Michael gathers our coats. “We gained’t be far. For those who want something—”

“You’ll be down on the personal seaside, having fun with an evening picnic beneath the celebrities. Sure, I do know. Now go. Please. I’m begging right here.”

Michael leads me to the elevator, and I flip in time to catch Gabriella serving to Liam wave bye simply earlier than the elevator doorways shut. I drop my head and take a deep breath. That is the primary time being away from Liam for the reason that kidnapping, and whereas I do know he’s secure within the penthouse with Gabriella and Enzo, I’m struggling to just accept it.

I really feel Michael’s comforting presence a second earlier than he envelops me in a hug from behind. “He’s going to be completely positive, Rose. I wouldn’t let something occur to him.”

That’s what worries me. I shut my eyes and relaxation my head again on his stable chest. Michael doesn’t know the reality about me and, in flip, Liam. My father is a robust man with fingers in deeper pockets than most soiled politicians. In actual fact, he most likely owns the pockets these politicians play in. It’s a foolish, idealistic dream to think about that Michael can stand in opposition to the chief of the Miami Irish mob, however I’ve all the time needed to stay with my head within the clouds.

After which there’s the very actual risk that the reality might scare Michael off utterly.

“Rose? For those who’re not prepared for tonight, we are able to go proper again up. We don’t have to do that if it’s too quickly.” Michael should sense my unease, but it surely’s not about tonight. It’s about every little thing else.

I flip in his arms and run my fingers up his exhausting abs, over his muscular chest, and throughout his broad shoulders. He tenses beneath my contact, however not from concern or disgust. Pleasure has blown his pupils broad and swallowed the sunshine. I meet his darkish eyes and smile, figuring out I’m enjoying with fireplace but once more and love the joys of burning.

Michael’s lips tease up right into a figuring out smirk. “Cautious, sweetheart.”

“What if I don’t need to be?” I do know I’m pushing his limits, however for the previous few days, I’ve lived in sweats and outsized shirts, feeling each bit as unattractive as I assumed. Despite the fact that it by no means appeared to trouble Michael, it did me. However the best way he is taking a look at me now brings again recollections of the evening we first met, making me really feel like the identical woman yet again.

Michael leans ahead and whispers, “You must know that I don’t put out on the primary date.”

“Oh, good.” I press up on my toes and meet his playful problem. “Then it’s best to know that I don’t put out till the third date.” After which I kiss his cheek and smile like a cat that has simply gotten into the cream.

“We’ll see. You’ll discover that I may be very persuasive.”

“And I may be very cussed.”

Michael nods as if processing that bit of knowledge for later earlier than he instantly grabs my wrist and pulls me straight into his chest. Gripping the nape of my neck with one hand, he brings the opposite to decide on my cheek. His mouth is on mine earlier than I can say a phrase. His tongue dives in and tangles with mine. It’s a sensual dance to which solely we all know the steps. Once I push ahead for extra, he chuckles in opposition to my lips and pulls again, leaving me breathless and extremely annoyed.

“Nonetheless feeling cussed?” He runs a finger down my cheek, tracing the curve of my neck and brushing over my pounding pulse earlier than stopping proper above my neckline.

I swallow, unable to kind a single phrase. The smirk on his face tells me he is aware of my risk holds no weight.

Michael leads us out of the elevator, by a non-public, empty hallway, and out the door on the finish. He takes my hand the second we step outdoors and guides me by a richly lit stone path surrounded by thick shrubbery and flowers. The air is alive with the sounds of bugs and the distant roar of crashing waves. As we get nearer to our vacation spot, the odor of salt water grows stronger, reminding me of higher days when Mother was alive and the afternoons we spent alongside the shore.

We spherical a nook, and the stone path empties onto the white sands of the seaside. The moon is full and excessive within the black evening sky, illuminating the water under like a darkish mirror. Fairy lights twinkle alongside a veranda’s excessive uncovered wooden beams, making a magical ambiance for the house under the place a picnic mat has been stretched out, full with throw pillows and blankets.

Michael helps decrease me to the blanket and sits subsequent to me. He reaches for a wicker basket, pulls out a crimson rose, and fingers it to me. I make a present of smelling the fragile perfume earlier than setting it down beside me with a murmured thanks.

I watch as Michael dishes dinner and fills two glasses with crimson wine. “Rose, we did issues utterly backward. And I don’t find out about you, however I need to give no matter that is between us an opportunity. I’d prefer to see if there’s something extra between us than simply elevating our son collectively. I need us to be a household.”

The reality slips free earlier than rationality can cease my mouth. “I’d like that too.”

“Good. Then I’ve a severe query.”

I eye him warily, undecided if he’s about to tug a hoop out. “Okay.”

“What’s your favourite shade?”

What?

“My favourite shade?” Did I hear him accurately?

“Sure. Mine is crimson if that helps break the ice.”

“I suppose then mine is purple, however not the deep shade, the lighter shade of purple like lilac.”

“Favourite meals?”

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