Page 36 of Burning for the Italian

Of course she knew what was coming. How could she not?

Every month for over a year, her darling Renzo had asked her to marry him. Each time she’d demurred, saying there was no need to rush into anything.

Now she knew she’d been over-cautious, conditioned to be wary of promises for the future. 

But that was in the past. The news she’d received this morning had made her reassess her feelings and her doubts. And the result? She’d finally admitted that Renzo was the one man she could love for the rest of her life. And whom she trusted to love her back.

Sonia lifted her hand and stopped his words with her fingers on his lips.

‘Sh. There’s something I need to ask you.’

‘There is?’ he mumbled against her hand, sending tickles of delicious sensation cascading through her already-aroused body.

‘There is.’ She drew a deep breath, feeling gossamer butterflies tremble in her belly. ‘I love you, Renzo Veracini. Will you marry me?’

For a split second astonishment froze his features. Then he grabbed her hand and kissed her palm, burying his face there. When he lifted his head she’d never seen him look so starkly emotional. As if pared back to the most elemental level. Then his face transformed with that trademark smile.

‘Si.’ He kissed her palm again. ‘Si.’ He kissed her wrist, lingering at the place where her pulse flickered so fast. ‘Si, si, si.’ He worked his way up her bare arm, making her knees wobble and her insides melt so the only thing keeping her standing was him.

‘I love you, Sonia. You make me the happiest man in Rome. No, in the whole world.’ His eyes blazed incandescent. ‘Nothing could make me happier.’

After all the things they’d shared together it was ridiculous to be shy. Yet that was how she felt as she took his other hand in hers, pulling it down between them.

‘Actually, I hope there’s room for a little more happiness.’ She planted his broad palm against her flat stomach where those butterflies swarmed and one day soon she’d feel something much stronger. ‘Because I have news.’ 

Those dark eyebrows winged upwards as understanding hit. If she’d wondered how he’d react to her pregnancy, any doubts were dispelled at the magnitude of what she read in his face.

‘Bella.’ Renzo’s voice was hoarse with emotion. ‘I have no words for the way I feel.’

But he didn’t need words as he cradled her close and murmured broken endearments. He kissed her till she forgot everything but the man who held her as if she were the most precious thing in his world. The man who’d stolen her heart but gave her so much in return.

When she finally fronted the press Sonia’s hair was slightly mussed, her cheeks flushed and her eyes brilliant as stars. But with Renzo Veracini at her side she didn’t care. She’d found the love of her life and no matter what the future held, he was hers and she was his. 

Life with Renzo would be the best, most satisfying adventure possible.