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Once alone, Luca and Annah went straight to his study. The instant the door closed, his arms came around her and pulled her close. Annah couldn’t help herself. She sagged against him, pressed her face against his shirt, and breathed in his scent.
Tipping her chin up, he set his mouth against hers in a slow, lingering kiss that warmed her body from the inside out.
Finally, they eased apart.
‘You were asleep when I got back,’ he said. ‘I didn’t want to disturb you.’
‘Did you put the blanket over me?’
‘Yes.’
‘I wish you’d woken me.’
His smile was rueful. ‘I was tempted.’ He smoothed her hair back, his face etched with concern. ‘Are you okay?’
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Will you tell me what that was all about last night?’
He blew out his breath. ‘A messed-up kid with an axe to grind.’ Clasping her hand, he led her to a brown leather sofa and tugged her down beside him. ‘His father’s an ex-employee. The man was fencing stolen goods through one of the warehouses. I fired him last week and had criminal charges brought against him.’
It took her a moment to digest that. ‘But why come after you? You did what any employer would do. You could hardly let him get away with it!’
Luca’s expression was grim. ‘The boy thinks I should have punished his father the old way.’
‘The old way?’
‘My father’s way.’
Understanding dawned, sending a cold shiver up Annah’s spine. ‘
How could that possibly be better?’
‘A man heals from a beating, even a kneecapping, and still has his freedom. But prison...’ Luca shook his head. ‘According to the boy, I’ve not only stolen his father’s freedom, I’ve deprived his family of their main breadwinner.’
‘That’s warped thinking.’
‘I agree. But others don’t. I fired the company’s security chief three weeks ago because he sanctioned the beating of a young man caught stealing.’ He rubbed his thumb and forefinger over his eyelids, and for all the strength and vitality he radiated, Luca suddenly looked tired.
Emotion bloomed in Annah’s chest. She placed her palm against his jaw. ‘You’re a good man, Luca, and I’m proud that you’re Ethan’s father,’ she said, holding his gaze so he’d see she meant it.
He wrapped his fingers around her wrist, kissed the base of her thumb. ‘Proud enough to marry me, cara?’
Annah’s heart rate sped up. Heat scored her cheeks at the very thought of the question hovering on her tongue. But she had to ask. Had to know the answer. She drew a deep breath. ‘Do you think you could one day grow to love me?’
For the span of several heartbeats, Luca was utterly still. Even his expression was frozen. Then his eyebrows plunged. His hand dropped from her wrist. ‘You know my feelings on that subject.’
Awkwardly, Annah lowered her hand from his jaw. ‘Yes, but...’ Her voice faltered. This was every bit as difficult as she’d imagined. But she couldn’t run from this conversation. Not when the outcome would affect her future and, more importantly, Ethan’s. ‘What if you’re wrong? What if love isn’t a weakness? What if...?’ She cast around for the right words. ‘What if love is the only thing strong enough to hold a family together? To hold a marriage together?’
He drew back, looking at her as if she’d spouted something outrageous. ‘Why are you raising this at the eleventh hour when you know where I stand on it?’
Because last night changed everything. Last night I realised I love you.
‘Because it’s important,’ she said.
‘Why?’
She hesitated. ‘Because I’m not sure I can settle for a loveless marriage.’ She held her breath, watched his jaw muscles clench and release.
‘What about everything else that can make a partnership strong?’ he challenged. ‘Loyalty. Commitment. Respect. Friendship.’
