Page 95 of The Italian Reckoning
“What do you mean?” he asks, walking next to me with a cheeky smile on his face.
“I thought we were coming up here to watch the super moon or something, but this is…”
“This is dinner,” Rocky says, indicating to the table. “And atmosphere.” He points upward. “And… music.” He holds out one hand to me and waggles his brows. “May I have this dance?”
My cheeks flush red hot while my mind races.
Did I miss something? A birthday? An anniversary? Is this a special occasion I forgot? Nothing jumps to the forefront of my mind as I take Rocky’s hand and he sweeps me in against his body. With a click of his fingers, soft music drifts up from underneath the table and I can’t hide my giggle.
“When did you have time to do all of this?”
“I have my ways.” Rocky holds one of my hands while his other winds around my waist. We sway back and forth in time to the music, and just as I touch his shoulder, he spins me out and then brings me back in.
“When did you learn that?”
“That would be telling.” Rocky grins. “But I wanted to spoil you. Show you how much I appreciate you.”
“I’ve never doubted that,” I say, gazing lovingly up into his eyes. “Not once.”
“I know, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t show appreciation. I want you to know all the time how deeply I feel for you.”
“Rocky Barati getting emotional,” I tease. “Who even are you?”
Rocky rolls his eyes as he leans forward slightly and dips me backward. He holds me there for a few seconds and runs his lips down the curve of my throat, then brings me back up with a smile. “I’m a man in love.”
“Wonders never cease.”
Love doesn’t even feel like a strong enough word to describe how good Rocky makes me feel. He’s gorgeous, sure, but he listens. He saved my life more times than I can count. He is so good with Iris, he gives the best massages, he makes me laugh, and even when I have the occasional nightmare, he’s right there to soothe me through it.
He’s so much more than the cocky persona he displays to everyone else and I’m honored I get to see him in his true self.
“Are you sure I’m not missing something?” I ask softly. “It’s not your birthday, is it?”
“Next month.” Rocky smiles. “I don’t need a reason to spoil you.”
Rolling my eyes, we twirl slowly around the rooftop and then stop right under the apex cluster of lights.
“Well,” Rocky says in a low voice, “there is one thing.”
“I knew it!”
“It’s a good thing, though.”
“Out with it!” I demand with a laugh. “You’ll get me twisted up for no reason.”
“Marry me.”
“What?”
“Marry me, Sarah. I could list countless reasons I’m in love with you, and trust me, I will later when we’re in bed. But yousaved me more than you could ever know. You’ve made me a better man because of how much I want to impress you and provide for you. I know you don’t need it but I want to anyway. You’re the highlight of my day. Getting a text from you makes my heart skip. I’ve shown you sides of me no one else will ever see and I feel you’ve done the same for me. I love you with everything I have to give and I want to keep doing that. And I want you to be mine. I want you, Sarah. In every single way that I can have you.”
I’m speechless.
Marriage isn’t something I’ve given serious thought to outside of some mild fantasy while soaking in the bath or watching Rocky cook dinner. But his words are gentle and honest, pouring out of him like a waterfall, and I have no immediate response.
I’m utterly stunned.
“You don’t have to give me an answer now,” Rocky says earnestly. “I’m a patient man?—”
