His Tesoro: An Arranged Marriage Age Gap Mafia Romance (Empire of Royals Book 1)
His Tesoro: Chapter 77

Matteo was glued to my side in the water as manta rays swam below us. I stretched out my hand, giddy with excitement. The water was perfectly warm and gentle on my joints. I could stay in here forever.

An entire world existed beneath us, and I was mesmerized. I jolted as a sea turtle swam towards us, grabbing Matteo’s hand in excitement. His fingers skimmed down my back as the turtle lazily cut through the water. A tiny thrill of excitement and nervousness went through me as it got closer, and I clutched Matteo’s hand harder.

Eventually, it was time for us to return to the boat. My lip jutted out in a pout as Matteo tugged us back.

“Don’t give me that face, tesoro. We have to get back and get ready for dinner. But we can snorkel again before we leave.” He helped me onto the boat and wrapped me in a towel before I sat down on a cushioned bench.

“I’d like that. And now I can cross snorkeling off my list. Maybe I should add scuba diving to the next one.”

He pulled me tight to his side. “No.”

“What? Why?”

“It’s dangerous.”

“I’m pretty sure it’s perfectly safe.”

His jaw clenched again. “Don’t test me, tesoro.”

“Or what?”

His growl vibrated against my throat as he nipped my skin, and I smiled. I loved pushing him because it usually just led to him tying me up in bed or spanking my ass.

“What plans do we have for the rest of the day?” A few days ago, we’d kayaked around the island. Well, I’d sat in the front of the kayak while Matteo paddled, refusing to allow me to lift a finger. Then we’d taken a cooking class and learned to make classic Fijian, Thai, and Malay dishes. I’d forced Matteo to wear the supplied apron and Angelo had taken pictures for me while standing off to the side. He and Enzo had faded into the background during our trip, allowing Matteo and me to have time together. We’d had such little time alone the past few months, so I was soaking up every minute.

“Just dinner,” my husband murmured, leaning in to kiss my cheek.

The captain came up to us as the crew prepared to set sail. “You must be our good luck charm, beautiful,” he said to me. “We don’t always see the manta rays, and that was a Hawksbill sea turtle. We don’t see them often because they’re endangered.”

Matteo held me closer to his side and gave the captain a murderous look. The man’s face grew white and he quickly backed away.

I rolled my eyes and shoved my husband’s side. “No eye gouging,” I whispered in his ear.

“No promises, tesoro.”

We cuddled close for the boat ride back. The warm wind tangled in my hair, and I thought I’d never felt quite this happy.