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“Hell no! I love every single minute of being with you. I just want to see as much of Florence that we can while we’re here without constantly wanting you naked.”
“We’re adults. I’m sure we’ll manage.”
“We’re adults and we’ve just had sex twice in the ocean … in public.”
My blush heats my cheeks rapidly as the waitress behind Alexander turns tail and runs back inside toward the small bar.
“What?” Alexander asks, turning to look behind him, but of course she’s already gone.
“We’re going to get kicked out,” I grumble, but ruin it with a giggle. “The waitress was standing behind you when you said about sex and the ocean.”
He pauses and groans. “You bring out the excitement in me. Besides, I love you. What more can I say?”
I study him, from the light tan he has, and the flex of his biceps as he moves. His handsome face is still youthful and makes him look younger than twenty-eight. The way his eyes sparkle when he looks at me sends warmth straight to my heart.
Quietly and with a serious expression on my face, I say, “I love you with all my heart, Alexander
McKenzie.”
He’s caught off guard by my declaration. I don’t think it’s really the words I’ve spoken, as I’ve said them before, but I think it’s the way I spoke them.
It takes Alexander a few minutes to get himself under control and when he is, he straightens out of his chair and in one large stride he’s stood next to me, he drops to one knee at the side of my chair. He places one hand on my thigh and holds a ring in the other.
Tears form on my lashes at what I think he’s about to do. He smiles and rubs my knee. “I had this fastened to the inside of my pocket, so I wouldn’t lose it in the ocean.” He offers a nervous smile. “I’ve carried it around with me for a long time. Even before Charlotte’s wedding.”
“Oh, Alexander.” I cover my mouth, tears falling from my eyes at what he’s telling me.
“I love you Rachel. I have done for years. Once you’re finished at college and you’re ready, I’d be honored if you’d let me be your husband. I want everything with you, but nothing as much as I want you to be my wife.” He swallows, nervously. “I love you.”
Being with Alexander, it’s something I’ve never had to think about, and I don’t need to think about my answer now either, I fling myself into his arms. He pulls us to our feet and holds me tightly in his embrace.
“Yes, Alexander. I’d be so proud to be your wife, and to call you my husband.”
My lips find his and it isn’t until a throat being cleared interrupts us that we gently pull apart and Alexander slips the ring onto my finger. He kisses the ring and smiles.
“Congratulations! I am the owner and your meal will be on the house,” the man then speaks rapidly in Italian, giving orders to the servers as he rushes away.
I turn and wink at my handsome fiancé. “You do know how sexy it is to be wearing your ring, right?”
Alexander gives me such a filthy look that I’m not sure how we’ll get through the meal.
25
Alexander
The past week with my fiancée has been amazing and now that we’re heading toward the hotel where our parents are staying, I’m hoping that they’re just as excited about our future as we are.
Rachel is excited to see everyone and to show off her ring, and although I am, I’m also worried about word getting back to Paige before we’ve had chance to talk to her face-to-face. Paige and Olivia are the next ones to be told before the rest of our family. I’m dreading that conversation—or at least the Paige part. Olivia is probably expecting it at some point.
Entering the hotel, Rachel wraps her arms around mine and leans in, kissing my cheek. “Stop worrying. I love you and nothing is going to change that.”
“Can you two please stop in public,” Noah grumbles, pulling Rachel out of my arms and into his.
Ramon appears behind him and takes Rachel for himself, while I smile and greet my own parents. They both look happy and relaxed, which I guess is nothing new with them, but seeing them here in Italy, they look different.
My mother holds me at arms length after we’ve hugged. “You look handsome and in love.”
“I have the same look Dad has whenever he’s around you,” I reply.
