Page 54 of Vows of Betrayal

She was asking me to lay off this subject. For a few days. Technically, she wouldn't have to respond to the acceptance letter for a while.

We had time.

I wasn't giving up.

I wasn't giving in.

I was just—delaying the decision making on her part.

If she needed a few days to let everything sink in—then I could do that.

She might think I was talking out of my ass—and that I really wouldn't have her move in with me. She likely had doubts. After all, the woman couldn't see inside my head. She didn't know the depths of my commitment.

But she would.

And soon.

I gathered up the loan papers and looked at her. “Okay. We'll discuss this again in a few days. While you're packing up whatever shit you want to bring to my place.”

All I got out of her was a small smile and a nod.

After that, she announced that she needed a quick shower. And then she was going out to clean up her car.

Once she was in the bathroom, and I heard the shower turn on—I pushed off the bed and hunted down her phone. It was on top of the shitty dresser. I'd taken note of her security code. So, I quickly tapped it in. It didn't take me long to dial my assistant. When he answered, I said, “It's me. I need you to do something right now.”

17

Stefan

“Fuck,” I said as I pushed another load of my come up into her. She'd just made me shoot my load all over her stomach. I was breathing hard, but I was still determined to get as much of me inside her as I possibly could.

And Francesca let me.

She always let me.

And I fuckin' loved it.

I loved her.

So goddamn much.

And I was finally going to tell her.

“Chesca,” I said, barely catching my breath while my hand grazed slowly up her belly. “I love you. I'm taking you home tomorrow. Pack what you want. Or leave it all and I'll buy you new shit. I don't care. I'll call for one of my cars to pick us up. Leave that brown piece of shit to die in the back parking lot where it belongs. I'll have one of my guys dispose of it for you. If you want a car, you can drive one of mine. Or pick out something else that you like, and I'll have it delivered to the house.” I kissed her temple and pulled her into me. “Whatever you want. I don't give a fuck what you drive. Or if you drive. There's always a driver available to take you anywhere you want. So, if you don't want to drive, you don't have to.”

Fuck.

It felt good to finally tell her all that. I hadn't brought up her school, but I would now, as well. “You're all paid up to go to school. For your entire degree. If you want to go. Like I said before, if you go for a week and you change your mind—” I rubbed her arm. “Then you change your mind and find something else. Or not. You don't have to go to school. You don't have to work. Do whatever the fuck you want. But first, in a few weeks or so, I'm taking you somewhere hot. And all you'll wear are bikinis. Or nothing at all.” I chuckled and cupped the side of her head, my fingers diving into her hair. “And you decide if I take your virginity in my bed,” I kissed her lips, “or on my plane,” I kissed her again. “Or on a white sandy beach.” Then I kissed her with more intent. And she let me.

A few minutes after that—she was sound asleep in my arms. And I gladly followed.

Tomorrow was going to be the first day of the rest of our lives together.

18

Francesca

Imoved slowly. Inch by inch.

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