Exactly Cat’s fears too. To realize that Rafe wanted to be with her just as much as she wanted to be with him—albeit for different reasons then—but that they were on the same page now? It was a tremendous relief.
“I called her,” Rafe continued, pushing away his empty plate. The man had an appetite like no other. “And she said she’d love to meet us for a late lunch. Around two, she suggested. Does that work for you?”
Like she’d protest. “That would be fine.” She stared at her barely touched plate, wondering how she’d ever work up an appetite to eat lunch while under the scrutiny of an overprotective sister. She knew her own sister would be an absolute nightmare to deal with in a similar situation. She’d never want to subject Rafe to a meal with Annalisa, let alone a ten-minute brief meeting.
Of course, Stasia Westmore wasn’t anything like Annalisa. And Rafe wouldn’t lie to her, would he? If he believed his sister would approve of her, then she most likely would.
“Your worry over meeting Stasia is adorable.” Rafe lifted her hand and brought it to his mouth, dropping a soft kiss on her fingers. “After everything she’s been through, Stasia is the least judgmental person I know. If you make me happy, you’ll make her happy.”
Her heart tightened at his words. “Do I really make you happy, Rafe?”
He smiled, his eyes glowing as he drank her in. “That you have to ask is adorable too. What do you think? After everything we’ve shared over the last few days, do you think I’m happy?”
“It’s been amazing,” she confessed, her voice soft as she disentangled her hand from his. “But it’s been nothing but sex. Extraordinary sex, but still. Anyone would be happy with that, I would think.” Not that she knew. This experience was completely new and foreign.
“That’s not all it’s been between us and you know it.” He sounded irritated, which shocked her. “We’ve talked a lot. I’ve shared with you things I’ve never told anyone before, not even my brothers. And I tell those two bastards pretty much everything.”
A small smile teased the corner of her lips. “You’re right. I’m sorry. But…is that enough? We haven’t really talked about our future or made any plans. What’s next for us? When I return to Italy, are you just dropping me off and returning here? When will we next see each other again?”
“When do you want to see me again?”
“Oh no.” She shook her head, pursing her lips. “I’m not falling for that trap. You need to tell me what you want to do.” She feared if she revealed too much he’d use it against her. Or worse, tell her he wasn’t interested in pursuing their relationship toward marriage, though she knew she was being completely irrational, thinking this way. She’d always feared he’d use her feelings for him against her. Her father did it to her mother all the time.
She didn’t want to give Rafe that type of advantage.
“All right.” He took a deep breath. “First, we’ll take you home, and you can talk with your sister and mother. Perhaps your father too, if he’s decent enough to finally show up and spend a little time with his family.” He snorted, no doubt knowing he spoke of something that had zero chance of happening.
How she loved his irritation over her father’s deplorable behavior. She’d confessed all of Carlo Campioni’s sins, though Rafe knew many of them already. He’d immediately become her champion against her father—against her entire family.
She wondered if he knew how much she appreciated that.
“Then what?” she prodded.
“I’d hope you would let your family know that our arrangement is still moving forward. And that you wouldn’t mind giving your notice to quit working at Campioni.”
Her breath lodged in her throat, she was so overcome with what he said. He was breaking it down, everything she’d ever wanted from him, making it all a reality.
“If you want a large wedding, I would be more than happy to give that to you, Kitty Cat. But know this. I want you to move to New York as soon as possible. I can’t stand the thought of being apart from you for too long. If I had my way, we’d be married at the courthouse downtown tomorrow afternoon.” His cheeks turned ruddy, and she wondered if he was a little embarrassed to admit his eagerness to wed her.
His confession made her heart sing with joy. Unable to restrain herself, she lunged toward him, falling into his lap with a laugh, circling her arms around his neck so she could kiss him thoroughly. “That sounds wonderful,” she whispered against his lips after she broke the kiss.
“What part?” he asked, nipping at her lower lip with his teeth.