“I think I’d like that.” Her smile is almost shy.
I smile back. “But first, I need to make an honest woman of you.”
“What?” She frowns as I reach an arm behind me to a place beneath the pillow. A place where I tucked a small black velvet box last night. I take her hand and thread my fingers through hers as I flip the box open with the other. “What are you doing?” She glances at my hand and then at the box, her eyes huge.
“I’m making sure you don’t get up and start running when I ask you to marry me.”
“What?” she says again. Her eyes are on the ring, then on mine. “You’re proposing to me while your cock is still in me?”
“Yip.” My grin is unapologetic. “I can’t think of a better way, can you? When I tried going down on one knee, you bolted and went off after some freaking psychopath. I’m not taking any chances this time.” She shakes her head, smiling, and it makes me glad. It’s taken weeks to mention that time without her shutting down. My girl’s healing inside now. She’s so damn strong.
Andy reaches a fingertip to the glittering gem, then snatches her hand back and clutches it to her chest.
“It’s so fucking big!”
“That’s what she said,” I tease. The stone is twice as large as the previous one. Maybe size counts. Who knows? I’m playing all my cards this time. “Maybe you’ll keep this one.”
“I kept the other,” she says quickly, and I’m a little surprised.
“You did?”
“Of course. It’s with…all my precious things. I’ll show you!” She turns as if to get off, and I tighten my grip, tugging her back to me. I may not be rock-hard anymore, but there’s enough going on down there for her to take a sharp little breath.
“You’re not going anywhere, Andy. Not till you give me an answer.”
“An answer to what?” she says archly.Cheeky wench.
“Andrea Carter…will you be my wife?” I repeat.
“But I haven’t even…told you I love you yet.”
She’s right. She hasn’t. I lift an eyebrow.
“So? What are you waiting for?” I haven’t forced this issue because I know she does love me. I just know it. It’s only the words that are hard for her.
“You’re awful sure of yourself, Mr. Ricci.”
“Of course I am. I have a ‘Mateo button.’ Nobody else will ever find it.”
“You’re probably right.” She puts a fingertip to her bottom lip. “Probably coz nobody else has a cock as big.”
“Damn straight. Now, where’s my answer?”
“Welllll…” She draws the word out.
“Don’t make me put you over my knee, woman!”
“What? Is that an option too?” She winks at me. Fucking winks.
“Andy! For fuck’s sakes!” Frustration and laughter are starting to build.
“All right! All right! I love you, okay? I fucking love you, Mateo Ricci!” She stops short as she says it and our eyes lock for a moment. I’m not one for tears, but this is close. So damn close. She blinks quickly, then looks down, still blinking.
“Will you marry me, Andy?” I whisper again. She gives a slight nod, then tips her head up with a tiny smile.
“Yes. God, yes, I’ll marry you, Mateo,” she whispers back. I know I should get that ring on her finger, but I can’t. I tug at her hand, and then she’s tumbling down onto my chest as I wrap my arms around her. She starts laughing as I roll her over, then pin her beneath me.
“Say it again,” I demand.
