page25 (1/2)

And the thing was, he couldn‘t blame her

He re a child to carry on the Maresca name and reputation, and knew exactly why he would have answered it so unequivocally He knew only too well how futile it was to place any expectations on your children—how cruel it was to make them carry their parents‘

dreams

She shook her head vehementlyThat‘s not true I didn‘t want to put you in a position you clearly didn‘t want to be in I didn‘t just want Alexander to have a father I wanted him to have a family‘

There was so about the way she said it

Cristiano got to his feet Frowning, he looked out of the

He still can‘

There was a small silence On the street below a siren wailed

How?‘ she asked quietlyWhat are you saying?‘

Cristiano turned back to look at her, keeping his expression neutralThat we can give hi you to marry me‘

Chapter Ten

MARRY M E

On paper, those words co from the beautiful lips of Cristiano Maresca should have made her want to scream with joy and throw herself into his arms

They should have made her yell yes without ato the nearest bridal shop to lose herself in racks of ivory satin and lace

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out

Well?‘

Cristiano‘s voice was cool and al Which said it all, really

Marry you…‘ she echoed hollowly, staring up at him in disbeliefAs in properly…for real?‘

Is there any other way to get married?‘

I don‘t mean that I mean…‘

To have and to hold, fro if it‘ll be some kind of fairytale happy-ever-after, then the answer to that is probably no I‘ about the soft focus bit at the end of a ro Alexander with a stable base, security—two parents living under the saether‘

Security Together Like arrows, those words went straight into the heart of her The man she‘d loved with every beat of her heart for four years was standing in front of her, offering the things she‘d always craved

Or soe he

To have and to hold fro to her feet and tucking her hands down into the pockets of the volus, Cristiano? What about forsaking all others?

Are you going to give up your one-night stands with the paddock club hostesses and the PR girls?‘

That would be up to you It depends what kind of e you want it to be I can‘t live like a monk‘

So sh-sharing a bed would be part of the deal?‘

Only if you wanted it to be‘ In contrast to her, he sounded co so sponsorship

Iwoman isn‘t one of them‘

Kate didn‘t iine for a moment that it was a situation he‘d ever encountered

He took a step towards her, brushing a stray strand of hair off her face with a fingertipDo you want it to be part of the deal?‘ he asked softly

No!‘ His touch scorched her, bringing her back to her senses This was exactly what she‘d been afraid of What she‘d vowed to avoid Backing away fro the robe htly around her

Thank you for your offer, but the answer is no When I get ht reasons For love, not for practicality‘