Page 131 of Demanding Mob Boss

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Later that night, Cian has me wrapped in his arms after we make love and I smell like us. Just like I need to so I'll sleep deeply. It's better than my lean-to.

Or Cian's…our panic room that is now set up as my quiet space.

"I heard you and Ma talking in the kitchen."

I smile against his side, drawing a pattern over his muscled pecs with one fingertip. "I think she likes me."

"I think she loves you."

"Oh." That would be nice, to be loved by a mom again. A mom who wouldn't get tired of me because her son is my touchstone, not her.

"She was wrong about something."

I lift my head to look at him. His blue eyes blaze with emotion that everyone, including him, says he doesn't feel.

"What?" I ask.

"She said I can't love you."

My heart stutters and then starts galloping. "Are you saying you can?"

"More than can. I do. I didn't think I could feel this, but Anna,mo chroí, I told you that you are my beating heart and I meant it. Without you, the world is in shades of grey. I care for my family, but they are not vital to me. You are vital."

He cups my face, his expression not exactly vulnerable, but more open than I've ever seen it. "You are my earth, my moon, my sun, and my stars. I don’t want to take a single breath in this world without you in it. What is that, if not love?"

"I think it's love." Tears burn at the back of my eyes and there's a lump in my throat. This man. "And I feel the same toward you. Everything is too much without you, but when I am with you, it all makes sense. I love you, Cian Doyle."

"I would destroy the world to keep you safe, to keep you with me," he says fiercely.

I do not doubt him. I offer my own promise. "I would brave a stadium full of people to be with you."

He smiles and because it's so rare for him, it is like being given diamonds. "I'll never make you do that."

"I didn't think you'd want to go to a Taylor Swift concert, but if you did, I would go."

Chuckling, he holds me tight. "Don't worry, I'm not my cousin."

"It's not Connor that's going to the concert. It's Minx. She's really excited. I get hives just thinking about it."

Because I've spent so much time at Lucky Charm with Cian, I've gotten to know the escort. I like her and she's another new friend. My life has gotten so full since meeting my mob boss.

"And you'd still go for me?"

I inhale the scent of his skin and revel in the rightness of it. "I'd do anything for you."

"Even marry me?"

I know Cian doesn't tease often, but he does sometimes. Please don't let this be one of those times. His handsome face is cast in serious lines, but I have to be sure.

"You want to get married?" I ask, my voice squeaking on the wordmarried.

He kisses me, devouring my mouth with his until we are both panting and his sex is hard against my thigh. "I want to tie you to me in every way possible."

His vehemence could be frightening, if it wasn't about something I want just as much.

"I want that. I never, ever, ever want to live without you."

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