Without a second’s hesitation, I say, “Yes. I never say anything I don’t mean.”
Fear ghosts through her gaze. “Can you promise me one thing?”
“Anything.”
“Once you do grow tired of me, just let me go. Don’t become cold and mean.”
“You’ll learn with time that I won’t ever get bored with you, but for your peace of mind, I swear on all that’s holy, I will never turn cruel to you, and if the impossible happens, I’ll let you go to live your life as you wish.”
She holds up her hand, then says, “I’m going to need a pinky swear.”
That’s a first for me, but humoring her, I hook my pinky around hers.
Laurie stares long and hard at me, then curls the rest of her fingers around mine, a vulnerable expression making her look even more breathtaking.
Christ.
There’s a hard thump where my heart has lain frozen when it comes to women. It’s as if the look she’s giving me breathes life into the organ, and as it beats stronger and stronger, I fall irrevocably in love for the first time in my life.
This entire thing with Laurie has happened in a flash, like an ember hitting dry foliage and exploding into a wildfire.
Right now it burns through everything I thought I knew about love.
It alters the very shape of my fucking mind.
“Okay,” she whispers, holding my hand tighter. “I’ll give you a chance.”
I pull her against my chest, and placing my other hand behind her head, I press a kiss to her forehead. “Thank you.”
For the first time, Laurie wraps her arms around my middle, and as she hugs me, I’m filled with a sense of peace I’ve never experienced before.
My other half is finally starting to accept me.
Laurie
After a very exhausting, emotional, and just plain crazy morning and afternoon, I wave the white flag.
I meant what I said. I’m going to give Adriano a chance because, except for the nasty business with conning me into marrying him and killing that man, he hasn’t physically hurt me.
If he weren’t a mob boss, he’d be perfect. My very ownPretty Womanmoment.
So, I’m going to get to know the man I suddenly find myself married to, because whether he terrifies me or not, I’m tied to him for the unforeseeable future.
I take the last bite of the pasta and pat my mouth with the napkin. “Thank you,” I say, my gaze darting all over Adriano, where he’s sitting on the other couch. “It was delicious.”
“You’re welcome.”
I get up, and out of habit, I take his empty plate and carry it to the kitchen. On my way to the sink, I notice a dishwasher, and a smile curves my lips.
I always wanted one, but Austin said he didn’t trust a machine to clean the dishes he has to eat from.
Setting the plates down on the counter, I open the door and try to figure out how it works.
“Laurie.”
“Yeah?” I lift my head, but seeing the hard lines on Adriano’s face, I straighten up.
“Leave the dishes.”
