Page 34 of Marcus

“And you think that’s the same thing?”

“What you feel would ruin you and what would ruin me don’t have to be the same thing. It’s the end result that looks a lot alike if you know what I mean.”

She blew out a slow breath.

He still waited her out.

“Do they know about that?” she asked, nodding toward the floor as though she meant the people downstairs. “Do any of them know you’re like a live-wire wrapped up in a well-fitting suit, but you’re just ready to snap?”

A smile split his lips. “No, just you.”

And he felt it was … appropriate.

“I have one more thing to show you, that is, if you’re interested in seeing it.”

Cella stepped his way.

No hesitation at all.

He adored that.

“Show me.”

“Watch your step.”

Cella didn’t even get the chance to look down before he was there to grab her around the waist and help guide her over a particularly rough part of the trail. Her laughter colored up the darkness overhead, and he grinned back at her when she gave him a wink over her shoulder.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

“What if I told you that I hate surprises?”

“Then, I would tell you exactly where we’re going. Do you really hate surprises?”

Cella pressed her lips together, eyeing him as she now walked backward. A feat in and of itself considering the height of her heels and these precarious trails that weaved throughout his parents’ property.

“No,” she finally said.

“Then stop asking questions, donna.”

“You know, I don’t think you’ve used your French nearly as often as you use your Italian with me. And that’s kind of a shame, isn’t it?”

Behind her, he could see a familiar clearing starting to take shape there. She couldn’t see it with her attention on him, but that was just fine.

“Does that offend your sensibilities?”

He didn’t mind playing along with her game.

“Well—”

“Ma chérie, tu es plus belle que le ciel et les étoiles, et je ne te mérite pas.”

Cella’s walk came to a stop, but Marcus continued his until the two of them stood toe to toe, and she was staring up at him. He didn’t touch her, but he didn’t really need to in that moment. He found all that he needed in her eyes—in the parting of her lips and the way her hands trembled down at her sides.

“Will you tell me what you said?”

Marcus wet the line of his lips. “Do you need me to?”