Page 74 of This Thing of Ours

A small furrow form between his brow. “Are you sure? We can take them back and get something else.”

God, he was wonderful, and she was acting like a spoiled brat. She threw her arms around his neck. “They’re perfect. Thank you. Thank you so much.”

His arms wrapped around her and held her tight. And she realized, even without a ring, it was the best Christmas ever.

Because she finally had her man.

Marco lay awake, watching shadows dance along the ceiling. The room was silent. As was Gabriella, though he knew she was still awake, too. She lay, curled against his side, her head on his chest. But her breathing wasn’t even, and occasionally, he heard a soft sigh.

He looked at the clock. Eleven fifty-nine. Close enough. He trailed a hand down her arm and entwined their fingers. “Can’t sleep?”

She was silent so long, he thought she’d fake sleep, but then she answered, “I’m trying, but I can’t seem to drift off.”

“Maybe I didn’t wear you out enough. Do you need more than two orgasms to fall asleep?”

She made a cute little snorting sound. “No. I just can’t get my brain to turn off.”

“What are you thinking about?” She’d been quiet at dinner too. In fact, she’d been quiet since after they’d opened presents.

“Nothing in particular. My mind’s just racing.”

“You know, I meant what I said earlier. If you don’t like the earrings, we can take them back and get something else. I promise, you won’t hurt my feelings.”

She got up on an elbow to look at him. “That’s not it at all. The earrings are beautiful. I truly love them.”

He cupped her jaw with his hand and ran his thumb over the soft skin of her cheek. “You like them, but it’s not what you really wanted.”

She parted her lips to speak, and he quickly moved his thumb covering them. “Don’t lie. I saw the disappointment in your eyes when you opened them.”

“I wasn’t disappointed,” she mumbled around his finger.

“Now, that’s a lie. Would you like to try again?”

She pursed her lips and closed her eyes, and he unleashed the smile he’d been holding. So stubborn and so sweet.

He reached under his pillow and pulled out the small gift he’d hidden there that morning. “Maybe you’ll like this one better.”

Her eyes snapped open, and he held the present out to her. She hesitated, and he gave it a wiggle. “Go on, open it.”

She sat up and crossed her legs before reaching for the package. It was the same size and shape as the one he’d given her earlier.

He reached over, clicking on the bedside lamp before scooting farther up the bed, resting his back against the headboard to watch her. She slowly peeled off the paper revealing another jeweler’s box. Her eyes found his before she looked back down and opened the lid.

Confusion creased her brow as she pulled out the folded piece of paper tucked inside the otherwise empty box.

“Read it.”

Her eyes darted to his again before unfolding the note. He watched her scan the paper before she took a shuddering breath as a tear fell down her cheek.

He waited for what felt like a long fucking time before saying, “Your silence is killing me.”

Her eyes snapped to his, and her hand covered her mouth before she started nodding vigorously, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears and excitement.

Marco chuckled. “I need the words, cara mia.”

That’s when she threw herself at him, landing half on, half off his body. “Yes. A hundred times, yes.”

“Then I suppose you want this.” He opened his fist and lying in the center of his palm was a diamond ring.

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