I was younger, I truly believed that my father was a prominent businessman. He came and went from work every day, bringing home flowers for my mother and toys for his sons. He provided for us without question and I always felt his love. When I learned the truth, I was devastated. I hated him. Loathed him. I also couldn’t stand being a part of the family. I did everything I could to distance myself, but in the end, I realized how valuable family was. He never stopped loving me, although I made certain he knew every day how much I detested him.”
His words were frank, said with more emotion than I’d ever heard. I inched closer, my heart racing.
“He even allowed me my freedom to choose what I wanted out of life. I honestly hadn’t thought about that until you reminded me that we all have choices. You were right and I’m not sorry for making the ones that I did, which is why I want you to have a choice whether you want to stay or go.”
I wanted to scream out that I didn’t want to leave, but another round of fear was paralyzing. I stood silently, tears streaming down my face.
He turned to face me, closing his eyes as he took a deep breath. “I am not an easy man to love nor am I am a good man. I’ve done some terrible things in my life and more will occur. While I can shield you from much of what I do and the people I work with, there is always a chance that you will be targeted or that you will see and hear things that are disturbing. I can’t lie about that nor will I apologize. That is my life and one I’ve chosen. But you need to know this, my sweet Savannah. You’ve given me the only true joy I’ve felt in my life for so long. You are the reason I enjoy waking up in the morning. You’ve reminded me how amazing it is to feel the sun on my face and hear the roar of the waves. Every glass of wine is sweeter, every food richer, every scent more incredible. You did that. You are responsible for showing me what life and love is all about.”
I was shaking, unable to stop the flow of tears. “Rafael.”
When he opened his eyes, there were tears in them, but there was also hope.
And love.
“I love you, Savannah, and I want you to stay, to be my wife. I want you to stand by my side through thick and thin, death and birth, including our children. I want to honor you, shower you with everything your heart desires. Without you, my life means nothing.”
Choices.
He’d given me the greatest gift of all—the ability to make my own decision. There were no perfect people or lives. There were no easy roads and money and power certainly couldn’t buy happiness. In this case, there were no rose-colored glasses that could be worn to hide what I could face or the horrors that might happen.
But I realized at that very moment that none of it mattered. I didn’t care about perfect. I wasn’t afraid of the future.
I was simply a girl in love with a boy.
And I wanted more.
I wanted to become his wife.
“I love you. I need you. You are my everything.”
The look on his face was one of surprise melding into the dark volume of passion that electrified every part of me.
He cupped both sides of my face, pulling me onto my toes, his breathing scattered. “Are you certain?”
“Absolutely. There is nothing I want more.”
An array of emotions crossed his face, as if he was reliving his life, slowly allowing the armor to fall. When he crushed his mouth over mine, it was as if nothing could ever stand in our way. We were much stronger together, our hearts beating as one.
He growled as he pulled me closer, his fingers digging into my skin. As he thrust his tongue inside, the passion erupted, a fire that would never end.
Every part of me tingled as I pressed my palms against his chest, his heartbeat thudding against my fingertips.
The kiss became manic, his entire body shaking as he slid one hand down my back, cupping my buttocks. I wanted him inside of me. I couldn’t wait any longer. I moved my hands to his jeans, fighting until I was able to free his cock, refusing to take no for an