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"I think I am the one who should be saying those words to you," he says softly. "You're the love of my life, Elisabetta, and I thank God every day for allowing you into mine because I don't know what I would do without you."

Chapter Thirty-Two

Liam

"Liam, you shouldn't be in here," Elisabetta whispers as I sneak into her room. "My dad…”

“He's not going to know," I say as I close the door gently behind me and lock it. I walk over to the bed and sit on the side. She sits up and leans back against the headboard, her long hair in a bun on top of her head. I lean over and pull out the hair tie and watch as it falls down her back.

“You should be in your own bedroom, Liam.”

“But I just got engaged to the most beautiful woman in the world,” I say, grinning at her. "How can I resist you?"

“Well, if you want to stay engaged to me, and you don't want my father to cut off your hands…”

“Oh, boy, would he really do such a thing?” I say as I slide up the bed and lie down. I turn on my side and look over at her. I mean, he couldn't possibly fault me, could he? Knowing that my feelings for her are complicated. Elisabetta lies on her side to face me, and I can’t believe that we're now betrothed, I run myfingers down her silky shoulder and then bring my hand up to cut the side of her face.

“I just want you to know that whatever happens, I will not be broke.”

“What?” she says, gazing at me, her eyes widening.

“I know you might be nervous because I've lost a lot of money…”

“But I don't care about that. I never did.”

“I mean, I think you did care about money because you agreed to marry me, because your father?—.”

“Not for me though, for the rest of my family. You don't really think I care that much about money, do you?”

“No,” I admit. I lean forward and kiss her on the lips. “I don't think you care that much about money.”

“Stop stressing,” she says, rubbing my arms. “Can I take your T-shirt off?” she asks as she leans forward.

“Of course.” I lift my arms, and she pulls the shirt off of me and throws it to the ground. She leans forward and kisses my neck and then my chest. Her tongue trails down to my nipple, and she lightly flicks it. I grab her and pull her closer to me. I push the blanket down and run my fingers down the side of her waist.

“I love sleeping with you,” I say, staring into her eyes. “It’s so intimate, yet it makes me feel so many other things.”

“What do you mean?” she asks as she kisses my stomach.

“I mean that even though just sleeping with someone is not as intimate as sex, it feels even more so, you know?”

“In what way?” she asks, kissing back up my chest and just looking at me.

I grab her hands and touch each one of her fingers lightly. “I guess there's a trust that you have in someone when you sleep with them, because when you're off in dream world, you'retrusting your very being to them, and there's no one I trust more than you.”

She grins at me. “I mean, aside from maybe Skye and Lila and Juniper, but aside from them.”

“Aside from them, of course,” I say, chuckling. “Thank you for trusting me.”

“I trust you because I believe that you are honest and compassionate, a kind man, and the best lover I've ever had in my life.” She giggles.

“That's what I like to hear.” I stare at her and keep the smile plastered on my face, but my brain is screaming at me because I'm not being completely honest about everything, and I'm conflicted. Really, really conflicted.

“I want to make love to you,” I say as I pull off her top. I'm delighted that she has no bra on. My right hand grazes the side of her breast and slips down between her legs and under her panties. She murmurs out loud as I touch her wetness. I grin, then pull her panties and shorts down and flip her over onto her stomach.

“What are you doing?” she says.

“You'll see.” I pull my own boxers down and lie on top of her.