Page 97 of Taboo Flames

“What is it?” I ask, confused by the sudden mood change.

He finally finds what he’s searching for and sits up. Then, he grabs my hand and slides a ring on my ring finger. “There, now we’re engaged.”

I stare down at the huge diamond on my finger in surprise. When did he even have time to buy this? And also, the stone is so large and shiny that I’m sure people all the way over in Africa are being blinded by it.

“It’s too small,” I say sarcastically.

“I knew the bastard was talking shit when he said this was the largest they had,” he snarls. “When I find him, I’ll?—”

“Oh, God, I’m kidding.” I cut in immediately. “If it’s any larger, a truck will have to be hired and kept on standby to transport my hand.”

“Do you like it?” he asks.

“What’s it for?” I feign confusion. “I’m not really the ring type.”

He gives me a dry look. “I can tattoo my name on your ring finger if you prefer that, princess.”

I laugh, but when he doesn’t join in, I immediately sober up. “Y—you’re not kidding?” I squeak in shock. “You’re crazy! And you never asked me to marry you. You have to ask me properly.”

“Marry me,” he says.

I huff. “That’s not how it’s done. I’m this close to leaving you for someone who actually knows how to propose to a woman. I want to be romanticized as much as the next woman, Gio. I want a beach wedding. No, I want a destination wedding. Wait, or maybe something on a ship. What would you like?”

“I just want to marry you.”

My heart melts instantly at his simple answer and the honesty shining in his eyes.

“I can settle for a church wedding,” I tell him. “But I’m not negotiating on my dress. A girl has to have standards.”

“Hmm,” he hums, his hands sliding up to cup my breasts with his large hands.

“What’s your dream wedding?” I ask him, curious.

He peers up at me. “A wedding is not something I ever thought would be a part of my future. In fact, I never really thought much of a future. I took every day in stride. What do you think of kids?”

I blink at the sudden change in topic. “Well, I’m not sure about that right now.”

I try to calculate when I last had my period, but his hands on my body are far too distracting. Fuck it. Whatever comes out of it, I’m going to take it in stride.

“Hmm,” he hums again before he lifts his head and takes one of my hard nipples into his mouth.

I moan. “You’re not even listening to me. Is sex the only thing on your mind? Don’t you ever get tired of it?”

“I always listen to you,” he says, licking across the mounds of my breasts. “You were saying something about me pushing you down on all fours and making you scream. And no, princess, the day I get tired of worshipping this body, shoot me in the head and toss my body into a ditch.”

I give him an exasperated look, but on the inside, I enjoy how obsessed he is with my body, how he always wants to have his hands on me, and how insatiable he is for me.

“You have to ask my brother for permission for my hand,” I tease.

Gio pulls away and glowers at me. “Fuck that. I’m not asking Leo for permission to do anything. I own you, and I have my full permission to marry you.”

I giggle at how ridiculous he’s being. “The days of slavery are over, baby. You can’t legally own a human being these days.”

My serious speech is ruined by the sound of my stomach grumbling.

“Up,” he orders. “Food first, burying myself in your pussy second.”

“Who said romance is dead?” I shake my head at him and climb out of the bed. “I’m going to shower first. I think I have cum in my hair.”

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