The warm sun caresses my skin as I step out of the car, breathing in the salty sea air. Stefano's strong hand grasps mine gently, guiding me toward the stunning villa that will be our home for the next few days. After all the stress and drama we endured with Ivan, this babymoon getaway to the Costanzo family's private island is exactly what we need.

At 20 weeks pregnant, my belly is really starting to show. I rub it affectionately, feeling our little one kick inside me. Stefano smiles, placing his hand over mine. "We're here, amore mio," he whispers, his eyes shining with love and excitement.

As we tour the magnificent villa, I can't help but be in awe of its beauty. The living room opens up to a glistening pool, the water sparkling invitingly under the sun. After a refreshing shower, we settle into the plush bed, the sound of waves lulling us to sleep.

The following day, I awake to the tantalizing aroma of breakfast and Stefano's warm smile as he carries in a tray laden with my favorite foods. "Good morning, Luce del Sole," he greets me, using the endearing nickname he gave me.

I can't help but smile, feeling a rush of love for this man who has quite literally returned from the dead to be with me. "Good morning, you didn't have to," I reply, my voice still husky from sleep.

Stefano's hand finds its way to my growing belly, his touch gentle and reverent. "I know; I wanted you to start your day with that beautiful smile," he murmurs, leaning in to place a tender kiss on my forehead.

As I sip the soothing tea, I take in Stefano's appearance. He is dressed casually in linen shorts and a crisp white shirt, the top buttons undone to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of his tanned chest. His dark hair is slightly tousled, giving him a boyish charm that makes my heart flutter.

"Thank you," I say, genuinely touched by his thoughtfulness.

We discuss our plans for the day, deciding to explore the charming island town and perhaps take a leisurely stroll along the coastline. As Stefano speaks, his eyes never leave mine, filled with a mixture of love and concern.

"How are you feeling today?" he asks, his hand still resting protectively on my belly.

I place my hand over his, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine. "We are doing fine," I assure him, marveling at the connection we share – not just between us but with our unborn child as well.

"That's good to hear," Stefano replies, his relief evident in the softening of his shoulders. "If you feel any discomfort, let me know."

"I will," I promise, my heart swelling with gratitude for his unwavering support.

After breakfast, Stefano and I step into the shower together. The warm water cascades over our bodies as we linger under the spray, hands exploring each other's curves and planes. Stefano pulls me close, his strong arms encircling my waist as he captures my lips in a deep, sensual kiss that leaves me breathless and aching for more. We take our time, the rest of the world fading away until there is nothing but the two of us, lost in intimate bliss.

After finally tearing ourselves away, we dress and head out to explore the city. The art museum is one of our first stops, an impressive stone building housing centuries of masterpieces. We wander the quiet galleries hand-in-hand, admiring the vivid paintings and intricate sculptures, murmuring our thoughts to each other in hushed voices. Stefano looks devastatingly handsome in his crisp white shirt and dark jeans, his chiseled features and sparkling eyes drawing more than a few admiring glances from other patrons. But he only has eyes for me, his heated gaze sending shivers down my spine every time our eyes meet.

As evening falls, we make our way to the natural hot springs on the outskirts of town. The air is balmy and filled with the gentle chirping of crickets. I stand at the edge of the steaming, mineral-rich pool, the water an inviting blue in the fading light. Stefano approaches, his lean, muscular form on full display in nothing but a pair of low-slung swim trunks that perfectly highlight the tantalizing V of his hips.

"Why haven't you gotten in?" he asks with a knowing smirk, closing the distance between us. His large hands find my waist, pulling me flush against his hard body. "You know I'm all yours, right?"

Stefano guides my palms over the firm ridges of his abs, his golden skin like warm silk beneath my fingertips. "This is all yours, baby," he murmurs, his lips brushing the sensitive shell of my ear and making me shiver. I tilt my head back as he trails open-mouthed kisses along the column of my throat, my core clenching with need. Just as I'm about to capture his mouth in a passionate kiss, he pulls away with a wicked grin and gracefully dives into the water.

"You did that on purpose!" I accuse breathlessly, desire throbbing through my veins at his teasing.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Stefano replies innocently, floating on his back with a maddening smile.

"I'll get you back," I vow as I slip into the deliciously warm water and swim over to him. He immediately gathers me into his arms, our slick bodies fitting perfectly together.

"You can try, baby. I know your body better than you do," he promises huskily, his hands skimming my curves possessively under the water. He dips his head to suckle the sensitive spot just below my ear, making me moan and arch into him wantonly. But just as I'm lost to the pleasure, he releases me with a final nip and glides away.

"Stefano!" I gasp in frustration, my body throbbing and empty.

"I love you too, mi amore," he laughs, eyes twinkling with mischief and adoration as he backstrokes lazily across the spring.

Shaking my head ruefully, I float on my back and gaze up at the first stars appearing in the violet sky, trying to ignore the persistent ache between my thighs, knowing that my sexy Italian Stallion will more than make it up to me later. For now, I let the soothing waters and the love shining in Stefano's eyes wash over me, savoring another perfect day in paradise with the man of my dreams.

***

Stefano and I curl up on the plush sofa in the cozy living room, a soft throw blanket draped over our intertwined legs as the flickering light of the TV screen dances across our faces. Though the movie plays on, I can feel the weight of Stefano's gaze on me, his eyes tracing my features with an intensity that sends warmth blooming through my chest.

After twenty minutes, he suddenly reaches for the remote and switches off the TV, the room falling into intimate silence. I turn to him with a quizzical smile. "Why did you turn it off?"

Stefano takes my hands in his, his thumbs brushing reverently over my knuckles as he stares deep into my eyes, his own shining with adoration and wonder. "Do you know that I am the luckiest man on Earth to have such a wonderful woman like you by my side?" he says, his voice low and fervent. "Not only that, but you are also the most beautiful and courageous woman I have ever met. I feel I don't deserve you, but I am selfish. I won't let you go either. You made me understand that love is beautiful. You make me the happiest man alive every single day. I am more than grateful to God for putting you in my life again. I'm sorry I was a jerk when we first met again. I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I love you."

Tears of joy prick at the corners of my eyes, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. I reach up to cradle Stefano's chiseled jaw, my fingers caressing the stubble-roughened skin. "I forgave you for what happened in the past long ago. You're not the only lucky one here. I am also blessed to have someone as wonderful as you to love and cherish me. I will spend the rest of my life showing you what an incredible thing love is and continuing to make you the happiest man alive, the same way you make me the happiest woman. I love you too, Stefano. So much."

A single tear of joy escapes down my cheek, and Stefano tenderly brushes it away with the pad of his thumb before pulling me onto his lap. I go willingly, straddling his muscular thighs as I wind my arms around his neck. He captures my lips in a searing kiss, pouring all of his love and passion into the press of his mouth on mine. I melt into him, my fingers threading through his thick, dark hair as our tongues dance and tangle together. Stefano's large hands skim over my back and down to my hips, pulling me impossibly closer.

We kiss for long, drugging minutes, lost in each other, our hearts beating in perfect sync. When we finally break apart, I rest my forehead against his, savoring the intimacy of the moment. Stefano's eyes shine with love and devotion in the buttery light of the lamp, and I know that this is exactly where I'm meant to be - in the arms of the man who owns my heart, my soulmate, my everything.

"Make love to me," I whisper against his lips, and with a wolfish grin, Stefano stands with me in his arms and carries me off to our bedroom, laying me gently on the plush bed like I'm the most precious thing in the world. He crawls over me, his body hard and warm against mine as he captures my lips in a deep, drugging kiss that steals the breath from my lungs. I arch into him, my hands roaming greedily over the sculpted planes of his back, relishing the flex of his muscles beneath my palms.

"I love you," Stefano murmurs against my skin as he trails scorching kisses down the column of my throat, his fingers deftly unzipping my dress and sliding it from my body with reverent hands. "I'm going to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much."

I gasp as he takes one of my nipples into his hot mouth, swirling his tongue around the sensitive peak until I'm writhing beneath him, my core aching and empty. "Stefano, please..."

He grins up at me wickedly, his eyes molten pools of desire in the flickering candlelight. "Patience, mi amore. I plan to worship every inch of you until you're begging for release."

True to his word, Stefano takes his time mapping my body with his lips and hands, setting every nerve ending ablaze with pleasure. He teases and tempts, bringing me to the brink again and again until I'm a trembling, desperate mess, my skin slick with sweat and my heart pounding out a frantic rhythm. Only then does he finally give me what I need, sliding into me with one smooth thrust that has me seeing stars.

We move together in perfect sync; our bodies joined in the oldest dance known to man. Stefano fills me over and over, hitting that spot deep inside that makes me see fireworks each time. I cling to him as he drives me higher, my nails raking down his back as I urge him faster, harder. He complies with a low growl, snapping his hips in a relentless rhythm that soon has me flying apart in his arms, my release crashing over me in wave after wave of mind-numbing ecstasy.

Stefano follows me over the edge with a hoarse shout of my name, his body shuddering against mine as he finds his own completion. We collapse together on the tangled sheets, sweat-slicked and panting, our hearts galloping in tandem. Stefano gathers me close, brushing my damp hair back from my face with tender fingers as he rains soft kisses over my cheeks, my eyelids, and the tip of my nose.

"I love you so much, Stefano," I murmur, still boneless and floating in the afterglow.

"I love you too, baby. More than anything." He tightens his arms around me, nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck with a contented sigh. "Thank you for giving me a second chance, for loving me despite my flaws and mistakes. You're my everything."

Tears of joy prick my eyes at his heartfelt words, and I tilt my head to capture his lips in a slow, sweet kiss. "You're my everything, too. And I'll never stop loving you, no matter what. We're in this together, forever."

Stefano smiles against my mouth, his eyes shining with adoration and promise in the golden candlelight. "Forever," he echoes, sealing it with a kiss.

We spend the rest of the night wrapped in each other's arms, exchanging lazy kisses and whispering words of love and devotion, basking in the incredible bond we share. And as I drift off to sleep with my head pillowed on Stefano's chest, his heartbeat a soothing lullaby in my ear, I know that this is what true happiness feels like - being with the one you love, now and always.