Page 120 of All Mine
He blanched, and she rushed to explain, before he took it the wrong way.
‘I love you, Etienne, more than I have ever loved anyone else.’ Even as she said the words, she knew they were true. There was no comparison to this craving, this need to be with him. She laced her fingers through his and rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb.
‘But sometimes, as we know, it’s good to wait for the things you want.’
His eyes were searching hers, looking for an answer, hoping for a future.
‘And I want to be with you for ever,’ she said, covering his hands with her own. He exhaled slowly, the beginnings of a half-smile lifting his lips.
‘So, how about a year of everything but marriage?’ she suggested and he raised an eyebrow as he considered the idea.
‘Define “everything but marriage”,’ he said, the glint back in his eye. ‘Just so I’m clear.’
‘What do you need to know?’ she asked.
‘Living together?’ he asked.
‘I’d love to,’ she said.
‘Committed to each other?’
‘Exclusively,’ she said.
‘Planning a future together?’ She knew her smile had turned into a grin.
‘Definitely.’
He held her eyes and then nodded.
‘Tutto Mio?’ he asked, his eyes shy as he said the Italian words.
‘All yours,’ she confirmed.
‘And in a year?’ he asked.
She bit her lip, but only to stop the excited laugh that was bubbling there, but it escaped anyway.
‘Then I’d love to marry you.’
He laughed and raised his glass.
‘One year.’
She lifted her glass to his and they clinked gently together as their eyes met and held.
‘One year.’
They drank their toast and came up smiling.
‘Only you, Bella, would come up with a plan like that.’ He blew out the candle and stood. He pulled her from her chair, lifting her until her legs were wrapped around his waist, and started walking towards the stairs, holding her up. She twined her hands around his neck as he mounted the stairs one by one, carrying her with him to bed. She had the man she loved in her arms and between her legs and things were only going to get better.
‘Right, let me show you exactly how good not being married can be,’ Etienne said, kicking open his bedroom door.
‘Looking forward to it,’ she said, twisting her hands in his hair and smiling when he growled.
