Page 50 of The Proposal

“He kills people for a living … that hardly makes him a good guy, Lucia.”

“Still … he’s hot. I’d be all over him like a rash if he were my husband. You hit the jackpot with that one. Knowing my luck, Papa will make me marryun vecchio(An old man) who’s way past his use-by date.”

Her words bring me solace. She’s right; things could have turned out much worse for me. I hope that when the time comes, my sister finds herself as fortunate.

“There’s been no mention of that, has there?”

“No, but I’m eighteen now, so it’s only a matter of time.”

That thought twists my stomach, leaving me with a heavy feeling that I’m unsure I’ll be able to shake off.

When I enter our bedroom and don’t see my husband there, I go searching for him. I find him in the kitchen by the window, staring out into the darkness. His hands are gripping the edge of the countertop by the sink, and he looks lost in thought. His shoulders are hunched, and if I’m reading him right, he seems troubled by something.

“Here you are,” I say, coming up behind him and snaking my arms around his waist. “Is everything okay?”

He releases an audible sigh as he turns in my arms and tugs me closer, resting his chin on the top of my head. “How’s your sister? Has she settled in?”

It doesn’t escape me that he dodged my question; instead, he redirected me with one of his own.

“I just helped her unpack. She was going to shower and head to bed when I left her.”

“That’s good. I think she had a nice time tonight.”

I draw back and crane my neck to look up at him. “She had the best night. I can’t even put into words how grateful I am for what you did for me today … for both of us. I’m sorry for being a little testy with you earlier.”

“Testy? You mean downright bitchy and mean.”

I blow out a puff of air. I can’t exactly argue. “That too.”

He chuckles as he leans down to place a chaste kiss on my lips. “Your fiery side turns me on … I just considered it foreplay.” His eyes sparkle with mischief as he juts his hips forward, letting me feel his semi-hard penis in his trousers. “Were you really worried about me today?”

“Of course I was.”

“I’m happy to hear that.”

“You’re happy I was worried?”

“Yes. It means you care. I care about you too,Bellezza.”

“You do?”

“Very much.”

“If I told you I was ready to go all the way with you tonight, what would your thoughts be on that?”

His eyebrows jump so high they almost reach his hairline. “You want to go all the way … tonight?”

“If you’re not ready, I’ll understand.”

“Not ready? What makes you think I’m not ready?”

I lift one shoulder. “You seem a little hesitant.”

“Bellezza,” he says, pausing to gently cup my face and take a deep breath. “Desperation would be a better word for how I feel about being inside you. Neverhesitant. I’ve simply been using every ounce of restraint and patience I have, giving you the time I thought you needed.”

“I don’t need any more time … I’m ready.”

“Are you sure?”

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