by Kit Tunstall
Her eyes widened. “You’re joking.”
Luca lifted her left hand, pressing a tender kiss to the palm. “No, mia cara. My love. At some point in the past few months, I’ve fallen in love with you. The epiphany that I didn’t care why you’d done the things you had done, and that I never wanted to let you go, sent me to the jewelry store. I planned to make you my wife, and I wasn’t going to take no for an answer.” He kissed her hand again. “I’m not going to accept a refusal. You will become my wife.”
He had planned to marry her before he knew her reasons for taking the money or the truth about her so-called sordid affair with Danny Seaton. Luca had loved her when he had every reason to hate her. Overwhelmed, she said, “Why should I?”
“Because I own you.” He put a finger to her lips when she opened her mouth in outrage. “Just as you own me. We belong with each other. We will marry, have many babies, and be the envy of everyone because we are so happy together.”
The reality was sinking in. She regarded the diamond, surrounded by rubies, deciding she could accept everything it stood for, and gladly. Happiness made her giddy. “You sure are bossy, Luca,” she teased. With a smile, she added, “I guess I’ll have to marry you. You’ve left me no choice.”
“Not in that, mia cara.” He leaned forward to kiss her, and she met him halfway. “You may do as you wish in any other matter, so long as you don’t leave me.”
“Never,” she said in a choked voice. Why would she leave the man she loved, who loved her in return? It amazed her that something so beautiful could come from the ugly beginning of their affair. She was going to marry him. It was more than she’d ever dreamed could happen. Her gaze fixed on the ring again, and she sighed with pleasure. “This is so beautiful.” Phoebe tilted her head. “This ring seems so familiar.”
He nodded. “It is from the same designer who made the necklace I gave you the night we went to my father’s home.”
Phoebe’s eyes widened. “You picked it out? You said a salesgirl had included it,” she said accusingly.
Luca grimaced. “After your cool reception of the dress I’d chosen, I assumed it would be safer for you not to know I had gotten the necklace.”
She blushed. “It never occurred to me that you personally selected the dress. I thought you’d given it to me to wear in order to irritate Salvatore that you’d brought someone of my ilk into his social circle.” With a smile, she added, “I loved that dress.”
He leered. “So did I, especially when it was on the floor.”
“You know, the dress made sense, but buying a necklace for me really wasn’t the act of an angry boss demanding I repay him with my virtue.” She grinned when his cheeks darkened. “Are you embarrassed?”
“No,” he said a gruff voice. “I will admit the action wasn’t logical, but I saw the necklace and thought of you, remembering that red robe you were wearing the first night we made love. I wasn’t your boss when I bought that. I wasn’t even an angry man who’d been cheated. I was a lovesick fool, unable to admit my true feelings, or just why I was so devastated about your actions.”
“What are you now?” she asked in a whisper.
“The happiest I’ve ever been.” He took her mouth in a deep kiss. There was a twinkle in his eyes when he lifted his head. “However, I am also still your boss.”
Impulsively, Phoebe pushed him backward, sliding off the chair to sit across his thighs. “I think it’s my turn to be the boss.”
Luca’s wicked grin showed his interest in the idea. “Whatever you say, Phoebe.”
About the Author
Kit Tunstall lives in Idaho with her husband, son and dog-children. She started reading at the age of three and hasn’t stopped since. Love of the written word, and a smart marriage to a supportive man, led her to a full-time career in writing. Romances have always intrigued her, and erotic romance is a natural extension because it more completely explores the emotions between the hero and heroine. That, and it sure is fun to write.
Kit welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Kit Tunstall
A Christmas Phantasie
Ablaze
Beloved Forever
Blood Lines 1: Blood Oath
Blood Lines 2: Blood Challenge
Blood Lines 3: Blood Bond
Blood Lines 4: Blood Price
Eye of Destiny
Heart of Midnight
Pawn
Phantasie
Playing His Game
Semipro
Sundown Pack 1: Only Love
Sundown Pack 2:Fortune’s Fool
Sundown Pack 3: Asking For Trouble
Tiger Eye
Wrong Groom
Print books by Kit Tunstall
Asking for It anthology
Beloved Forever
Blood Lines
Blood Lines: Blood Oath
Blood Lines: Blood Price
Eye of Destiny
Lions and Tigers and Bears anthology
Naughty Nuptials anthology
Sundown Wolves
The Twelve Quickies of Christmas, Volume 2 anthology
Timeless anthology
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
www.ellorascave.com