Page 15 of Paying Dad's Italian Debt

“Maybe. Why do all your punishments feel so good?” Her voice is light, and it gives me hope that she isn’t ready to run from me anymore.

“Two reasons. One, because I never want to make you feel anything negative, and two, because I want you to like them so much that you can’t get enough of me,” I tilt her face up to look into mine, kissing her gently on her soft, full lips.

Something passes over her face, and she nibbles at her bottom lip. “It’s not….it’s not because you love me?”

I still, cupping her face with both hands and searching her eyes. She’s not upset that I love her, she’s hopeful. I have to swallow past the emotion in my throat. “Three reasons, then. The third is because I love you.”

She makes a small sound, eyes misting over right before she puts her hands over mine where I hold her face. “I think I love you too, Cosimo. Actually, I know I do, even if you’ve done terrible things. Does that make me a bad person?”

“No sweetheart, of course not. It makes you mine. Tell me you’re staying.” My voice is rough and desperate, but Clara puts all my fears to rest when she brushes her lips with mine.

“I’ll stay. Even if it’s a crazy decision, I’ll stay.”

I crush her to me, heart racing. “Let’s get you cleaned up, beautiful girl, because I’m taking you out tonight. This is a reason to celebrate.”

Her laugh sounds like the tinkling of bells, light and happy. “I suppose it is, isn’t it?”

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