Page 151 of Pietro

"No." Her thumb brushes my cheekbone. "Marriage is a choice. A commitment. Not just possession."

"I know the difference."

"Do you?" She's teasing now, I can hear it in her voice. "Because you have a habit of claiming things without asking first."

"I asked you to stay."

She leans closer. "You're scared, Pietro."

"I'm not scared."

"You are." Her eyes dance. "You're more scared than I am."

"Cazzo,Nora?—"

"Admit it." She's grinning now. "The big bad Don is terrified of the idea of marriage."

"I'm not terrified."

"Then why are you in here apologizing for your mother bringing it up?"

"Because I didn't want you to feel pressured."

"Or because you felt pressured?"

I stare at her. She stares back, completely unrepentant.

Then I laugh. I can't help it. "You're enjoying this."

"Maybe a little." She shifts closer, her knee pressing against my thigh. "It's nice to see you flustered for once."

"I'm not flustered."

"You're definitely flustered." Her hand slides down to my chest. "Your heart is racing."

"That's not from being flustered."

"No?" Her voice drops. "What's it from then?"

I catch her waist and pull her onto my lap. She comes willingly, straddling me with that satisfied smile still on her face.

"You," I say against her mouth. "It's always from you."

She kisses me, soft and slow. When she pulls back, her expression has shifted. Still playful, but something deeper underneath.

"I'm not scared of marriage, Pietro. Not with you." Her fingers thread through my hair. "But I'm also not in a rush. We have time."

I study her face. The freckles across her nose. The green eyes that see right through me. The mouth that challenges me at every turn.

"You're sure you're not scared?"

"Positive." She grins again. "But you definitely are."

"I'm not?—"

She kisses me before I can finish the protest.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE