Page 48 of Hired By The Forbidden Italian

‘No...’ She thought about what he’d just said and her heart did a few more somersaults. Did she want him to stop? Of course, she wasn’t going to fall for any smooth talk and casual lies, but his words were like nectar. ‘Maybe...’ she fudged.

‘Which bit do you want me to repeat? The bit where I tell you how hard and fast I fell for you? Or the bit where I say that I’ve been a blind fool for not seeing what was in front of me?’ His voice was soft and serious and thoughtful. ‘I can’t live without you, Sophie, and what I’d really like is for you to give me a chance, a chance for us to build a family.’

Which bits did she want him to repeat?

All of them. For ever and in slow motion. Because happiness could not have felt more perfect.

‘Really?’ was what she said, and he smiled.

‘Really. And to prove I’m not stringing you along, which, incidentally, I would never do, I’m going to do something I always swore I would never do again. I’m going to ask you to marry me. So, Sophie, will you wear my ring and spend the rest of your life by my side? Because if you don’t then I have no idea what I’ll do.’

‘Give me a while to think about it...’ Sophie smiled. Cloud nine was feeling good. ‘I’ve thought. Yes. Yes, I will. Because I love you now and for ever.’