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“That was posturing. I’m not letting you go without a fight. Now, be quiet so I can do this right.” He cleared his throat and gazed into my eyes, which even on his knees, were just above mine. I felt the white-hot love pouring out of what others thought of as cold silver eyes.
“Catalina Popescu, I love you. Would you do me the honor of spending the rest of your life with me?”
Between the look in his eyes and the sincerity in his voice, but especially in his actions, I believed him. He wanted me. More than paying for school, a man didn’t take the time to forge boring college essays unless he was serious.
Taking the ring out, he held it up to me with a question in his expression. He swallowed audibly. That had to be the first and only time I had seen Luca almost…flustered.
My tummy fluttered and I shivered with pleasure. Stifling a wild laugh, I gave a dramatic sigh, wiggled my fingers in front of him, and said breathlessly, “After all the effort you’ve gone to, I suppose I could give it a try.”
Taking my hand, he placed the ring on my finger and kissed my knuckles. Then, he swept me off the couch and onto his lap and wrapped his arms around me tightly. “You won’t regret it.” He peppered kisses over my face. “I won’t ever let a day pass when I don’t prove myself to you, sweet girl.”
Hooking my arms around his neck, I nuzzled into the crook of his throat, inhaling his delicious scent. I went limp with relief. For the first time since Cristo convinced me to spy on Luca, I stretched my lungs and took in a full breath of relief. I tightened my hold around him and let out a little squeal of joy.
“We’re going to get married! Oh my God, I have to tell Jewel,” I said, pulling away to grab the cell beside me.
Tensing his hold on me, he said, “Hold up, take a minute and breathe before you run away to do something else, and…tell me you’ll move in with me.” His voice dropped a few octaves. “I missed you, baby.”
I cast my eyes down. “We shouldn’t tempt fate. The first time around, we did things in the wrong order and look where it got us. Like opening an umbrella inside, it triggers bad luck.”
He huffed out an exasperated laugh. “That’s a trivial Romanian superstition, it’s not real. The blood bond is a legitimate union.”
“Not as legitimate as a wedding,” I countered.
“Still, it’s been hell. I won’t live without you,” he growled, dropping kisses down the side of my face and nipping at my earlobe. “It’s too long to wait for the big wedding over a month away.” He gave a dramatic sigh.
“You’re getting bossy again,” I scolded.
“You like me bossy,” he retorted.
“Sure about that?”
He captured my lips, trapping me in a hedonistic kiss that had me moaning into his mouth.
Pulling away, he replied, “I’m sure.”
Playing with the button of his shirt, I smoothed my hand down his hard chest. “It would be safer if I didn’t.”
“Fuck safe, baby. I need you with me. Promise me that you’ll come home now. We can order takeout and eat in bed and go over the course catalog,” he cajoled, burrowing his nose into my hair. “The first year has general requirements you’ll need to fulfill.”
My heart melted. “You already know that there’s a required curriculum?”
“Yeah, for first-years,” he confirmed.
I caught the glint of the diamond ring on my finger and my eyes stung. My dream of going to college was coming true, and it had everything to do with this stubborn, sexy man. This man who loved me enough to let me go and gave me every reason to come back to him. My gaze returned to his, and I said, “Yes, Luca, I’ll come with you.”
