Read Online A Second Past Midnight (The Sentinels) by Melinda Hunter - Free Book Online

damage with that shrapnel, but if you didn’t— Well, are you going to say something or just stand there?”
    Arrigo hesitated to speak bec ause his fear went beyond her wrath and to what her rejection would do to him. Within that brief moment, Arrigo struggled to find the words that would best fit the situation. He definitely hadn’t planned to be dripping wet, wearing only a towel and having Sana accidentally find the ring he had bought on the spur of the moment. And he definitely hadn’t planned on her finding the receipt.
    “ I. I don’t know what to say.” Arrigo stared at her hoping she might give him some idea of how she felt.
    “You obviously had something in mind.” Sana rocked her hand back and forth.
    “No. Not yet. I thought I had two days to think of something. Did you open it?” Arrigo wanted to know if she even liked it.
    Her eyes widened and she glanced down at the box.
    “No, ” Sana whispered. She stared at the box as if she were trying to see through its exterior. The moment gave him enough time to tuck his towel in tight and walk across the room.
    Standing inches from her, he cupped her hand in his.
    “I love you and don’t want to spend my life without you. I know this has all happened quickly, but I need you.” Arrigo took in another deep breath and waited. He didn’t know what to expect, but he could hope. He hoped that she felt the same way about him and that she would accept.
    “Arrigo,” she whispered. Sana dropped his coat to the ground, keeping the box in her hand and then lifted the other to cup his cheek. He stared down at her to find her brown eyes gloss over.
    “I’ll take it back.” Arrigo couldn’t take it any longer. Her delay in speaking, her impending tears, and her hesitation all told him all he needed to know. He must have had brain damage to have thought that she would want him, especially after only knowing him a month.
    Fluidly, he slipped the box from her hand and turned to go back to the bathroom.
    “Damn it!” Sana grabbed his hand and tried to pry the box from his grip. “That’s mine and I want it back,” she snapped.
    Arrigo turned toward her and instinctively, he jerked his hand back from her.
    “You don’t want it and that’s fine. I’ll return it,” Arrigo snapped back.
    “I. Want . It. Back.” Sana hissed through clenched teeth. “I never said I didn’t want it. I merely asked if you were crazy for spending thirty-two thousand dollars on it!”
    Arrigo narrowed his gaze at her, grabbed her hand in his and forced the box into her palm. “You better see if you even like it first.” He barked back at her knowing that he could play her game.
    Sana smiled and Arrigo relaxed. She stared at him and he couldn’t take it any longer.
    “You’re killing me Sana. Please just open it.” Arrigo felt his pulse race at the anticipation. He only hoped that she would like it.
    “I really don’t care what it looks like. I know I’ll love it.” She threw her arms around his neck and practically choked him.
    “Sana,” he growled.
    She slid back. “Okay. Gees. Mr. Impatient today aren’t we?” she mumbled. She had no idea how impatient he felt right then. While stating she wanted the ring, he still wasn’t completely convinced that she would say yes.
    Sana pulled the box open and while Arrigo waited for her to look up, he got an audible response that he hadn’t expected.
    “Holy shit !” she exclaimed. Arrigo laughed as she looked up at him with a grin so big that he knew he would remember this moment forever.
    “Do you like it?” Arrigo would beg her for an answer if he had to.
    “I love it, but damn Arrigo did you have to spend so much? I just don’t know what to say.” Sana tiptoed up and kissed him before he could answer.
    “I love you,” she whispered against his mouth.
    Arrigo forced her back. “You do?” He almost couldn’t believe that she had said the words.
    She rolled her eyes at him and it infuriated him. “Are you