining in on the planning.

“Yeah.” I take a seat on the couch and Mom follows. I place my breakfast plate onto the coffee table and hand Mom the check Maya gave me. “They already paid the advance.”

Mom’s hands shake and her face pales, but her response isn’t unexpected. I’m sure she’s already thinking of and dreading the worst. I hold her free hand in mine.