Page 36 of Accepting His Name (The Sartoris 1)

He dragged her onto his lap and stroked a hand along her back. She cradled his head against her chest as he sat in silence, breathing in her scent.

“Ezio?”

“Hm.”

“Are you happy?”

“I am. You’ve made me a very happy man.”

She played with a button on his shirt, rotating it between her finger and thumb. “I have to admit I’m worried.”

He drew back with a crease between his brows. “Why? Is there a health concern?”

“No, not that.” All she needed was for him to decide she had to be on bed rest. She just got him to lighten up when it came to her coming and going as she pleased. Dean had to practically glue himself to her, and she suspected Ezio had hired a second man to watch her while hidden out of sight.

“Talk to me, Shakarri. Whatever it is, I’ll fix it for you.”

She grinned. “You would think that way, and I guess you’re right. I need you to fix this.”

“Immediately.”

Her heart fluttered. She loved him so much. “I’m nervous you’ll divorce me and take our baby from me. You did that with your ex.”

“There’s always risk in marriage, Shakarri. You know that.”

She started to get down from his lap, but he held her where she was. His hands on her hips were possessive as they always were.

“My first instinct is another contract, but I no longer desire to go that route.”

“What do you mean?”

He drew in a deep breath and blew it out. For the first time, she saw hesitation, even insecurity, in Ezio. He cupped her face between his hands. “You are the donna più bella—the most beautiful woman on this planet. Stubborn and hardheaded, you fight me when I want to protect you but—”

“But?” She grinned.

“…it’s okay because…” He flushed. “Ti amo.”

Her heart soared. She knew those words. “I love you.” Tears sprang to her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. Ezio used his thumbs to wipe them away, but he was fighting a losing battle when it came to her waterworks. She was without question more emotional of late. When he saw that he couldn’t stop her crying, he drew her head to his shoulder and hiked her dress higher so she could straddle his hips. Ezio hugged her like he would never let go.

“I want us to see our marriage differently than the way it began,” he said. “I want you to forget about who I am and just be my wife and the mother of my children. I won’t demand that you love me.”

She chuckled. “Thanks for that.”

He frowned. “You know what I mean. I can’t expect that you’ll love me right away, but I will work to gain your heart.”

“Like this trip?”

“For starters.”

She looked into his eyes. “Ezio, would you do anything I ask?”

“Within reason. If you want something that compromises your health or safety, then the answer would be no. Anything else, I’ll give you. Shall I give you the moon, mio amore?”

“No, I have what I wanted.” It was time to stop hiding since he had come clean with her. He told her he loved her, although she suspected it was true for a while now. “Ezio, I love you too.”

“Sha,” he cried out, for the first time using her nickname.

Shakarri clung to him, kissing him and putting into it everything she felt, all the happiness he had brought her, all the pleasure at his touch, all the sensations of being safe in his arms. She didn’t draw breath until her lips were numb, and she twisted around to rest with her back to his chest.

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