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“I am very sexually attracted to you, Gianna. I have been from the instant we met. However, I’m not telling you this so you’ll sleep with me a few times.

There’s more to you than the physical that has caught my attention.

Your mind, witty mouth, protectiveness, and, as much as it pains me, your willingness to fight for others no matter the danger, all are an irresistible draw.

I want to know you, Gianna—the real you.

I’m not looking for a fuck buddy or temporary liaison.

I want more.” I knew being blunt with her was the way to go.

Her eyes widened as I spoke. When I was done, she sat there stunned. I waited in agony to hear her response. Was she trying to formulate a reply that would let me down easily? It was more than a minute before she answered.

“Rian, this, I mean, you haven’t thought this out, especially if you want more than a few nights with me. You need to consider everything.”

“What haven’t I considered?”

“For one, you and I have very different lives. You surely want someone to be your girlfriend who is equal to you. One who grew up in the kind of life you live. You live on a massive estate. I saw your parents’ home.

You come from vast wealth. And you’re always newsworthy.

For God’s sake, I’m an ordinary woman who works as a bounty hunter.

Could you imagine the outcry if you and I dated?

Your friends and even family would revolt. ”

“First, I don’t give a damn what the public thinks of us.

Your background doesn’t bother me in the least. In case you didn’t pay attention, my cousins have married women who aren’t from our background, as you call it, and who worked what you call ordinary jobs.

It didn’t mean shit to them, our family, or our true friends.

I know the attention would be something you’d have to get used to.

Ashlynn, Miranda, Karizma, and Kynedi have dealt with the same thing and can help with that.

Alistair doesn’t care about it. As for being my girlfriend, that’s not exactly what I mean by wanting more. ”

“Then what do you mean? I don’t understand,” she said, frowning.

“I mean, when someone in my family asks for more, we want that person as our anamchara , our soulmate. The person we want to spend the rest of our lives with and, if they’re willing, to have a family with.

It goes much deeper than just being my girlfriend, though we can start there and progress.

I know we still have much to learn about each other. ”

When I finished, her mouth dropped open. “Rian, have you been drinking?”

“Goddamn it, Gianna, what is so hard for you to understand? If you don’t find me attractive, just say so. My male ego can take it,” I snapped.

“Don’t snap at me. And, of course, I find you attractive. I’d have to be dead not to. I admitted it already. I just can’t believe you’re serious. Why me?”

Deciding I needed to show her and hopefully not be hit, I grasped her upper arms and pulled her closer, lowered my head, and latched onto her mouth.

I placed a few gentle pecks on it. I was overjoyed when her lips moved, and she opened her mouth.

I eased my tongue inside to explore and play with hers.

A small whimper escaped her. Then, as our tongues twined together, I felt her hands slip up to touch the back of my head.

I’d been dying to touch her glorious hair.

A cloud of wavy, dark hair called out to be caressed and ran through my fingers.

It was thick and soft. I gently gripped it and guided her mouth to slant more.

We both kissed and nipped. I hated to see it end, but it did.

We were both flushed and breathing a tad harder.

My cock was hard and pressing at the crotch of my pants.

I couldn’t hide it, but I didn’t want to.

“Why you? Because you haunt my waking and sleeping moments. I think of you constantly. I’ve never had someone do that to me.

And while I want you desperately, it’s more than that.

In my soul, I believe we’re meant to be together, to be soulmates, Gianna.

Shit, say something. Is it more than physical attraction for you?

If not, then as much as I want you, we can’t go further, no matter how much I want it. ”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When they opened, they blazed with what I prayed was her consent. If it wasn’t, I had no clue what I’d do. Getting drunk until I couldn’t think would be a start.

“Rian, God, why are you tempting me? I have thought about you over and over since we met, and you’ve interrupted my sleep so many times.

I didn’t attend the meeting last weekend because I had to stay away from you.

I know if I don’t, I’ll break. It’s also more than physical for me, but I can’t see how it’ll work.

There are obstacles, and your lifestyle is only one of them.

What if you find that you don’t want me after a while?

Or that our social differences matter to you, even if they didn’t to your other family members.

And speaking of your family, what if they don’t like me with you?

Or your friends? And then there is my family.

I don’t know how they’ll react to us together.

We have a professional connection. We don’t mix business with pleasure,” she rambled.

“Those are all things we can face together. Some I don’t see as happening.

Your concerns about me not wanting you, my social status, or my family and friends objecting aren’t an issue.

They won’t. As for your family, let me deal with them.

It might take some time to see how we are together to quiet those concerns, but we won’t let it negatively affect the partnership.

Whatever the obstacle, I believe we can overcome it if we do it together.

Please, for the love of God, say yes. Put me out of my misery. I can’t keep on this way.”

She studied my face, and I gripped her hands, my heart pounding. Suddenly, she smiled.

“I must be insane to say this, but my answer is yes. If you want more than sex, a good time, then yes, I’ll go for it with you.”

I let out a loud whoop and then kissed her again.

That one lasted even longer than the last one.

I knew nothing more could happen tonight between us, but I would get kisses.

Then we’d return to the others. I’d wait to tell them.

We’d have to arrange to tell both families together. I wanted it done this weekend.