He knew what he felt. And he was almost sure he knew what she felt.…
"Esmé." He drew a deep breath. "Esmé, I love you."
He thought, at first, she hadn't heard him. She just went on looking at him, staring at him…but then he saw the rush of color into her pale face and he felt his heart swell.
"I love you," he said again. "I adore you, querida, and yes, you are coming home with me, and yes, you are moving in with me." He laughed softly. "I suspect that is the worst marriage proposal in the world, my beloved, but then, I have never asked a woman to marry me before."
Esmé laughed. She cried. She rose on her toes and kissed him. Rio cleared his throat.
"Is that a yes?" he said nervously. "You do love me?"
"Oh, yes. I love you, Rio. I've loved you for so long.… That was why I left you, because I knew you were going to tell me it was over…"
He shook his head. "I lied to myself, sweetheart. My need for you terrified me, so I tried to put you at arm's length, but it was useless." He drew her to him and kissed her, not just with passion but with love. "Marry me," he said, and leaned his forehead against hers. "Marry me, and tell me you want lots of babies.… What?"
"How soon do you want those babies?" she whispered.
His eyes met hers, searched out the meaning of her question.
"I'm pregnant," she said, and he pumped his fist into the air.
"I am going to be a papa!" Rio swept her into his arms. He spun in a circle, and then he stopped and kissed her with all the love in his heart.
"You will be my joy," he said softly, "all the days of my life."
"And you will be my love," Esmé murmured, "forever."
The End
Runaway Mistress Page 5
