"Autumn, we're landing soon."

Blinking blearily, Autumn yawned and licked her lips. Ugh, my mouth tastes like shit, she thought with a grimace. Leaning forward, she rummaged through her carry-on for the water bottle she'd stashed there—how many hours ago?

"What time is it?" she asked, opening flaps and lifting magazines. Where did I put it again?

"Six in the evening, local time," Corbin replied, producing the missing water bottle. "It slid out of your lap when you fell asleep."

"Thank you." She twisted the cap off, took a long swig, and immediately felt better. Brushing hair out of her face, she peered past Corbin and out the airplane window. There it was—Rome. The EternalCity. Even from high up in the plane, the sight was better than anything she had ever seen on TV.

Visiting Italy had been on her bucket list as a child—an event she had long consigned to her dreams. But after meeting Corbin, the world had suddenly become available to her and Jordyn. Her husband—Autumn had to pause and smile; that very handsome, kind, and loving man next to her was her husband now—always told her that if she wanted to go somewhere, all she had to do was ask. While over the course of three years together, she had grown more at ease with her new life but vowed to never treat Corbin like a living ATM. As someone who had spent most of her adult life counting pennies and making dollars stretch, suddenly having access to wealth made her uncomfortable.

They'd gone with Jordyn on a tour of wine country last year, right after Corbin had proposed. After Autumn told him of her desire to visit Rome, Corbin suggested that they make it their honeymoon destination: tours of museums for him and authentic Italian cooking classes for her—and in-between, lots of sightseeing, shopping, and, of course, eating.

Lots and lots of eating.

How could she say no?

"How're you feeling?" Corbin asked as she took another long sip.

"Better, thanks."

He smiled. "Are you up for having dinner after we get settled?"

As if on cue, Autumn's stomach rumbled. She chuckled. "Yes."

"Excellent."

Tucking the water bottle back into her carry-on, Autumn straightened the hem of her dress. Being fashionable was not in Autumn's vocabulary, but she wanted to have at least a few cute, fun sundresses to wear when they ate out—like this little white knee-length number with flowers on the bodice and ruffled hem.

"Did you sleep at all?" she asked Corbin as he reached down to tug at the cuff of his white pants. He was wearing an open-collar pale blue shirt and dark blue blazer, which was so far out of his professor-chic comfort zone that Autumn suspected Jordyn had urged him to compliment his new wife's outfits.

"I took a nap for a few hours, then watched a couple of in-flight movies. Did you know that there's an entire film series about vampires that sparkle in the sun?"

Autumn giggled. She was about to suggest that they visit the fountain from the second film when the pilot announced that they were starting to descend. Even if they did go there, poor Corbin wouldn't get the joke. She loved that man, but he was so blissfully unaware of popular culture.

But she was very glad that he didn't sparkle.

-----------

Two men dressed like mafia enforcers met them at baggage claim; the thinner one held a sign that read Mr and Mrs Westbrook, while the taller, burlier gentleman took control of their luggage.

"We're not being kidnapped by the mob, are we?" Autumn asked as they were escorted outside to a sleek black limousine. She hesitated as the thin man opened the limo door.

"No," Corbin assured her, but Autumn noticed that he was careful to angle his body to block hers. "Even if they were, it would take more than a couple of bullets to kill me."

Autumn knew what could kill him—and she doubted that either of these two fine men were Fallen vampires. When he wanted to, Corbin had the reflexes of a superhero. She took a deep breath and let it go, trusting that Corbin had everything under control. Nodding to the thin man, Autumn ducked her head and slid into the back seat. Corbin followed right behind and the driver closed the door.

The trunk of the limo slammed closed and the limo rocked slightly as the larger man climbed into the passenger seat next to the driver. With a slight pneumatic hiss, the partition lowered.

"Please help yourselves to the complimentary champagne, signore, signora," the driver said in a thick, but understandable Italian accent. "It will take us about half an hour to reach The Saint Januarius." Once the announcement was made, the partition slid back up, leaving them alone.

It was astounding how many people were in on the secret that vampires existed, Autumn mused as the limo pulled away from the airport's arrival terminal and onto the main road. Really, how secret were they? The hotel where they were staying catered to vampires on a regular basis and was named after the Catholic patron saint of blood, for Godssake. They were practically screaming "Hey, vampires exist!" from the rooftops.

Whatever. It wasn't her secret to reveal. She preferred to keep her memories intact, thank you.

"Want a drink?" Corbin asked, reaching for the ice chest.

While it might not be the ideal thing to do on an empty stomach, Autumn decided that she might as well be daring. It was her honeymoon, after all. "Yes, please."

Corbin opened the little chest and pulled out a chilled bottle. He dutifully popped the cork and poured them two glasses. Once the bubbles settled, Autumn took a cautious sip—and smiled. Oh, that was really good! She would really have to try that with authentic Italian cuisine.

Leaning against Corbin's shoulder, she looked out of the limo's tinted window as they wound through the Roman streets. Her lips curved into a smile as she took another sip.

"What are you thinking about?" Corbin murmured, thumb stroking the bare skin of her shoulder.

Autumn rolled her head up to look at him. "I'm just so happy." And it was true. Ever since Corbin had walked into hers and Jordyn's lives, she felt as if a great weight had lifted off her shoulders.

Corbin set his glass aside and cupped her chin with his free hand, lowering his mouth to hers. "Me, too, sweetheart."

The limo pulled up to The Saint Januarius, just before things could get interesting. Straightening her skirt, Autumn accepted Corbin's help in climbing out, tucking more than one flyaway strand of chestnut hair behind her ears.

The lobby of The Saint Januarius was gorgeous—there was no other way to describe it. Gold, black and white appeared to be the theme of the hotel, with dark wood-paneled floors and shelves, comfortable white and black-patterned chairs, and a wide gold and black mural hanging behind the reception desk. Delicate crystal lamps sat on tiny tables displaying pamphlets for local attractions, as well as fresh copies of Vogue and other fashion magazines. A massive chandelier that looked like a giant wind chime hung from the ceiling in the very center of the lobby.

Don't look like a blue-collar tourist, Autumn told herself as they walked up to the front desk, the two mob enforcers carrying their luggage. But it was so damned hard not to rubber-neck. Especially as men in very expensive suits and women in questionably-cut outfits wandered in and out of the lobby. How many of them were actually vampires? And was that a celebrity over there?

The front desk manager didn't bat an eye, greeting them with a smile that was as professional as one would expect from a place like this. If she knew that Corbin was a vampire, she never gave any indication of it.

Once checked in, two bellhops took their luggage from the enforcers and directed Autumn and Corbin to follow them up to the honeymoon suite. Autumn kept her eyes locked straight ahead, although she dearly wanted to stare.

"You're not going to look around?" Corbin whispered as they walked through the lobby to the elevators.

"I don't want to seem like a shmuck in here," she hissed back, holding on to his arm.

"Go ahead and look. I assure you, they don't care."

So, she stared, trusting Corbin to not let her bang into a wall or trip. That would have been monumentally embarrassing. Corbin guided her expertly as they reached the sixth floor and the honeymoon suite. Autumn didn't think her eyes could grow any wider. She'd seen pictures of the suite that the hotel had emailed them—it was too exclusive to put on the website—but the pictures didn't do it justice.

As one of the bellhops brought their luggage into the bedroom, the other young man led them around the suite. There was a sitting room complete with a piano, pool table, fireplace, and luxurious white sofas and chairs; a kitchenette complete with a small refrigerator, stovetop, mini-bar, and table for two by a wide bay window overlooking the city. The master suite's size didn't shock Autumn as much, since their bedroom at Ashford was about the same size. But that space had been occupied by a 250-year-old vampire academic and only recently experienced some of Autumn's practical, womanly influence. This room was white and gold, with touches of dark brown: a canopied bed with more pillows than any sane person needed, a sofa in one corner, a glass desk, massive wall-mounted flat-screen TV, and a mini-fireplace.

A marble bathroom lay just off the bedroom with a bathtub built for two, as well as a shower that had more buttons and nozzles than NASA mission control. As Autumn peered at the toilet, she noticed that it had a heated seat option. Oh, geez, she mused, chuckling to herself.

The other end of the suite opened up onto a terrace, complete with a hot tub, lounge chairs, and a small bar. Almost everything followed the gold, white, and black color scheme as the lobby, save for a few touches of brown here and there.

"Is everything to your expectations, signore, signora?" the older bellhop inquired, standing with his hands behind his back.

"Very much so," Corbin replied as Autumn wandered around the sitting room, peering at the sofas. They were crafted with these little wave-like curves, which looked nice but couldn't be comfortable to sit on.

"It's lovely," Autumn told him, taking an experimental bounce on the sofa. Yeah, this thing was as hard as a rock.

"Very good, signore, signora. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to call the front desk. Enjoy your stay." With a little bow, the two bellhops exited the suite, closing the doors behind them.

Corbin walked up and promptly turned the locks. "So, what do you really think?"

Autumn ran a hand across the upholstery and chuckled. "I'm serious. It's really nice." And it was. But it was luxurious in a way that was too over the top for her tastes.

"I know—it's not either of our styles," Corbin said, sitting down beside her, "but I wanted to spoil you."

Autumn laughed and kissed him on the cheek. "You spoil me too much."

"You deserve it," Corbin murmured, pulling her effortlessly across the couch and onto his lap.

"I thought we were getting ready for dinner," Autumn said, sliding her hands up his chest, a slow, languorous smile playing on her lips. She rocked forward and started to unbutton his shirt, revealing Corbin's broad, muscled chest.

"We can eat in," he replied, ocean-colored eyes darkening with desire as his large hands slipped beneath her skirt and ran up her backside.

"Sounds like a plan," Autumn whispered, lowering her mouth to his.

Without a sound, Corbin stood up, wrapped her legs around his waist, and carried his wife to the bedroom.