“Why?”
“I’m harvesting grapes?”
“Alone?” I ask incredulously.
“No,” he laughs. “I hire about fifty people to come help. But I love it, so I work right alongside them.”
“What do you love about it?” I ask.
“The feel of the grapes in my hands. They’re heavier than you’d think. Watching the buckets fill. Getting my hands dirty. I don’t even mind the blisters.”
“It’s hard work,” I remark softly.
“Very. But rewarding.” His voice is like smooth chocolate, full of affection and passion for this life that he loves. And what’s not to love? This place is simply breathtaking.
“Okay, I think we can go inside now and take a look at the bridal suites.”
Dom nods and gestures for me to walk with him back to the villa.
“I’ll take you through the back.”
“I love this patio.” The back patio is covered, with a beautiful outdoor kitchen and sitting area. Tuscan tile is laid on the ground and runs up the outside wall, framing a wide gas fireplace. “You could make a few s’mores in that fireplace.”
“I haven’t even lit it yet.” He chuckles. “But I think that’s a great idea. I don’t believe I’ve had s’mores before.”
He opens the back door and guides me into a wide, open sunroom, furnished with deep furniture in earth tones. A small fountain gurgles in the corner.
It’s the perfect space to curl up and read a book.
Not that I have time to read books.
This leads into the kitchen. I’m sure Blake cries tears of pure joy when he works in here. It’s industrial and huge, but manages to still be inviting and homey.
“Would you like something to drink?” Dom asks.
“I’d love some water, please.”
He fetches a bottle from the refrigerator and twists the top off for me, then hands it to me. “Anything else?”
“No thanks.”
“Okay. The guest suites are this way.” I follow Dom past a dining room that sits twelve to a staircase that leads to the second floor.
“This banister and hallway separate the two wings up here,” Dom says, gesturing to the dark oak banister that opens the hall up to the foyer below. “My personal wing is down there,” he points to the right, “and the guest wing is this way.”
Six heavy doors stand open to six fully furnished bedroom suites, each decorated in Tuscan colors, but in its own style. Some have king beds, some two twin beds, and a smaller one has a cozy-looking queen sized bed with an over-stuffed chair and ottoman that is just begging to be curled up in.
Another reading spot.
“These rooms are beautiful, Dom.”
“Thank you.” He grins and leads me to the room at the very end. “This will be the bride’s suite.”
I gasp when I step inside. The windows are floor-to-ceiling and run the length of the room, filling the space with light. Just inside is a sitting area with a fireplace. There are two doors, one on either end of the room.
“The bathroom is through there,” Dom points to the left, and I immediately open the door and gasp again at the ornate fixtures. You could swim laps in the soaking tub. “And the bedroom through that door, but I didn’t have the bed delivered. Instead, I had couches, chairs and tables put in there so between these two rooms, there should be plenty of room for all of the girls to do whatever it is that girls do on wedding days.”
I smirk, but my heart just melted, and if I was that kind of girl, I would let out a loud, “Awwww!” He’s done perfectly, and put so much thought and love into it for his family.
“It’s perfect, Dom.”
“You think?”
“I know.”
He nods once and gazes around the room in satisfaction.
“Where will the boys be?”
“We will be downstairs in the entertainment room.”
I let out a loud laugh. “Well, that’s appropriate.”
“I couldn’t very well put us next door or across the hall. I’d never be able to keep Will out of here.”
“You’re absolutely right,” I agree. “Lead on, then.”
Once downstairs, Dom leads me to the opposite side of the house and opens a door to a large entertainment room, with two pool tables, movie theater seats facing a wide screen, and a wet bar.
“This is the boy room.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them, and I immediately feel my cheeks flush. “I’m sorry—”
“No, you’re right,” Dom says with a laugh. “I’ve had my brothers over a time or two to help me break it in.”
“It’s also perfect for the guys on wedding day. I’ll have the wet bar stocked with snacks and drinks, and I’ll do the same upstairs.” I add the notes to my iPad. “Starting tomorrow, I’ll be here at six in the morning until late into the evening every day until the day after the wedding.”
“Why will you be here the day after?”
“To oversee the cleanup. An event of this size makes a mess, trust me.”
“That’s quite a commute every day,” he says and shoves his hands in his pockets.
“It’s fine.” I glance back to the iPad.
“Stay here.”
My head whips up and I frown at him. “Why?”
“It’s more convenient. I have plenty of space. There’s no need for you to drive back and forth.”