He stepped forward, taking her hands in his and kissing her knuckles gently. ‘No, please don’t cry. Anything but that.’ He looked deeply into her eyes. ‘I’m telling you this because I want you to understand why I’m such a cold, unlovable bastard. That monster wanted me to see love as a weakness. So he could break me down and make me easier to control. I have unknowingly let that lesson stick to me like tar for the past twenty years. I let that man’s actions shape me, even from beyond the grave.’
‘You are so brave to have overcome that...’ She shook her head. ‘To have become what you are now...’
‘My success is nothing so long as I am alone,’ he said simply, taking a breath and steeling himself for possible rejection.
She was utterly breathtaking, her long fiery hair backlit by the glow of the lights in the garden. The dress she wore was utter perfection in emerald silk, but truly she could have worn rags and he would have found her breathtaking. She was beautiful, it was true. But knowing her as he did now...knowing what lay below that surface beauty... It was infinitely more spectacular.
‘I came here to tell you that I love you, Olivia,’ he said softly, watching as his words resonated. ‘I didn’t know how much I needed you until I thought of seeing you on another man’s arm. Any other man. Of watching you become his wife and have his children... I cannot bear the thought of you marrying anyone...other than me.’
* * *
Olivia’s heart thumped wildly in her chest as she looked into the solemn, emotion-filled eyes of the man she loved. ‘Is that a proposal?’ she breathed.
‘I hadn’t planned on laying it all out like that so quickly,’ he said uncertainly. ‘I understand if I’ve done too much. If I’ve been too cold for you to ever trust me or feel the same way.’
She shook her head, a small smile forming on her lips. ‘I trusted you from the moment you offered to take me away with you.’
‘Foolish girl.’ He smiled, uncertainty still in his eyes.
‘But love...?’ she said, taking a step closer and running her hand over the lapel of his suit jacket. ‘That didn’t come until I truly knew you. Knew the man you are underneath all the bravado and the ice. Then I fell in love with you so deeply it took my breath away.’
He finally took her into his arms. His mouth was hot and demanding on hers as his hands held her tightly against him. His embrace filled her with warmth and strength. When he finally pulled away she groaned with protest, never wanting the moment to end.
‘Are you sure you want to marry me? Even though I am no longer a princess?’ She let a smile seep into her words as he tipped her back in his arms.
Roman shrugged. ‘I suppose it’s okay to settle for a simple philanthropist as my wife.’ He sighed, sweeping his hands down her sides. ‘If you’re okay with the fact that I don’t run an entire kingdom?’
She pretended to consider her options for a long moment, until his hands began to move lower on her hips and he pulled her hard against him in mock warning, with playfulness and a joy that mirrored her own in his eyes.
‘I love you, Roman Lazarov,’ she said solemnly. ‘And nothing would make me happier than becoming your wife.’
The kiss that sealed their engagement was one filled with passion and promises. Olivia sighed with soul-deep contentment as she looked up into the face of the man she loved. The man she had chosen for herself.
Her own destiny.
* * *
If you enjoyed One Night with the Forbidden Princess you’ll love these other stories by Amanda Cinelli!
Resisting the Sicilian Playboy
The Secret to Marrying Marchesi
Christmas at the Castello
Available now!
Keep reading for an excerpt from The Secret Kept from the Italian by Kate Hewitt.
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