Page 234 of Forced Vows

My throat is dry, my palms sweaty. My heart is beating so hard I can feel it.

I've been working so hard on the new décor, and this will be the first time that he sees it.

For the sake of security, Miceli insisted we stay with his family while the actual work was being done. Because I didn't want him to see anything before it was all finished, I agreed.

Staying with his family has been good for my relationship with Aria. We've gotten to know each other, and I like her. She likes me too, now. And I adore my sister-in-law Catalina almost as much as my cousins at this point.

Accompanied by a full security detail, I've been overseeing the workmen and transformation to our home. Miceli has been working in his office, but I wouldn't let him come up to the penthouse.

He's been complaining about not being able to see more of me because I'm up here while he's on a lower floor.

As of today, that can end.

Miceli walks into the room, his eyes on me.

He doesn't look anywhere else. He doesn't see his paintings on the walls or the new sofa and chairs. All he sees is me.

And my heart thuds for a different reason. Miceli De Luca loves me. I am the center of his world.

"What do you think?"

He gives me a look from head to toe, and his eyes darken with desire. "I like the yoga pants. They show your ass off but that T-shirt is too big for you."

"It's one of yours."

"You like stealing from my wardrobe."

"Yep. It's one of the bennies of being in a serious relationship."

He reaches me and draws me into his arms. "If by serious, you mean we're together until one of us kicks the bucket, yeah, I can see that."

"You and your morbid thoughts."

"Maybe you'll train me to stop thinking of death by the time our first kid is born," he offers.

I wrap my hand around the back of his neck, loving that I have the freedom to touch him whenever I want. "Well, I've got some time to do that since I'm not getting pregnant right away."

Something flashes in his eyes.

I put my hand up to stop him from saying what I know is going to come out of his mouth. Some morbid thing about how he needs to have an heir before too long in case he dies young.

"You are not dying young. I just got you. And I am keeping you forever. And if not, having a kid to train to be the next don will stop you from taking any chances…"

"I don't need any other reason than to know you are here waiting for me. I don't take the risks that will stop me from coming home to you."

"Good to know." Getting lost in his eyes, I forget what I'm supposed to be showing him.

We kiss.

But when he goes to pick me up to carry me to the bedroom, I remember. And I press against his chest "Wait. I want you to see."

"I want to see you too. "

Laughter bubbles out of me. "That's not what I meant. But it can be on the menu for later."

"I'm ready to feast now."

"Look around, my love, and tell me what you think."

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