The Marriage Clause

by Alexx Andria

  Togo, finished, glanced up at Luca, very proud of himself.

  “I feel ya, buddy. That’s how I feel after a good poop, too,” he said, causing me to laugh harder. Luca flashed me a quick grin before scooping up the pile and throwing the bag in the nearest trash can. “That might be why I never felt the need to get a dog,” he admitted as I wiped my eyes, still giggling.

  I looked to Cora, wondering if she was going to follow suit, but she seemed ready to resume our walk without relieving herself.

  We walked a few more blocks, admiring the architecture, sharing likes and dislikes, until we returned to the shelter, where Emmett had a few new jobs for us.

  “Oh, goody, more poop,” Luca remarked wryly as we started cleaning out kennels while Emmett took the rest of the dogs to the small yard to stretch their legs a bit. Luca paused to rest on his shovel. “If I did have a dog, I would feel zero guilt hiring someone to handle the dirty work.”

  “I would be okay with that,” I admitted, wrinkling my nose at the odors in the room. “This is a little more than I bargained for.”

  “Big dogs, big poops.”

  I laughed again. “Yes, that seems to make sense.”

  We finished up in the kennels, and Emmett funneled the dogs back into their cages. It broke my heart to see such beautiful dogs stuck in cramped little cells. “It’s like prison for dogs,” I said with a sad face.

  “That’s exactly how I see it, too,” Emmett agreed, but there wasn’t much he could do to change the situation. He was doing the best that he could with what he had. “But our goal here is to find forever homes for these pups, so this is a temporary pit stop to wherever they’re going to end up. We never put a dog down, but we are limited in our space, so we can only take the dogs that are easy enough to rehome.”

  “Careful, Emmett, you’ll have my softhearted fiancée offering to build you a new structure to house all the poor, abandoned and neglected dogs in San Francisco.”

  Emmett laughed, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he was standing next to one of the wealthiest men in the world. What good was all that wealth if you couldn’t put it to good use? “If you were to build a new compound, where would you build it?” I asked, curious.

  Luca just shook his head, knowing the direction my thoughts were traveling.

  “Ah, hell, I don’t know. Hard to say with real estate prices the way they are here in the city. I haven’t even looked. Don’t want to put my energy toward something that will never happen. But before I start sounding like a downer, we do all right here. We have some pretty generous donors that keep Nor-Cal Rescue alive, so I’m not complaining.”

  I seriously loved this man. So kindhearted and humbled by every blessing. I looked to Luca, practically begging him with my eyes to make this man’s dream come true.

  “Can I get a business card?” Luca asked with a small sigh, and my smile widened.

  Emmett fished around in a pocket and found the saddest, most crumpled-up excuse for a card and handed it to Luca with a chagrined expression. “No one ever asks for business cards. I just keep that one in my pocket so I don’t forget our 501(c)3 identification. Sometimes our donors want that info right away.”

  Luca hesitated. “If you need to hold on to it...”

  “No, you keep it. I needed to get a fresh one out of my office at some point anyway. Besides, in light of that sweet donation and your time, I think I can let loose of one card.”

  I shared a secret smile with Luca as he pocketed the card and looked to me. “Are you ready to go, sweetheart?”

  I took one last lingering look at Cora and Togo, hoping with all my heart they found loving homes soon, and nodded. I didn’t even mind Luca using the endearment; my heart was filled with sap and goo.

  We walked to the awaiting Uber and climbed in.

  Sweaty, smelly and starving—but I couldn’t imagine a better day.

  Maybe I’d been wrong to assume things about Luca.

  He’d spent this entire time with me, without complaint, just to show me that he was different.

  That I was worth the trouble he was willing to face by refusing to leave me behind.

  A suspicious tingling tickled my nose. Luca misinterpreted my emotion as sadness for the dogs, pulling me close to say, “Don’t worry, those dogs will find excellent homes. I’ll see to it, I promise.”

  I barked a watery chuckle and buried my face against his chest. I wished concern for the dogs was the reason for my sudden urge to bawl. Stop being so damn amazing, I wanted to shout, but I didn’t. Instead, I just let him believe that was the reason and simply nodded.

  “Thanks for being so generous with your donation,” I said, finding my voice again.

  I heard Luca’s smile as he said, “What can I say? I’m a sucker for a pretty redhead with a soft heart.”

  I laughed and rested my head against his shoulder.

  Yeah, and I was a sucker for the sexy Italian who’d stolen my heart when was I just seventeen.

  But I wasn’t going to admit it...at least not yet.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Luca

  WE RETURNED TO the hotel, showered and ordered room service.

  I was surprised Katherine hadn’t dragged us to some farm-to-table restaurant where we had to slaughter our own chicken or something, but she seemed content to ease up on her attempts at pushing me away.

  I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth, but I could fairly feel the weight of her thoughts.

  I tilted her chin to brush a soft kiss across her lips.

  She gazed up at me, a wealth of unsaid words shining in her eyes. How could I get her to see that I wanted nothing more than to make a life with her?

  “What did your dad say to upset you?” she asked.

  I knew she’d heard more than she let on. I didn’t really want to have this conversation, but I supposed there was no point in running from it if I wanted to start fresh with Katherine.

  “He was going to call your father to pressure you into marrying me.”

  “That wouldn’t have worked,” she said, scooting up to face me, a stormy frown marring her expression. “I’m not afraid of my father. When I left, I’d already factored in the reality that he would cut me off. As long as I was free from living under anyone’s thumb, I was willing to take the risk.”

  “I don’t care if it would’ve worked or not—I don’t want you to marry me like that. When you say I do, I want you to say it because you want to.”

  Katherine softened a little, almost against her better judgment. She was fighting a battle within herself, but I had no idea if I would end up on the victor’s side.

  “I meant what I said,” I told her in earnest. “All that matters is you and me. I would do anything to make you happy.”

  “Even if it meant walking away from your family?” Katherine challenged, watching me closely. “C’mon, Luca, you know that’s not even possible. You’re the heir to the Donato empire. Your father would never let you walk, not for any reason.”

  If she were asking for the moon, I’d find a way to give it to her.

  “You mean more to me than anything money can buy. If that means I step down as my father’s heir and walk away from everything I’ve ever known to live in squalor, as long as I have you...I’ll have everything I’ll ever need.”

  Katherine blinked suddenly as a dam broke. She said with a watery chuckle, “You living in squalor? I can’t even picture that. For that matter, how would I fare living that way when I could barely stomach the hostel?”

  “I have my doubts,” I agreed, wiping away her tears gently, “but I’d follow wherever you go.”

  “I’m so confused,” she said, shaking her head. “Everything in me says this will never work, but I have to admit...this week with you has challenged everything I thought I knew about who you are.”

&
nbsp; “Do you love me?” I asked with blunt seriousness. “Do you? It’s very simple.”

  “It’s anything but simple,” she disagreed with a scowl. “Nothing about us is simple.”

  “It is to me.”

  “How is it that you can see so clearly when I feel as if I’m peering through mud?”

  “Because I know what matters.”

  “What about your family?” she asked, unsure, but there was something about her faltering tone that gave me hope.

  “Fuck them.”

  She sucked in a surprised breath. “What about your father?”

  “He’s an old man. It’s time for him to retire and butt the fuck out of my business,” I growled.

  Stunned, Katherine stared. “Really?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “You would do that?”

  “Losing you would be the end of me. What do I need with all that material stuff if I’m broken inside? You are my heart.”

  Suddenly, the mud Katherine had bemoaned cleared, and I knew something had shifted for her. She could finally hear me. I dared to hope. I grasped her hands and kissed both softly. “Marry me...Katherine.”

  I held my breath, knowing this was the moment that would make or break everything. I’d never questioned her love for me. Even though she tried, I’d always known her heart was with me. I’d just needed her to realize it, too.

  Was it finally happening? Was I stupid to hope?

  Just as the moment stretched painfully long and sweat began to dampen my forehead, a tremulous smile formed around the words as she answered with a happy shake of her head. “Y-yes, Luca. Yes, I will marry you.”

  Thank God. “You’ve just made me the happiest man on the planet,” I said without exaggeration before sealing my mouth to hers. As our tongues twined and danced, I drank in the future with her by my side. I would always support her dreams and goals. If she wanted to go back to school to be a veterinarian, I would be her biggest champion. Whatever she wanted, I would make happen.

  A weight of epic proportion fell from my shoulders as she flung her arms around me, hugging me tightly. I could melt into her, losing myself in the sweetness of what I’d cherish for the rest of our lives.

  “Luca,” she gasped, closing her eyes as I pulled her panties free to sink between her thighs, ready to seal our union with my tongue and breath, but she stopped me, her hand gripping my hair, her expression serious. “Don’t ever make me regret this decision,” she warned, and I knew exactly what she was saying.

  “The next starlet who wants to sit on my lap can sit on the floor,” I promised with a crooked grin, and she released my hair.

  “Good boy,” she said, gesturing with a wide smile. “Continue with what you were about to do.”

  I laughed and then set about turning her inside out in ways only I could. Until the day I died, the sound of her gasping in pleasure would forever be the greatest gift she could ever give me.

  I was the luckiest man alive to have Katherine Oliver by my side.

  And I would never forget it.

  EPILOGUE

  “YOU SURE YOU’RE ready to do this?” Nico asked, adjusting my tie, looking to me for confirmation that I wasn’t going to ditch my bride and run on cold feet from the Gothic Catholic church. The bells rang out through the city, announcing a Donato was tying the knot.

  I smiled at my little brother without a hint of jitters or nerves. For the first time ever, I felt 100 percent sure that what was happening was right.

  “Nic, she’s everything I ever wanted before I knew what I wanted.”

  Nico grinned ruefully, saying with a lifted brow, “I have no idea what that means, but if that dopey smile on your face is any indication that you’re ready...I guess you are. You look drunk, by the way—and by God, if you say drunk on love, I’ll fucking vomit.”

  “I hope you get to experience what I’m feeling right now someday.”

  “No, thanks,” Nico said with good humor. “I’m not the marrying kind. No offense to your girl, but I need more variety than one woman for the rest of my life.”

  “When you find the right woman, a lifetime spent with her will never be enough.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.”

  Dante appeared, his hard expression barely softening as he said, “It’s time.” I’d hoped that Dante would loosen up after our father retired, but if anything he was more wound up than ever, and we’d gone head-to-head more than once at the office.

  But today was about my bride, and Dante, at the very least, respected that boundary, even if he looked like he’d sucked a lemon before donning his tuxedo.

  I laughed and clapped Nico on the shoulder. “Let’s go make an honest man out of me.”

  “That would take an act of God, and I really don’t think anyone checked that off on the gift registry. But, hey, we can at least manage hitching you to one fine woman. How’s that?”

  “Sounds good to me.” I tugged at my jacket sleeves, ensuring everything was perfect, and exhaled slowly. “Let’s do this.”

  I walked with my brothers, ready to marry the woman of my dreams, and I was struck by an incredible sense of gratitude. I could’ve lost her. Someone must’ve been on my side, because there was a moment when the scales could’ve tipped the other way. I shuddered to think of how things could’ve gone wrong.

  Everything had worked out—that was all that mattered.

  We took our places at the front of the church, Father Gabriel smiling. Familiar faces stared back at me, some smiling, some not. A Donato wedding was a spectacle for East Coast society. Everyone sitting in a pew was among a select few, and some wore their smug satisfaction as surely as their girdles holding every bit of flesh in their designer clothes.

  The popular bridal song “Canon in D” by Pachelbel began and everyone turned as Katherine, my incredible lady, appeared, a vision in cloud white, a gown fit for a queen.

  The crowd murmured at her beauty, stunned by the upswept red hair, blazing tendrils caressing her porcelain face, a dainty tiara perched on top.

  My heart swelled with so much love, tears sprang to my eyes.

  But fuck it, I didn’t care who saw me cry.

  My eyes were locked on her.

  Life was too good to be true.

  My father had retired, and with him went his old-school ways. I was in the process of rooting out the lingering aftertaste of his archaic policies, and I’d burned any evidence of my soon-to-be-wife’s contract.

  Katherine was my equal—my partner—she chose me as much as I chose her.

  And she was pregnant.

  We weren’t telling anyone just yet. The baby was our little secret.

  She fucking glowed.

  I couldn’t wait to carry her over the threshold of our new place—a modest house we’d picked out together—that was a far enough drive from the Donato estate to create a buffer, but not so far that my mother would squawk about not being able to see her new grandchild.

  A tiny shiver skipped down my back, and Nico caught the subtle movement. “You okay?” he murmured, shooting me a worried look. “You got this?”

  I responded with a slow, sure smile. Oh, yes, I had this—and I was never letting go.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from HER DIRTY LITTLE SECRET by JC Harroway.

  Get rewarded every time you buy a Harlequin ebook!

  Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards

  http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin DARE story.

  Harlequin DARE pushes the boundaries of sexual explicitness while keeping the focus on the developing romantic relationship. Calling all fun and fearless heroines! Come meet the alpha heroes of your wildest dreams.

  Sexy. Passionate. Bold.

  Connec
t with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!

  Other ways to keep in touch:

  Harlequin.com/newsletters

  Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks

  Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks

  ALSO AVAILABLE FROM

  Burn Me Once

  by Clare Connelly

  All Ally knows about Ethan is that he’s a world-famous rock star and gorgeous—their sexual chemistry is instant. Only now Ethan is breaking the rules... Will Ally be able to stop herself from getting burned?

  Boardroom Sins

  Sin City Brotherhood

  by Margot J. Critch

  Brett initiates a hostile takeover of Rebecca’s company... Just after they share a seriously naughty encounter! Now the battlefield is both the boardroom and the bedroom. But sometimes the line between love and hate is thinner than you think...

  Pleasure Games

  by Daire St. Denis

  Jasmine is on her Parisian honeymoon alone and determined to have an adventure. When she meets gorgeous stranger Luca, he shows her desires she never thought to experience—until their sexy dalliance becomes more than just a game...

  Legal Attraction

  Legal Lovers

  by Lisa Childs

  Muriel should hate divorce lawyer Ronan after he won her ex a high settlement. But she can’t keep her hands off him! If they don’t destroy each other in court, they might just destroy each other in the bedroom...

  You can find more information on upcoming Harlequin titles, free excerpt and more at Harlequin.com.

  Join Harlequin My Rewards and reward the book lover in you!

  Earn points for every Harlequin print and ebook you buy, wherever and whenever you shop.

  Turn your points into FREE BOOKS of your choice

  OR

  EXCLUSIVE GIFTS from your favorite authors or series.