Page 58 of Always Meant To Be

Papa smiles. "We're just about done anyway,Printsessa."

Maxim walks over to me and kisses my head. I narrow my eyes at him, "You're still not forgiven."

He chuckles. "Yeah, I am. You love me too much to stay mad at me."

I raise a brow. "And you still stood back while my husband tore his stitches open."

He winces. "In my defense,dvoyurodnyy brat, he would have punched me if I got in the way, and my face is too pretty to be hurt."

I snort, leaning against my husband, whose arm goes to my waist, and my father tilts his head. "Out of curiosity, what would you do with your sister if you were in my shoes?”

I flinch and look between the men, all looking at me expectantly. Romeo gently glides his fingers up and down my arm to help soothe me, and I whisper, "She's still my sister, so honestly, I'd just marry her off to someone out of the country, but it's not my decision, Papa. She's still your daughter."

Papa nods, his eyes soft as he walks my way. Gently, he kisses my forehead and whispers, "Will you ever forgive me,Printsessa?"

I give Rome more of my weight, who takes it willingly, and I rasp, looking into my father's violet eyes, "I did years ago, Papa. I fell for Romeo, and that was your saving grace. It just took me a long time to figure out he fell for me first. You keeping me in the dark about everything—well, that was your downfall, but I'm dealing with it."

He nods, kisses my forehead again, and whispers, "I'm proud of you, Elena," before shaking Romeo's hand. "Thank you for always putting her first."

I feel Romeo nod as Papa leaves. Maxim kisses my head next, and shakes Romeo's hand before following, leaving us alone.

As soon as the door closes, I turn in Romeo's arms, wrapping mine around his neck as he leans against his desk, keeping me between his legs.

"I look frumpy compared to your receptionist," I admit, playing with the strands of hair at the base of his neck.

He grins. "You,farfalla, look gorgeous, and outshine any woman."

I feel my cheeks heat as he chuckles, gently kissing my nose.

Sniffling, tears building, I whisper, "I'm sorry."

Romeo leans forward, taking my lips with his before he counters, "You have nothing to apologize for, El. I've given you no reason to trust me over the years. If I'd just told you the truth years ago, then things would be different right now, but I didn't, and it's going to take me time to earn your trust."

Tears fall, not at all shocked he knew what I was sorry for, and I rasp, "I feel guilty that I thought you could be the type of person to harm me, harm our child, when over the years you've always kept me safe."

He sighs, moving his hands from my waist up my back, and into my loose hair, gripping it at the base of my neck, forcing me to look up at him.

His eyes are serious as he states, "I'm only going to say this once,farfalla. You are my wife, my whole fucking world, and even if it takes me years, I'll gain your trust back." His gaze pins mine. "It's going to take time, and I know there will be times you'll question me, and I'm okay with that because I fucking love you…."

I sniffle and whisper, "I love you, too," causing him to smile.

"I know,farfalla. It's why you never tried to actually move out. Your head wanted to leave, but your heart belongs right here with me."

I smile, kissing his lips gently. He licks the seam of mine, and I open, tangling my tongue with his, allowing him to deepen the kiss. My legs weaken, my libido taking over.

I groan as he pulls back, making him smirk, and I rasp, "Have I ever told you how amazing you look in a suit?"

He chuckles, but I don't care because the way his white shirt stretches over his muscles makes my mouth water.

He leans down and gives me a peck, whispering, "No sex until you've moved back into our room."

I groan again, making him laugh as I push away from him, walk toward the black door, and say, "Let's go to lunch, then."

He laughs again, coming up behind me as I open the door. His arms wrap around my waist from behind, his lips to my ear, as he whispers, "You're giving in, baby...it won't be long until you're where you belong."

I smile, ignoring Helena's eyes on us. My hands grip Romeo's arms as he guides us to the elevator, not confirming or denying his words.

"I'll be gone for the rest of the day, Helena. Report to Antonio," Rome says, and I grin wide at the thought of spending the rest of our Saturday together.

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