After, I smooth my hands to her chest. Wrap my arms around her. Kiss the back of her neck.
“I love you, Bella,” I whisper. “So much.”
She reaches up. Touches my face. Her voice is croaky with pleasure and emotion. “I love you too.”
I driveher to dinner on the top of the tallest hill on my land. A ring of fairy lights surround a table with a bottle of champagne resting in a bucket, candles flickering on the table. She takes my hand and steps from my car.
My mouth waters as I look at her. And not from the prospect of a meal.
Her hair flows wildly down her back. Wearing a subtle layer of makeup that highlights her natural beauty. Her dress is modest but has sexy hints that drive me feral, a slit up the side showing a slice of thigh.
It’s the look in her eyes that gets me the most, though. The glint of belonging. The emotion flooding her expression every time we make serious eye contact at each other. It’s like something ancient inside her is speaking to the ancient something in me.
“Why do I get the feeling you’re thinking about fate again?” she says, grabbing my shirt and pulling herself close.
I cradle her back. Splay my fingers so I can feel her warmth and pull her against me.
“I was born into a shitty life, beautiful,” I tell her.
“I know,” she murmurs softly.
I’ve told her about my parents’ deaths. About what the Russian mob did, prompting me to join the Italians. To climb the ranks and try to make it right.
“And I’ll be here to talk with you about it, tohearyou” she whispers. “Always.”
“Thank you,” I say, brushing my lips against hers. “But I wasn’t trying to be a downer. My point is … I never thought I’d have this, Bella. I never even tried. It always felt hollow. Even the idea of it. Then you came along. You transformed me.”
She slides her hand to the back of my neck. Clings on like she never wants to let go.
“Alex?” she whimpers.
She knows. I can see it.
Tonight is about more than a meal.
“I was going to wait until after dinner,” I say. “But I can’t wait anymore. This new life of ours, Bella Hart, it’s a canvas. And I’m ready to paint something amazing. Something beautiful. I’m ready to paint a miracle with you.”
She gasps, hand flying to her mouth, when I lower myself to one knee. Reach into my suit jacket and take out a ring box. Open it and show her a big glistening diamond set within a white-gold band, every bit as elegant and full as she is.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” she cries. “Oh my God, yes!”
I slide the ring onto her finger. Jump up and pull the love of my life into my arms. Spin her into a kiss that would fit on a movie poster about true love.
She smiles breathlessly up at me. “One thing.”
“Yeah?”
“How are we going to get dinner all the way up here?”
I grin, reach into my pocket and take out my phone.
“What are you in the mood for? For a starter, say.”
She smiles. “Uh, garlic bread?”
“Garlic bread it is.”
