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“Marry me.”

Her mouth falls open.

“Vasily…”

“I’m serious.”

“You’ve known me for⁠—”

“Long enough.”

“That isn’t how this works.”

“It is how it works for me.”

“I’m pregnant.”

Matilda blurts the words out, and we both stare at each other in shock. For once, I have nothing to say, no plan, no reaction.

Matty swallows, her hand slipping delicately out of mine. Her shoulders curve inward as if she’s trying to hide herself. My eyes drop to the tabletop, where I can’t see her stomach.

“I’m keeping the baby.”

A laugh escapes me before I can stop it.

She glares.

“You think this is funny?”

“No.” I shake my head, feeling an impulsive smile stretch across my face. “I think it is exactly like you.”

Her brows draw together. She looks ready to fight, and that’s how I know we’re on safe ground now.

“You aren’t asking me. You aren’t waiting to see what I want. You’re sitting there telling me what you’re doing. And from what I know of you, Matilda Pierce, there’s nothing in the world I could do to stop you. Which is perfect, because I don’t want to.”

“You don’t?” she asks, surprise widening her eyes.

“No.”

“I…I’m not expecting you to be tied to me, to this, Vasily.”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t want to be tied to you, Matilda. I would happily be tied, chained, and devoted to you for the rest of my life. If I haven’t made that clear.”

That quiets her.

I move toward her, around the table, lowering myself slowly until I’m on my knees in front of her. My hands settle beneath the hem of her dress, palms against her bare calves, skin on skin that makes this feel more intimate without the table and secrets between us. And I look up at the woman who has somehow become the center of every decision I make.

“I love you,” I say. “I’ll love our child. And I want you to marry me.”

Her eyes shine.

“But,” she says, because of course there is a but, “if I’m agreeing to this, we’re dating properly first.”

I laugh softly, thumb stroking her smooth skin. “Really. You think it’s necessary?”

Her head tips to the side, the minx. “That was the bargain to begin with, right? Keep seeing you? I’m not…” she stutters, hands fiddling in her lap, “I’m not opposed to marriage, but I want to make sure…”

I nod, willing to do anything for her. Anything.