Nico’s gaze grew more intense as he scooted even closer to me, our legs touching. “And I hope you know that I don’t give a fuck if you want to paint forgeries. Actually, I think it’s sexy as hell.” His fingers trailed down my arm, then came back up to lift the chain around my neck and reveal the Eiffel Tower pendant. “You can’t imagine how happy it makes me that you still wear it.”

“It’s the best gift I’ve ever received. Even when you broke my heart, I never took it off.”

“You’re too good for me, Ladybug. Don’t get me wrong, I’m keeping you anyway, but no matter how many laws you break, you’ll always be perfect in my eyes.”

I wanted to dive into his arms, but I held back, knowing we still had an important issue to work through. “What about Michael?” I asked hesitantly.

Nico’s eyes darkened, his lips thinning almost imperceptibly. “Is he the only obstacle between us? Is there anything else I need to know?”

I shook my head. “He’s the last of my secrets.”

He gave a determined nod. “Then we’ll figure it out. I’m not about to let him come between us.”

I started to ask for clarification, unclear what he meant, but he placed a finger over my lips.

“Sofia Genovese, I’ve loved you every minute of my life since I was six years old. I’ve thought about you endlessly and dreamed about you each night. I promise you, we will figure it out together. Okay?”

I nodded with his finger still pressed to my lips, my heart a melted puddle of goo at my feet. I loved this man so much it was incomprehensible. Just being there with him, my wounded soul felt patched and whole.

Nico’s callused fingers reached behind my neck and pulled me gently forward, bringing my lips to his. Our previous kisses had a combatant, feisty nature to them but not this one. This kiss was pure love and forgiveness. Without taking his lips from mine, Nico lifted me in his arms and carried me to his bedroom.

“I’ve fucked you and toyed with you, but now I want to make love to you. You’ll see. We’ll get this all sorted, and then I’m going to make you my wife so that you and everyone on this fucking planet knows you’re mine.” He leaned in again, this time kissing me with all the pent-up passion that simmered between us.

I couldn’t have argued if I’d wanted to. Not that I did.

It was all I’d ever wanted my entire life.

We both stripped bare, no clothes or secrets between us, and made love under the dim glow of the city lights. Our love making wasn’t leisurely or gentle because that wasn’t the nature of our love. Nothing about Nico and I was casual or delicate. We were intense and passionate—our intimacy lasting long hours until we were both utterly spent. And even then, we remained tangled in each other’s bodies, unwilling to part.