Page 78 of Forbidden Vows

Again. And again.

A clearing of a throat, a loud whoop, and a ‘whoa there sonny,’ pierce the air simultaneously. The surprise sound interrupts my kiss, giving me a start. Pulling away, I peer down at her. “I thought we were alone.”

“I hope you don’t mind.” She giggles as she glances over her shoulder. “I brought a few friends. Well, family.”

I follow her gaze towards the overgrown bushes along the side of the house, seeing several half-hidden familiar faces. “So I’m guessing they know…we’ve been hooking up?”

“I kind of let it slip when I told them all I was coming back to Italy to tell you I couldn’t live without you.”

Her words fill my chest with a warm softness. “You couldn’t live without me?”

“Nope.” She stares up at me, smiling, and the look in her eyes has me melting. “Not another day.”

Ma and Falcon are standing together, Falcon’s arm around Ma, and Haze. Silly lovestruck looks are plastered on their faces. Even Haze’s.

“They’ve got pretty good timing,” I say. “I’m glad they’re here for what comes next.”

She gives me a curious look. “Which is?”

I slip my hand into my pocket, pulling out a simple gold band holding a massive diamond. I hold it up to her. “Will you be my happily ever after, forever?”

She stares at the diamond in shock. It sparkles as the sunlight hits it. “Where did you get that?”

“My pocket.” It’s been in my pocket every day since she arrived. I don’t know why I slipped in there this morning, but I did. I don’t tell her I bought it the morning after my brother’s wedding, meandering down to the family's luxury jewelry store, where I picked out the perfect ring for her. That’s a secret I’ll keep to myself.

My heart pounds in my ears. I need her answer. Now. “Marry me?”

“Oh my…Oh…my!” She stares down at the ring, momentarily stunned before immediately holding out her left hand, offering me her ring finger. “Yes! Of course. Yes.”

I slip the ring on. “Perfect fit,” I say.

“Just like us.” She stares down at the diamond glittering from her hand, then glances back up at me. “Thank you. This is the most beautiful ring I’ve seen. Kiss me again.”

This time, instead of hollering at us from behind the bushes as we embrace, the family joins us, pulling us into a tangle of arms and faces for a congratulatory group hug. After squeezing us tightly, they break away for individual hugs and well wishes.

“Celebratory drinks at the café?” I call to the group.

They agree, and my fiancée and I bring up the rear, following the cheerful group to the café with her hand in mine, the cool metal of her ring pressing against my skin, reminding me how lucky I am.

I squeeze her fingers and lean down. “The real reason for drinks at the café is that I want everyone here to know you are officially mine. Word spreads fast here on the Estate. And the bachelor brothers with the wandering eyes will know this little lady is officially taken.”

“You’re silly,” she blushes. “No one was ever looking at me.”

She still doesn’t know how beautiful she is but now I’ve got the rest of my life to show her.

She whispers back to me, “I was so worried, thinking everyone was going to be positively scandalized by our getting together.”

“What? You? Worried about what others might think?” I raise my brows in mock surprise.

“Ha. Ha. I had good reason. It’s not every day stepsiblings get together.”

“Let them talk because all of Italy is going to be watching these two siblings get married.”

“Step-sibling—” she goes to correct me, but stops. “You know what,” she shakes her head, laughing lightly. “It doesn’t matter anymore. Let’s just say we’re fiancés from now on.”

“Husband and wife.”

Her adorable nose crinkles. “And when people ask who our in-laws are? We’ve only got my dad and your mom.”

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