Page 116 of Forbidden Deception

“Rafael…” My voice trails off, and Rafael tugs at my hand.

“Keep walking.”

I mindlessly walk, following him until we stand under the massive gazebo that could fit at least fifty people. Crystal blue waters, white sand, and untouched jungle stretch for miles around us.

Rafael drops to his knee in front of me and pulls out a small jeweller’s box. My hands fly to my mouth, the words ‘Will you marry me?’ spelled out in tall big letters standing behind him.

“No, don’t cry. You are supposed to be happy.” Rafael grins, and I shake my head.

“How could I not cry?” I choke out with a laugh. “You want a forever with me already.” I fan my eyes.

“Save the tears for when I finish speaking.”

I laugh and hastily wipe my eyes and stand straighter. “Okay, go.”

“Venezia, I hope you feel loved and cherished by me every second that you are with me. Your trust is something I’ve never taken for granted. I promise to love you forever. I will love you when we have our own kids. I will love you when they grow up and move out. I will love you with grey hair and wrinkles and will still be as in love with you as I am right now. There was never any doubt in my mind that you would one day be mine. I knew from the first moment that you were made for me.”

My tears slip from my eyes one by one.

“I may have done many terrible, wrong things in my life, but the one thing I did right was to keep you, and that is the only good I want in this life. I’ll give you anything and everything, including this land you stand on, in every effort to woo you and your crazy heart.”

I gasp out a laugh.

“You bought… this island for me? Rafael, are you crazy?”

He nods and lifts the open box higher.

“Will you marry me, Venezia?”

I look down at the diamond that looks like it’s worth as much as this island and glance at the man on his knees for me.

“Yes.” I nod, then lift my hand to him.

He carefully, reverently, slides the ring on with a beatific smile. He doesn’t finish standing up before I jump into his arms. I kiss him and keep kissing him until my lips are swollen and we’re both gasping for breath.

“I love you, Rafael. You are my first and only love. And you will forever be.”

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