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She looks down at her wedding ring and inhales shakily. “Then promise me that you’ll never leave me, Luca. Promise me that you’ll fight for us, even when I inevitably push you away because fear got the best of me. Promise me that you won’t give up on us, even when it looks like there’s no hope left.”
I smile at her and lift her hand to my lips. “I promise that the only thing I won’t ever do for you is let you go. No matter what.”
She nods, despite the obvious fear in her gaze, and relief washes over me. She’s giving us a chance, and I’ll make sure she never regrets it.
Chapter Fifty-Three
Valentina
My heart is racing as I walk into my office wearing my wedding ring, for the very first time. So far, no one has noticed it, and if they have, they haven’t said anything at all. I’m not sure if that fills me with relief or disappointment.
I’m scared about the backlash we might face, especially since we’re admitting to being married so soon after I was appointed as COO, but I’m more scared to hurt Luca any further.
I hesitate for just a moment before grabbing the plaque Luca got me, and place it on top of my desk.Valentina Windsor, Chief Operating Officer.
SeeingWindsorpaired with my first name used to fill me with unworthiness and fear, but not anymore. A soft giggle escapes my lips, and I briefly bury my face in my hands, feeling oddly giddy. I need to show Luca. I have no doubt my husband’s eyes would fill with that mixture of pride and possessiveness that I can’t resist.
My gaze drops to the stack of pink sticky notes on my desk, and I burst out laughing all over again. I can’t remember the last time I felt this free, this happy. I really should be getting to work, but there’s something I must do first.
“Morning, Val!” Jane calls as I walk past my old desk. An entire team of personal assistants and operations managers stepped in to take over my role, and it surprised me that it took six of them to do what I managed to do all by myself. “The boss has a meeting in about fifteen minutes, so I don’t think he has a lot of free time this morning.”
I grin at her and nod in thanks as I walk into Luca’s office. He looks up from his computer, and his serious expression melts away, making way for a smile. “I thought you’d have left your office already,” I murmur. Back when I was his secretary, we were always present at meetings at least ten minutes ahead of schedule. “Don’t tell me you’re already destroying my carefully crafted routines?”
Luca leans back in his seat, his eyes roaming over the red blouse I’m wearing. “And what were you planning on doing in my office while I wasn’t there?” he asks, his gaze settling on my cleavage.
I walk up to him and hold up the pink sticky note I’d been hiding behind my back. “I came to stick this onto your screen,” I murmur as I carefully place my note. “You’re totally ruining my surprise.”
I love you
- Mrs. Windsor
PS. I have a confession to make. Come to my office after your meeting.
His eyes light up as he reads my note. “This one is my favorite one so far,” he murmurs, his gaze filled with the expression I was hoping he’d carry. Love, pride, possessiveness.
“What is the confession?” Luca asks as he grabs my hand. His eyes widen when he realizes I’m wearing my wedding ring. “You didn’t take it off,” he whispers, awed. He looks up at me and rises from his chair, his hands wrapping around my waist. “I know you said yes, but I wasn’t sure you truly meant it. I thought you’dwant to move slowly, and I was scared to push for more than you were ready to give me. Baby, this… you have no idea how happy this makes me.”
I lift his empty hand and stare at it, a frown on my face. “When have I ever gone back on my word?” I ask as I press his hand against my cheek and lean in, my eyes falling closed for a moment. “This won’t do.”
I let go of his hand and grab his tie, undoing it in one smooth move. Luca smiles and bites down on his lip as he tightens his grip on my waist.
My eyes are on his as I grab the necklace around his neck. “Let’s get rid of this,” I tell him, my last few remaining doubts melting away as I undo the chain. I grab his ring and push it onto his finger with a wide smile on my face.
“You’re sure?” he asks, a hint of doubt in his voice. “There’s no going back from this point, Valentina. I will never let you go, and from this moment forward, you’ll never escape the Windsor name.”
My ring could be passed off as an heirloom piece or a gift, but his is very obviously a wedding ring. Within hours, rumors about us will have reached as far as the mailroom.
I nod. “I’ve never been more sure. I love you, Luca. There’s not a single doubt in my mind. I want it all with you.”
His hand threads through my hair, and he pulls me into him roughly, his lips finding mine with the kind of desperation that makes me lose all reason. He kisses me slowly and deeply, leaving me trembling with need by the time he pulls away. His forehead drops to mine, his breathing ragged. “Let me cancel my meeting.”
I chuckle and press another quick kiss to his lips. “Absolutely not.”
“Please?”
I bite down on his lower lip before pressing another kiss to the edge of his mouth. “Don’t even dream about it.” He groans and sends me a pleading look, making me laugh. “Come to my office after the meeting for that confession I owe you.”
He raises a brow and shakes his head. “You’re going to leave me in anticipation all morning, aren’t you?”
