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Knowing nothing else will convince her to continue with our engagement, I lay all my cards on the table, “These past few months haven’t been an act for me, Catarina. And I regret nothing. I don’t care what your father and my grandfather decide. I want to marry you. Iplanto marry you.”
Her lips part in a quiet gasp. Her eyes widen in surprise. And, if I’m not mistaken, happiness.
I continue, “I’ll understand if you want time to think things over—if you want the chance to get to know each other better before we ultimately tie the knot. But make no mistake,macushla,that is what I want. Sooner rather than later.”
My declaration leaves her speechless. Pink colors her cheeks, and her chest rises and falls with accelerated breathing. I’ve surprised her. To be honest, I’ve surprised myself.
I’ve never been one to make grand speeches, but the words just rolled off my tongue. And I meant every single one. I will wait for however long it takes for Catarina to decide we are inevitable. Until then, I’ll be here to remind her of the connection we felt the first night we met—a connection that’s only grown with each day we’ve spent together.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” I say. I’m prepared to be patient, I’m still a man. And you’d be hard-pressed to find a man who wouldn’t want reassurance that they’re wanted by the woman they want to spend their life with.
“Well…” Catarina tilts her head to the side. “I did already choose a wedding dress...” she trails off. Amusement glitters in her beautiful eyes.
The corner of my lips twitch as hope billows in my chest. “That’s true. You did.” I take a step, rounding the metal table separating us.
“And our engagement was already announced in the paper,” she muses.
“That’s true too.” I reach out and place my hand on her waist, slowly drawing her towards me. She comes willingly until less than a foot separates us.
My fingers brush the loose red curls hanging by her neck when I cup the side of her face. She looks up at me with a soft expression that I’m sure mirrors my own.
I’m still amazed by the effect the Italian beauty has had on me in such a short amount of time of knowing each other, but there’s no denying the impact she’s had on my life. She’s the companion I never knew I wanted, but the one I now know I can’t live without.
Her wit… her humor… her bravery… I’ll never forget what I felt when I saw Luis Diaz lying at her feet; the weapon used to defend herself sitting at her side. Catarina may have been shielded from the darker aspects of her family’s criminal dealings, but it hasn’t made her weak. She’s poised and elegant, but also willing to do what’s necessary to defend herself and those she loves.
Just like me.
There’s not a doubt in my mind that Catarina Furnari and I are meant to be together. She’s it for me. God knows no one else can ever hold a candle to her. And based on the way she’s looking at me right now, she feels the same way about me.
She lifts her hands and settles them on my biceps. “Not to mention,” she continues with a mischievous expression. “Youdidtake my virginity. The honorable thing to do is to make an honest woman out of me.”
I bark a laugh at the bold remark. “I never painted you as so old-fashioned.”
“What can I say? I’m easily influenced by my regency romance novels.” She chuckles.
We stand there and continue to hold onto each other, neither in a rush to let go. My thumb brushes her cheek. I’m smiling like a fool, but I can’t help it. Having Catarina Furnari in my arms fills me with a contentment I’ve never felt before—a feeling I plan on experiencing for the rest of my life.
“So…” she begins as I tuck a wayward curl behind her ear.
“So?” I prompt.
“We’re still engaged.”
“We are.”
She bites her bottom lip and smiles. “Okay.”
“Okay.” I lean forward to kiss her. She lightly presses her fingers to my mouth, stopping me.
“I have a request though.”
I lift a brow. When she lowers her hand, I say, “Name it.”
“Let’s elope.”
It’s my turn to be rendered speechless.
Misunderstanding the reason for my silence, she quickly adds, “We don’t have to. I just thought, now that our families’ alliance doesn’t rely on our marriage, we don’t have to make the wedding such a spectacle. I’d actually prefer something more low-key. And intimate.” She blushes and looks down at my chest. “You know what? Never mind. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
