by Kim Lawrence
‘If I take the money will you marry me?’
‘It doesn’t work that way. You’re welcome to the money.’
He framed her face with his hands. ‘I don’t need the money. I need you.’
Neve closed her eyes, wishing with every fibre of her being that she could allow herself to take what he said at face value.
‘And I need to marry for love.’
‘Then do.’
She looked up at him, confusion written in her pale features. ‘How is that possible?’ she whispered, not daring to believe what she was seeing in his face.
‘Marry me, Neve. Marry me because I love you.’
She looked at him through the tears that trembled on her eyelashes and shook her head, not daring to believe what he was saying.
‘Is it possible?’ she asked wistfully.
‘It is impossible for me not to love you!’ he declared. ‘I prided myself on the fact I did not need any woman, and I was right. I do not need any woman, I need you, Neve and not just in my bed, though the sex with you is nothing short of miraculous. I need your face to be the last thing I see before I fall asleep. I need your face to be the first thing I see when I wake up. I need to hear your voice, your laugh. I need you in my life so I am asking you again. Marry me, Neve.’
‘You always know what I am thinking so you already know that this time, Severo, the answer is yes.’
He pulled her into a crushing embrace. When they broke apart some time later he pushed her a little away from him and looked at her, his expression sombre.
‘I think we should start as we mean to go on with no lies between us. With that in mind I feel I should confess.’
What was he going to say? A hundred possibilities ran through her head. She took a deep breath and, steeling herself for the blow to come, squared her shoulders.
‘Tell me. It doesn’t matter what it is, it won’t come between us.’
‘I’m very glad to hear you say that,’ he admitted solemnly. ‘The rumours in the paper.’
She gave a relieved sigh. ‘Oh, it’s just money. I thought it was serious.’
He grinned and said, ‘Dio, but I love you. No, I have to confess, cara mia, that the reports of my financial ruin have been slightly exaggerated.’
‘Seriously—you’re not broke?’
‘Not even slightly,’ he confessed with a grin.
‘Then you don’t need my money?’
He held open his arms and she stepped in, smiling as they closed tight around her, and Neve felt she had finally found her real home.
‘The only thing I have ever needed is you.’
‘I suppose you already know I feel the same way?’
‘I have an inkling, but I think I’d feel happier if you showed me.’
Neve had no problem with this plan, none at all.
All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.
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First published in Great Britain 2010
Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited,
Eton House, 18–24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
© Kim Lawrence 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4089-1949-1