Page 72 of Midnight Revelations

He led the way down a small path until the canal widened and we found a place that nature had reclaimed.

“It’s beautiful,” I said, sitting on an old barrel someone had cut in half.

“I bought the land a few years ago when they were going to tear everything down and build apartments. When I get time, I want to make a place where people can come and unwind, far from the stresses of life.”

This place reminded me of Ash, wild and feral but fierce and protective.

“I had a meeting with your papa this morning,” he said, and I froze. “He has made his wishes very clear and I have made mine equally clear.”

“And?” I asked, almost terrified of hearing what had been said.

A faint smile touched his lips. “I’ve told him that the next decision lies with you and not with him.”

“What decision?” Fear began to creep up my spine to paralyse me.

Ash sat beside me on the other overturned half barrel. He lifted my hand in his and sat staring at it. Everything around me silenced when he finally met my eyes. “I already know how I feel about you, Lucrezia, but I also know you haven’t experienced life.”

What was he saying? Was he trying to let me go to experience life? “Ash, are you breaking up with me?” Tears formed behind my eyes.

“No, hell no!” He looked panicked. “I was trying to ask you to marry me but am making a right royal mess of it.”

My mouth fell open and shock invaded my system. “Marry you?”

His eyes widened and he glanced away before trying to remove his hand from mine. “Maybe we should just forget I said anything.”

“Not a fucking chance.” I rarely swore, but this occasion warranted it.

He gave me his best exasperated stare. “Look, Lucrezia—”

I cut him off. “Ask me.”

He rolled his eyes and I raised my eyebrows. “Fine,” he huffed. “Lucrezia, will you—”

“Yes!” I launched myself at him and sent him falling off his barrel onto the ground. He started laughing when I kept pressing kisses to his mouth.

I straddled his hips to stare down at him. “I love you, Ash, I always have. I haven’t changed my mind in all these years.”

His hands cupped my face. “I worry that it’s an infatuation that you’ll grow out of. I’m not a good man.”

“Then you’ll just need to keep me occupied so I don’t get bored.”

His hands rested on my hips as he stared up at me. “I love you, too, Angel. But that makes you my greatest weakness.”

“And your greatest strength,” I pointed out. My brow furrowed. “Is Papa putting you up to this?”

“No.” He shook his head. “I told him that I knew what I wanted, but it was your choice. Maybe you can pick yourself whatever stones you want for your ring today and set it when you are in Tuscany.”

I started to protest but Ash silenced me with a look.

“There are more than a few problems right now and it’s safer there. Please, Lucrezia, I can only do what needs done if I know where you are.”

“Fine,” I huffed climbing off him and holding my hand out. “But I’m picking a huge diamond that will cost you a house.”

His laugh washed over me and left a happy glow. “Pick whatever you want, Angel. You’ll be the one wearing it.”

“Maybe I should make you a cock ring with a massive diamond on it.”

“Something tells me that it would chafe your clit a bit,” he countered.

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