“I know.” I kiss the top of her head. “America is so backward.”
She pushes me, but then wraps her arms around my waist, hugging me. “I don’t want to fuck this up.”
My hand strokes down her back and I kiss the top of her head. “One of us should marry you if you see this relationship going long-term. It allows us to be there in the case of an emergency. It makes sure you’re protected. The other three can marry you in ceremony or something sweet and just as meaningful, Bambina.”
“You shouldn’t have let me know about the ring.” She grumbles against my chest.
“I didn’t expect you to unpack for me.” I chuckle.
She nods, then licks across her bottom lip. “I’m just going to make myself forget. I’m sure Gunner has a drink combo for that, right? And then, if you get to the point where you feel like it’s time, talk to the guys first. If you propose to me before you’ve talked to them, you know what my answer will be.”
“Why does this suddenly feel like an ultimatum?” I narrow my eyes at her. Something hot and angry coils around my heart.
“It is. We are a group, together, not a couple. I don’t want us divided when a conversation or two can prevent that.” She kisses my neck, all reasonable and thought out. “I love you, Roman.”
“You won’t tell them?” I ask slowly.
She shakes her head. “That’s your job. If I had bought the ring, it would be mine.”
Damn her logic. It’s good. We could probably use her in negotiations if we gave her the background information necessary. If she can stay this focused with me here, talking about something personal without letting emotions get the best of her … none of our partners would see her coming.
And they’d be so distracted by her looks that they wouldn’t expect her to have cut-throat demands and expectations.
She blushes. “Don’t look at me like that when we’re having this conversation.”
“Like I love you? Admire you?” I lift her chin and gently kiss between her eyebrows. “Am lucky as hell to have you?”
“Yes.” Her eyes flutter shut when I kiss her temple. “I’m making a point.”
“You made your point well.” I breathe against her ear, before kissing the corner of her jaw. “It’s a turn-on that you’re so good at presenting facts.”
“Only to you.” But she’s still here, not pulling away.
I kiss her softly and then release her. “I’ll talk to the guys before I do anything with the ring. Right now, consider it a trinket. Maybe it’s a gift to my grandmother.”
She laughs and my lips curve up. She squeezes my hand. “I’m making dinner tonight, but if you get home early …”
“I will happily help in the kitchen, Bambina. You know how much I enjoy being there with you.”
She bounces a little as she walks out and I can feel a fraction of that stress slip off my shoulders. And she gave me an incentive to get home at a normal time so I can take care of her and have dinner with her.
I’m just not sure what to expect when I walk in the door. The guys pick up on things quicker than I like to admit and Sophie’s distancing will raise eyebrows, especially if we’re doing better once I get home.
The smart, businessman side of me says to get home when I get home, but the greedy romancer within craves time with her. I have enough money to basically retire and be able to travel the world for the rest of my days.
Would it be so terrible if I just started training someone to take over some of my roles so I can finally indulge myself in something other than work? That’s another big idea, just like proposing that will take time to put together, which is why I want everything to be set and ready.
Preparation is sexy, even if something is going to be a surprise. Consequences have to be weighed, balanced, thought through, otherwise, something pleasant can go bad quickly.
I rub my forehead and get invited to a meeting. Miles and one of our biggest partners. I see Holden pop in as well. It ends up being an hour and a half long meeting about specifics that don’t matter. Our partner just wants to be sure he’s still involved to a satisfying degree. And to remind us he exists and can throw his weight around.
“Well, I think that covers all my questions,” Carl says, adjusting his jacket with a smug look on his face. “So glad we were able to take care of that.”
“Of course.” Miles agrees, a tight smile on his face. “I appreciate that you come to us with any questions before assuming.”
“It keeps our partnership in calm waters,” I murmur.
Holden sends me a message saying Sophie is making Italian for dinner and has music on in the kitchen which is why he’s on mute.