A Deal with Alejandro (Rival Brothers 1)

He followed, because not following would be the same as dying. ‘Elise, please listen to me. I wanted to protect you. From a love that already feels too much.’

Her backward retreat halted, and the blood drained from her face. ‘What?’

‘I love you, dulce mia. So much. Too much. That’s the problem!’

Her brow furrowed. ‘How can love ever be too much?’

‘It can, Elise. I’ve seen it.’ He shook his head, unwilling to risk anything that would make her retreat farther. But how could he not state his deepest fear? ‘It can turn ugly. It would kill me if I did that to you.’

She shook her head. ‘You won’t,’ she said, and her voice held a core of steel that made him want to believe her. Almost.

He dragged a hand down his face, trying desperately to calm the panicked pants heaving from him.

‘Alejandro.’

He stilled. ‘Sí?’

‘The version you’re talking about is nothing more than a twisted obsession. If your parents are okay with that, then all you can do is give them your blessing. But the love I want, the one I want to give you, is about offering you the best of myself, letting you be the best of yourself. Does that include going out of your way to hurt me?’

‘No. Never,’ he breathed.

‘Are you willing to give us a chance?’

His heart tripped, the possibilities making him dizzy. ‘I want nothing more than to treasure you, amante. Every second of every day. I know I handled this all wrong, but if you think we can do this... Dios, I’ll do it. But I admit, I’m terrified. I realised how much I loved you seconds before I saw you. It was no excuse, but from the moment we met I felt as if I stood on a ledge, the sensation of losing my footing a credible threat. But today I realised I’d been looking down, making myself dizzy with distractions when I should’ve been focusing on what was right in front of me. On you, and on the heights we could achieve together... I’m sorry, mi amor. So very sorry.’

Her face crumpled for a fleeting second, and she swallowed. ‘God, Alejandro, you ripped my heart out,’ she cried.

He lunged for her, dropped to his knees and gripped her hips. ‘Forgive me. Please, Dios mio, I’m the world’s biggest fool. I love you. Please give me another chance?’

Her hand slowly reached out. Touched his brow. His hair. When she traced his cheek, he captured it and kissed her palm. ‘I forgive you.’

His groan of relief was hoarse with unshed emotion.

‘And, Alejandro?’

‘Yes?’

‘I love you, too.’

Elise dropped to join him on the floor, her pounding heart now, thankfully, beating from love and bliss, and not the terrifying pain of losing the love of her life. Their kiss held relief, joy, passion, and above all, love. After a lifetime of kissing, he stood and carried her to their bedroom, where he showed her with word and deed how much he loved and cherished her.

As they were drifting into blissful sleep a thought popped into her head.

‘Umm, Alejandro?’

‘Sí, mi amor?’ His voice was a lazy, sexy drawl that heated her blood and flooded her with pleasure in all the right places.

‘I quit as your PR consultant. As of Thursday morning, I hope to have a new and shiny career.’

‘Damn.’ His fingers drifted over her skin, his caresses gentle and loving. ‘Can I tempt you with another offer?’

She raised her head, stared into mossy green eyes burning with pure, everlasting love. ‘That depends. Does it come with perks to die for?’

‘No, it comes with perks to live for. Perks to love and cherish, in sickness and in health, until the heavens grant us eternal life amongst the stars.’

Tears stormed her eyes. For the longest time she couldn’t breathe. Or speak. ‘Alejandro,’ she whispered.

His hands framed her face, and he stared deep into her heart. ‘Marry me, Elise.’