Vengeance Aside (Wanted Men 0.5)(47)

“Who put this photo here?”

“I did.”

She straightened to see he hadn’t followed her but had stayed by the mirror. A big plant that was almost as tall as he was framed his back, making it look as if he had wings.

“Did you buy the frame?”

His lip kicked up, and he leaned on the wall. When he crossed his inked arms, the ropey muscles in his forearms stood out. His wrists were thick, his hair only a dusting.

“No. I had our housekeeper pick one up for me. Samuel and I were in Belize in that shot.”

“Do you have tattoos on your torso?”

“Yes.”

“Do they describe your history? Like the movies say Russian mafia tattoos do?”

“Some of them.”

She swallowed, her fingers itching to peel off his clothes so she could see for herself. “Do you have stars on your shoulders?” She remembered Viggo Mortensen having stars done on his shoulders in that one mob movie she’d seen years ago.

“Yes.”

She dropped his eyes and began pacing again. He would be loyal to the death. There was no doubt in her mind. He would love hard, and if he was anything like his parents, he would love forever. He would be a champion for his children. Would take care of them. Be there for them. He would be there for her. That was another thing she somehow knew.

My parents lived a true love story.

In Dale’s life plan, what would be said to describe her?

Oh, our mom won’t tell us who our dads are because she’s afraid we’ll like them and eventually choose them over her.

That was what the future held for her precious babies. Pain and an identity crisis before puberty because of their mother’s insecurities.

She looked over at Lukas who was watching her struggle, and didn’t feel as emotionless as she should have when checking out a possible sperm donor. She felt…too much.

She looked away and didn’t bother questioning why panic didn’t come on the heels of that realization. She wasn’t getting answers anyway.

Was she really going to do this? Commit to him? Right now? Because they were about to have sex. She knew it. And if they did, that would be it.

“Do cuddle bugs annoy you?”

A frown interrupted his silent scrutiny of her. “Cuddle bugs?”

“Yeah. You know, when guys are done, and you roll over like we don’t exist. Well, I think I’d probably feel the need to cuddle into that part of your back that curves in a little. I wouldn’t make a sound as long as you let me touch you. Would that annoy you?”

He sighed, and his eyes closed for a moment. “Why would you not make a sound, yagodka?”

She revealed a little about herself to him with her answer. “I just like to be touching. Human contact. Some of us need it more than others.”

The light that flared in his grey eyes warmed her from across the room. “I would be more than happy to accommodate a cuddle bug at my back, or anywhere, whenever she feels the need to touch me.”

Fuuuck, he was good.

She slowly approached him, her eyes flaring a little when he pushed off the wall to meet her in the middle of the room. But rather than stop in front of him, she circled around. All the way around, looking him up and down. She put her nose close to inhale his scent, and concentrated on the peace that came with it. Didn’t question that anymore either. She just let it happen.

“I’d like to negotiate a few terms before I commit to this arrangement.”

Again, his eyes slid closed, only this time, his mouth moved as if he were saying a silent prayer.

“Go on,” he urged when his lids came up.

She moved around him again because she couldn’t stay still. “If you ever feel life is getting to you, I want your word that you’ll talk to me about it before it gets to the point where you feel you can’t.”

His arm came out to stop her from going by. She paused and looked up at him. “I swear to God you’ll know more of my thoughts than you’ll be able to handle. But not the ones that would be a burden.”

“Burden me,” she insisted, never more serious about anything in her life. “I would rather have that than for you do try to deal with something on your own when we’re supposed to be partners. Which brings me to number two.” She pushed his arm down and did another slow circle around him. His ass was sublime. “You don’t own me. I’ll be your…partner.”

He made a sound as if spitting at the term. “My wife,” he corrected.

She stopped at his back. How could she be his wife when he’d never…

He turned and gracefully lowered himself to one knee in front of her. “Magdalena,” he said without pause. Her eyes bugged when he took her hand in his. “I would be privileged beyond words if you would agree to spend your life with me. Do me the honor of becoming my wife as soon as I can arrange it.” He kissed her empty ring finger. “Please, say you’ll marry me. Right now. Don’t think, just feel what’s happened between us. Don’t be afraid, just feel it.”

Her throat completely closed up.

She was too terrified to feel anything but all the hope and anticipation she was getting from him.

But…

She…

Nodded.

She fucking nodded her head.

His chest expanded on a long breath, and he stood, bringing her with him by wrapping his arms around her waist. “Holy fuck,” he breathed before kissing her hard on her mouth. “Say yes,” he demanded against her lips. “I want the word from you.” He lifted his head and glared at her. “Now, Dale.”