He stilled. “Am I hurting you?”
“No. It’s just, I’m not on birth control. You need to put on a condom.” This was our first time having sex after my injuries.
“I don’t want to.” He smiled and kissed my nose.
“What?”
“Pippa needs a sibling.”
“So soon? She’s barely going to be nine months. We just got back together.” Whoa, this was a complete one-eighty from the man who never wanted kids. I had no objection to giving Pippa a sibling. I’d been so sad during my pregnancy with her, it would be nice to be happy with the next one.
“Yeah, I know. I just missed everything with Pippa and want a do-over. But if you don’t want to risk getting pregnant, I’ll go suit up. I can wait a little longer.” He gave me a heart-stopping slow wink.
“I’m not sure what to say.” Like we were a couple, but it surprised me that he hadn’t mentioned making our relationship permanent. His family were traditional Italiansand believed in marriage. “I didn’t take very good care of myself with Pippa and she was born early. We really haven’t talked about that.”
“I know some about it and would like to move past it.”
“Okay.” I wanted to move past it too.
He slowly pulled out of me. “I’ll be right back.” Before I could stop him, he was gone.
I didn’t want him to wear a condom. I hated feeling the barrier between us during sex, so I’d been on the pill, which hadn’t worked like it was supposed to. But I was glad. Pippa meant everything to me. After she was born, I didn’t have a reason to get back on the pill.
Ciro stalked toward me, his rich-brown eyes locked on mine. He wasn’t wearing a condom.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
He dropped to his knees, took my right hand, and placed the square packet in it. “If you want me to put it on, I will. You said you didn’t know what to say. I think that’s because you don’t know if you can trust me.”
I shook my head and opened my mouth.
Ciro fingers went on my lips to stop me. “Hear me out. You have every reason to be guarded, but I want to assure you that I’m all in, My-la. I love you with my entire being. I’ve loved you since our first date. I will love you until I take my last breath.”
Happy tears flooded my eyes. I’d waited so long to hear those words from him. Even though he’d told them to me weeks ago and randomly here and there, they sounded more precious right now while we were both naked and vulnerable.
“I love you too, Ciro. I’ll never stop loving you.”
“I’m sorry it took me years to give you the words you needed to hear. I promise to tell you I love you every day forthe rest of our lives.” He took my left hand and kissed my ring finger. “Marry me, My-la. Make me the happiest man in the universe and become Mrs. Ciro Remotti.” He presented the most stunning oval diamond ring. Small chocolate diamonds surrounded it. It was gorgeous and large, but it didn’t hold a candle to his glittering brown depths watching me.
“Really? You’re sure about this?” I was completely overwhelmed by this man, but in a good way.
“I’ve never been surer about anything in my life. I love you.”
“Marrying you is all I ever wanted. You were so against it before. I’m afraid my mind is playing tricks on me.”
“This is real, baby.” He slid the ring on my finger. “Isla Martin, you’re already the mother of my child. I want you to be my wife too. Will you marry me?” He swallowed thickly, appearing nervous as he waited for my answer.
“Yes, I’ll marry you!”
“I promise to make you the happiest woman alive.”
“You can start with making love to me. No condom.”
51
CIRO
Tonight wasthe grand opening of my newest casino in Canada, and I had the most beautiful woman at my side, who also happened to be the head designer.
