They were in a busy section of Venice, with tourists watching in fascination. Oh goodness, this should have been in their room, notoutside.
He adjusted his shirt and she instantly met his gaze while he took her free hand in his. “I must marry Donna. I want it to be withyou.”
Say yes!Blackwell was the best man she’d ever find, but they had nothing in common. What happened when the lust ended and they were left to just talk? She couldn’t trust his motives, even if part of her heart begged her to change her mind. She clutched the ring in her hand. “Can I think aboutthis?”
He took a deep breath and she waited for his words. He smelled like oak and was just as strong—he’d be a great husband and father. Her heart raced in the silence, but he kept her hand. Finally, he took a step to go beside her and motioned with his head to continue walking. “Yes. Of course. Let’s go. Giovanni Bellini is my favorite artist in this next museum on thelist.”
The museum wasn’t what she wanted anymore. She squeezed the ring in the palm of her hand. Her heart still screamed she needed to say yes, but she walked into the building with him as if the scene minutes before hadn’t happened. “I want to see Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man.” She swallowed as he bought them tickets. What she really wanted to do was figure out if they’d fit well together so could accept his proposal. But for now, she said, “Thank you,Blackwell.”
He walked her inside and toward the rather small and unassuming portrait of a man in motion that Leonardo had created centuries before. Perhaps it was her mood, but she wasn’t thatimpressed.
As they walked away from the portrait, Blackwell said, “If you want to stay in Venice and drive in the morning, it’s fine. This trip is entirely yourchoice.”
Her heart skipped again as she still held the ring. She was tempted to put it on and forget her fears racing through her mind. “Mychoice?”
“Absolutely.” They walked into a room filled with Belliniportraits.
She understood why Blackwell said he was a favorite. The artist caught human expressions in a way that brought them to life, but she ignored the images and stared at Blackwell’s profile. He’d be a perfect muscled gladiator or a medieval knight with that shiny dark hair, dark eyes and strong emotions or even that cowboy on the range if he wore the right hat. He’d grown up in Colorado and his sense of independence was instilled in his everybreath.
She held the ring to her heart, inhaled and said quietly so only he heard, “I’d like to see your home and then possibly fly to Paris. It’s hard to think about saying yes when I don’t know where you live or what your life islike.”
Twin dimples appeared as he winked at her. “Always thinking. It’s part of yourcharm.”
He thought her charming? A thrill raced through her body, lighting up every cell. She wanted him, but pointed toward a picture of a couple not looking at each other. “I can see why you likeBellini.”
“He’s good at human expressions.” He blocked her from moving on. “My car is fueled and ready to go, whenever youare.”
A huge smile grew when she let her heart believe she might say yes. “Good. Oh, and ask me with this ring again when we’re in Paris, perhaps in Versailles.” She handed it back to him and closed his fingers around the ring. “I’ve always thought the palace must be soromantic.”
He kissed her cheek and put the ring back in his pocket. “Done. I’myours.”
She laughed and joy grew in her heart. Perhaps she’d found true love this trip. Who knew? For now, she gripped his hands. “Irresistible. It’s part of yourcharm.”
Neither moved and his lips lowered to meet hers, not caring that they were in the middle of the crowd. His hand traced her arm. “Let’s head back to our room before we check out, Donna. Then we’ll work up our appetite fordinner.”
She wanted him too. She closed her eyes and lifted her face and lips though she said, “We did leave early this morning. I’m game. Lead theway.”
Then his mouth covered hers and she forgot about anything else except the two ofthem.
