She was grateful, in fact. It reminded her why she had to stay strong and resist his marriage proposal.
Because she was tempted. After they reached the end of the boat ride, as he held out his hand to help Hana out, she couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like if every day could be like this. Having a home together. Working together. Raising a child together. Being happy.
But this feeling couldn’t last. Even if Antonio could be faithful to her as he vowed, he was a workaholic who loved only his company. He’d never make room in his life to be a full-time husband and father. That wouldn’t change. Ever.
Although, she suddenly realized, he’d just given up a critical business deal, just to spend the day with her and see the sights of Tokyo...
“What about shopping?” Antonio asked, his dark eyes crinkling in a smile. “I heard Tokyo has some of the best luxury shops in the world.”
She paused. “Yes, it does. Why? Do you need something?”
“Yes,” he said firmly. “I do.”
Hours later, they came out of yet another lavish Ginza boutique, a toy store so enormous it was five stories high. Going out onto the main shopping avenue of Chuo-Dori, Hana was still shaking her head.
“The baby won’t be born until October,” she chided. “And this is too much! Don’t you think you should wait?”
“Wait for what?”
“You haven’t even seen a scan yet. I’m only ten weeks pregnant.”
He stopped. “Did the doctor you saw hint there might be a problem?”
“No, she said everything looked perfect. But it just seems—”
“What?”
“Like tempting fate!”
Looking down at her, he said gruffly, “I make my own fate.”
That was certainly true. Hana shook her head with a laugh. “Toys, baby clothes. The most expensive baby stroller I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen cars that cost less! It’s just a good thing the shops deliver, or you’d have needed to hire a van and staff to carry it all.”
“I wanted to buy more.” Standing beside her on the busy sidewalk, he looked down at her seriously. “I wanted to buy things for you. Why won’t you let me?”
Hana looked away, feeling her cheeks burn. “I’m not your responsibility.”
“I’d like you to be.” The intensity of his dark gaze burned through her. She couldn’t bear it. Tugging on his hand, she started walking. They passed other lavish luxury department stores and boutiques. Glancing down the street at the enormous, exclusive Bulgari flagship on the corner, he stopped her. “I want to buy you a ring, any ring you like, the biggest damn diamond in the entire store.”
“I don’t need a big diamond,” she objected. All around them, Tokyo’s traffic whirled past, making her dizzy.
“I’d give anything,” Antonio said gruffly, “to get down on one knee and propose marriage in any way that would make you say yes. With a twenty-carat diamond ring, a sapphire, an emerald—even a damn ring from a gumball machine.” He looked at her. “What would it take, Hana? Tell me. Whatever it is, I can do it. Just tell me.”
Her heart was in her throat. Her eyelashes fluttered, brushing her cheek as she looked down at her own hands. She couldn’t look him in the eye. He couldn’t know how close she was to falling. If he had any idea of how tempted she was to surrender—
“Mr. Delacruz!” a voice called loudly. “Señor!”
Turning, she saw Ramon Garcia’s hulking form waving at them through the crowded sidewalks. “There you are,” the man panted. “We’ve been looking for you. All over. The lawyers are frantic.”
“What do you want?” Antonio demanded, clearly annoyed.
“It’s—the Iyokan deal.” The muscular bodyguard leaned over, gasping to catch his breath. She wondered how long he’d been running. “Another company made—an offer. Iyokan says if they don’t get a—sweetened deal—by the end of the day, they’re going to walk. Please.” He waved desperately toward the street. “The car is around the corner. Come now.”
“I turned off my phone for a reason,” Antonio said coldly. “Tell the lawyers I’m busy.” And he turned back to Hana. “What’s next?”
She stared at him, thinking of the hundreds of hours she’d spent over the last few months, helping him assess and prepare the legal and financial documentation for the negotiations. This deal was CrossWorld Airways’s entrée into the Asian market, the key to make his company a truly global power.
“Are you crazy?” she demanded. “Go! Go now!”