Page 49 of Rogue Romeo
I move over, making room on my left side for her. “I agree.”
She holds out her hand, palm facing me. “I need to stand for this, Alex. Ineedyou to hear me, okay?”
I nod slowly, and she continues. “Firstly, never,everblindside me like that, Alexander DeMarco. I agreed to enter into this arrangement because I.Trust.You.” I flinch at that, and she steps closer, pinning me with an uncompromising stare. “Shit like this will chip away at that trust, and I’ll be out of here faster than you can blink. You got me?”
“Yes, absolutely. I’m so sorry—”
I get the palm again and fuck me if this rage of hers isn’t a total turn-on.
“A simple nod will suffice.” Her words are clipped as her eyes flash like obsidian. “Now, secondly, being your fake girlfriend is one thing. Your fiancée is a whole other ball game, pretty boy. I’m going to need a more concrete timeline when it comes to this.”
She inhales through her nose, exhaling slowly through her lips. “Now, you may speak.”
I swallow roughly before I begin. “Okay, so first…I trulyamsorry for how today went down. Full disclosure, when I told Henry that I had a girlfriend, I knew he would need somethingmore,so I told him that I wanted to propose to her.”
She sighs heavily, shifting closer as I continue. “Initially, I had the idea to pop the question today while he was here, and I wanted to get your fully surprised reaction forhisbenefit.”
I rise onto my knees, crawling to the edge of the bed to extend my hand in a silent plea. “It wasn’t until we were in that moment that I realized how thoughtless I’d been toward your feelings, and for that, I feel like the biggest piece of shit. All I can say is, if you chose to stick around, Iswearto never blindside you ever,everagain. I will forever put your thoughts and feelings above all others. This is my promise to you.”
I let my head drop as I finish. “I understand if I’ve broken your trust, Rey. And for that, I’m sorrier than you know.”
After a beat, her small hand lands in mine, and I raise shocked eyes to hers as relief fills my chest.
She moves closer, climbing up to kneel on the bed opposite me. “I believe you, Alex. IknowI can trust you. My gut doesn’t lie.”
Our gazes hold, and I can see her soften, but even so, I need to show her how truly sorry I am. “Okay, hear me out.”
She nods, shifting closer until our knees are touching.
“Marry me in six months, divorce me six months later.”
Her eyes blow wide, and she moves to speak, but I gently press my finger over her soft lips. “Be my fiancée, and my wife, and one year from now, I’ll give you anything you want. You want me to buy the Pearson School for you, Sunshine? Consider it done. A house, and staff in any country of your choosing? Piece of cake. I’ll give you the world, just please…say you’ll stay.”
I allow my hand to drop away from her mouth, and she regards me for long moments with serious eyes. “My own studio. For under-privileged children. All costs covered.”
My heart clenches at her selflessness, even when she could haveanythingfor herself, but I nod softly, willing to give her the world if she asked for it. “It’s yours.”
Rey smiles brightly as I open my arms, and she slides hers around my neck, allowing me to enclose her in my embrace. I hold her for a long moment, her soft breath tickling my neck as the tension ebbs away. “I’m truly sorry.”
“I know.” She pulls back enough to look into my eyes. “Don’tdo it again, okay?”
I nod. “I will always be honest with you, Rey.” I pinch her chin gently between my thumb and index finger, my eyes holding hers firmly. “Whatever you’re feeling, share it with me. Talk to me; never shut me out, okay?”
She tugs her bottom lip between her teeth, my eyes following the movement. “It’s a deal, pretty boy.”
I hold out my arms playfully. “Fancy sealing it with a kiss?”
She throws back her head, exposing the delicate column of her throat as she laughs loudly and freely, and I can’t help joining in.
“In-fucking-corrigible!”
She slides her cell from her pocket and deposits it on my nightstand with a wry smile. Then, flopping back onto my bed, she lies back against the headboard to side-eye me.
“So, what are we watching?”
* * *
REYNA