Incriminated, page 6
As the panic began to grip me the corner of his lips turned up, causing my eyes to widen. Is he really smirking right now?
"Did I redeem myself yet?"
nine
Within a week and a half Michael was released from the hospital, but was restricted to bed rest for another week before he could come back and have his wound checked. The doctor released him to me, and I rarely let him out of my site. We had to push back the opening of the restaurant, but I was able to handle all of that from my cellphone, by Michael's side.
We had tried sleeping in the same bed, but after my body had unintentionally found his in the middle of night and grabbed his wound, we moved him to the couch. I woke every day and made him breakfast, then we watched movies or TV together. Elena, Frankie, and Alice had become frequent visitors. Elena often brought lunch or dinner over, and they kept Michael company while I ran errands. Once the week was up I brought him back to the hospital, and was rewarded with a lift on the restriction. Michael still had to take it easy, but the wound was healing nicely and the doctor expected he'd back completely healed in another week or so.
We were walking through the parking garage, my hand wrapped around his waist when he suddenly stopped me and pulled me into his arms.
"Michael, we're in a parking garage. Just because the doctor said you don't have to stay in bed all day doesn't mean you get to frisk me in public,” I scolded, only to be silenced by a searing kiss from him. When he pulled away I blinked rapidly, wondering how quickly we could get into the back of the SUV, preferably naked.
"Gabriella, you're it for me, you know that?" he sighed, his hand sliding up to cup my cheek.
"What are you talking about?"
"I mean you're fuckin' it for me! You're my girl, you're my life. I took a bullet for you; does that not spell it out for you?" He chuckled and shook his head, before sliding his other hand up to my face, holding it in place.
"Marry me."
"Marry you!?" I shot back, my head swimming with a million questions. Marry him? Did I want that? Did I want to marry someone I knew had killed more than one person? Did I want to marry someone that had held me hostage? But that wasn't the man in front of me anymore, I knew that. The man in front of me was sweet, smart, and business oriented. He was sexy, charming, and had a wonderful family that I considered myself part of.
"Am I speaking French, Gabriella? Yes. Marry me. Don't try to tell me you aren't sure, bambina, I know you are. You took care of me, you've stuck by me, and we’re opening a business together. Just let me put it on paper, let me put a ring on that finger and call you my wife," he urged, his hands moving down to my shoulders, gripping them gently.
"I … Michael, this is just so sudden. Can I think about this?" I looked away, hoping he wouldn't get upset. Instead I was answered with a chuckle, and his arm sliding down to my waist to pull me towards the car.
"Think about it all you want, Gabriella. But mark my words; you're going to be my wife." He smirked a little and plucked the keys from my hand, pushing me towards the passenger's side as he opened the door. I slid in silently, my eyes wide as I considered the weight of his question.
Mrs. Michael Russo, was I ready for that?
He began humming quietly to himself, slipping into the leather seat next to me before turning on the car. He pulled my hands into his lap and idly rubbed at my ring finger the whole ride home.
The last week before the opening had gone by in a blur. We spent hours making last minute preparations, hoping that the delayed opening wouldn't hurt us. Friday, the day of our opening I opened my eyes to a tray of food sitting on top of me and a smirking, shirtless Michael.
"Eat up, beautiful. Long day ahead of us."
He leaned down and kissed my forehead before walking out of the room. My brows furrowed a bit, wondering why he suddenly seemed so calm. I sat up and smiled a little at the spread before me. Eggs, pastries, bacon, juice, coffee… I had to admit it, when he tried—the guy was unstoppable. I ate quickly and pulled the tray off of me before slipping out of bed. I looked down at my body, not remembering when I had put his t-shirt on. Shrugging a bit I grabbed the empty plates and cups and headed towards the kitchen.
"So, the restaurant is only open 5pm-11pm tonight. I know you want to head over there and be there all day but you've done enough and I want you to go relax today, alright? I already made the spa appointment." He looked at me squarely, as if asking me to try and disobey him.
I froze for a moment, thinking back to the last spa appointment he had made me. As if he could read the fear on my face he sighed and took the plates from my hand, setting them on the counter. Once his hands were free he pulled me into his chest, his lips pressing against my hair.
"Gabriella, I know I can never say sorry enough times, but that part of our life is done. I'll never do anything to hurt you again." He pulled me back a little, his eyes locking on mine.
"I love you, alright? I love you more than anything I could ever love. You're all I think about, all I dream about—when that bitch aimed that gun at you... I didn't even have to think. I'd pick you every time, Gabriella." I could see expression in his eyes, he was resolute… this was real.
"I... I love you too."
I smiled, burying my face in his chest. That was all it took. The pressure that had been building in my chest day after day was suddenly gone, the stress was gone, the fear… gone. He loved me, I loved him, and this was it for us.
He reached down to grab my chin, tilting my head up.
"I've been waiting to hear those words… longer than I want to admit." And with that his lips were on mine. His kiss started full of love, sweet and tender… but soon turned feverish, and needy. I answered it eagerly, my arms sliding up around his neck. He growled a little against my lips and slipped his hands down to my ass, pulling me up until I wrapped my legs around his waist. I giggled against his lips, earning another growl as he carried me to my room.
He bent over the bed and laid me down, his lips pulling away from mine. His hands instantly went to the edge of the shirt that covered me, quickly pulling it up and over my body. Once it was off he stopped and stared at my naked form, his eyes raking over every inch of my skin.
"God, I'm never going to get used to how beautiful you are," he groaned, pushing his fingers through his hair as his eyes continued to ravish me. Without another word he leaned down and pressed his lips to collarbone, his breath tickling my skin. One of his hands slid down to grip mine, pinning it above my head quickly. I surrendered to him completely, and let him spend the better part of the morning showing me just how much he loved me.
"I'll be damned if another man ever gets to experience this with you," he whispered in my ear, falling to his side before pulling me into his arms.
The second the words were out of his mouth I realized, I didn't want that either.
ten
The opening of the restaurant had been beautiful, and incredibly successful. Michael and I floated around the room, speaking with patrons, filling wine glasses, and joking with the staff. Frankie, Elena, Alice and Danny had stuck around for a few hours—enjoying the view from the VIP area up top. Music flowed through the room, mixed with laughter, and endless conversations. By the time we closed we were purely euphoric—amazed that for once in our short time together, something had gone perfectly. By the time 12:30 came around all of our staff had cleared out, making sure everything was ready for the next day. I had been in the kitchen moving a few things around when I heard the piano drifting through the kitchen doors.
I pushed through the swinging doors and smiled a little as my eyes landed on Michael, his back to me as his talented fingers slid across the ivory keys. I walked towards the piano, enjoying the dimly lit atmosphere that our restaurant had. Once I reached the bench I rested my hands on his shoulders, swaying slowly behind him as he began to croon out the familiar words of “It had to be you.” I hummed along with him, enjoying our intimate moment after a night of chaos. As the song came to an end he spun around and took my left hand, dropping to his knees dramatically. I laughed and rolled my eyes. Before I could speak he slipped his hand into his jacket pocket, holding a delicately crafted diamond ring in front of me moments later.
“I said it before, and I’ll keep saying it until you say yes, Brie. Be my wife.”
His hand held mine tightly, his eyes searching mine as if he could get the answer any faster that way. I let the tears fall freely, knowing that I would merely be prolonging the inevitable by saying anything but yes. I loved him; I loved every twisted little thing that I knew. Our meeting had been so unconventional, so drastic—but our love had come so effortlessly afterwards. He had risked his life for me, had come to my aid each time I needed him, and he empowered me. Wasn’t that funny? After everything I had gone through, after how low I had gotten—my original captor was now the one that empowered me to do the things I wanted. I knew it would be a while till everything was completely healed… till the wounds were gone for both of us. But I was more than willing to wait; I’d give him eternity if he asked for it.
“Yes.” I said quietly, finding myself swept up in his arms moments after. He held me close and pressed feverish kisses to my face over and over, laughing loudly as he spun me around. It was another beginning for us, another chapter, and hopefully a new life.
From The Author
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Maria Delaurentis, Incriminated
