Page 154 of Risks of Temptation

She nods, and her eyes glisten. "Me, too."

We pull up to the house. It isn't super luxurious like Gustave's. I've always kept my wealth hidden, which was a necessity due to my role. It's a modest country home surrounded by vineyards.

Emilia takes everything in. Curiosity and excitement are all over her face. "This is beautiful."

"I'm happy you like it."

She smiles. "I love it."

I dip down. "I love you, ma belle." I kiss her.

"We can live here? When everything is over?" she asks.

"Yes."

"You won't get tired of me?"

"No. I want you to marry me," I blurt out.

Her eyes widen.

"I'm sorry, ma belle. That wasn't the most elegant way to tell you what I want for our future."

She puts her hand on my cheek. "Yes."

"That wasn't a proposal."

Her face scrunches. "Sorry. Did I misunderstand? You weren't asking me to marry you?"

I pull her closer. "That wasn't the right way to ask you. I didn't even pick out your ring yet."

"I don't care about that."

"You deserve the best one money can buy, ma belle."

"I want to be yours forever."

"You are mine forever."

"Ask me," she whispers.

"Right now?"

"Yes."

I drag my finger over her cheekbone. "No. I will properly ask you. You deserve all that goes with the moment."

She tilts her head. "You won't ask me until this is over, will you?"

"That is my plan."

She shakes her head. "We are here, in France. Evil is not surrounding us right now. I don't want to wait until this is over. I want to be your wife now, not later."

My heart beats quicker. "You would regret marrying me now."

"Why?"

"Your sister isn't here."