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Because you love him.
Her heart clenched agonisingly. She breathed through it, forcing the pain aside to get to the bare facts. Which were that she would rather spend the next five years with Ramon and their baby than on her own. She would take a single day in his presence rather than do without him.
The inevitable end would hurt like nothing before, but ripping her heart out before she needed to...well, she couldn’t...wouldn’t do that to herself.
There were no heralding trumpets accompanying her soul-shaking decision, only mild turbulence and the hum of private jet engines.
But she was okay with that.
Rising, she went to the bathroom, splashed water on her face. It took several heartbeats before she could meet her gaze in the mirror. Several more before her conscience stopped berating her for the path she was choosing.
By the time she slipped her dress back on, her head had accepted the decision her aching heart was still struggling with.
Ramon was on his laptop when she entered the main cabin. Seeing her, he rushed to his feet, dark green eyes brimming with purpose and determination snagging hers as he prowled forward.
‘I thought you would rest for a while longer,’ he said.
There was a definite question in his eyes. A watchfulness that tensed his shoulders and tightened his jaw. ‘You asked me to marry you at thirty-seven thousand feet. Rest after that was out of the question,’ she half joked.
He didn’t laugh. Heightening tension crawled over him as his probing gaze raked her face. ‘I suppose you wish me to apologise for ruining your sleep?’ he rasped in a low voice throbbing with notes she couldn’t define.
Her mouth would’ve curved in a smile if debilitating emotions weren’t see-sawing through her. ‘I know how...cumbersome you find those apologies, so—’
‘Lo siento,’ he breathed readily. ‘The timing of this could’ve been better. I realise that now.’
‘Oh...okay. What about the timing of my answer? Does now suit or should I—?’
He gripped her arms, which was fortunate because the plane chose that second to dip again. She was thrown against him, her hands coming up to brace against his chest. ‘Tell me. Now,’ he ordered in a half-growl.
With the moment of truth upon her, the words suddenly dried in her throat.
What in goodness’ name was she doing?
But then she looked into his face. His strong, too handsome, enthralling, iron-willed face. Beneath her right hand, his heart beat fast and vigorous. Her own heart tripped over itself. Licking dry lips, she took a deep breath that was nowhere near as steadying as she wished it to be.
‘Yes, I’ll marry you, Ramon.’
He inhaled, sharp and long, the arms around her tightening for a moment before he nodded. His head lowered.
Suki froze, every cell in her body anticipating his kiss.
But he merely touched his forehead to hers as he said, ‘We will succeed in this too. You have my word.’
They wouldn’t. Not if he didn’t love her. But for the moment, she would fight the demons and bask in that falsehood.
* * *
As was its speciality, Acosta Hotel Madrid was also housed in a centuries-old building, this one a towering Renaissance palace taking up a whole block on Plaza de las Cortes.
In honour of its place at the heart of Madrid’s cultural heritage, the walls of the vast marble-floored lobby teemed with ancient and modern art. Several of Ramon’s own sculptures were displayed in prominent
places, with Piedra Galleria Madrid’s home situated on the first floor.
As she’d found out when Ramon’s assistant contacted her with their itinerary, Ramon chose to stay in private suites at his hotels rather than own homes across the globe.
If she’d thought the Havana version was spectacular, her jaw dropped when she walked into their top floor suite.
Taking up almost a quarter of the whole width of the hotel, the suite was large enough to fit four families with ease. Four adjoining suites and three double bedrooms took up the lower mezzanine floor, with a private pool, extensive living rooms, study and exclusive private spa facilities taking up the floor above it. Signature tones of gold and burgundy themed every elegant room.
