Read Online LusitanianStud by Francesca St. Claire - Free Book Online Page B

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same way. That’s what I wanted. All I wanted was him.
    I gave him my most alluring smile. “I was thinking of
another way to restore my emotional equilibrium.”
    Attuned to my mood he raised one dark eyebrow. “Yeah? What’s
that?” His question sounded perfectly innocent but his sexy lips curved
slightly as he dragged my dress up, just enough to caress my bare thigh.
    I drew his head toward me, our lips almost touching. “Love
me, Diogo,” I rasped.
    “I do,” he said, his loving gaze tender as he feathered his
thumb across my bottom lip, kindling a warm desire in my belly. “And I always
will.” My lashes fluttered closed as my heart swelled in my chest. God, I loved
him so much! I hugged him tight.
    “Marry me, Sarah.” My lashes fluttered open as joy filled my
entire being and elation blossomed within me.
    Marry me, Sarah!
    “Oh Diogo,” I breathed, my eyes brimming with tears as the
significance of his words registered. But while my world tipped on its axis and
my heart burst with love for this man—this wonderful man I loved so much—my
emotions were still tempered by doubt. Was it really possible that after all
these years I was finally keeping my prince?
    “Are you sure?”
    An adoring smile appeared. “Totally,” he said as he placed a
kiss on the tip of my nose.
    A tear slipped down my cheek. He wiped away the moisture
with his finger. “Say yes, Sarah, and make me the happiest man on earth,” he
coaxed me tenderly.
    I bit my bottom lip and nodded jerkily. “Yes, I’ll marry
you. I’ll be Mrs. Diogo Vilas-Boas,” I murmured, the sound and meaning of the
words starting to ring true in my head.
    Diogo chuckled, amused as he held my face between his palms.
“That’s the idea, though in Portugal you would be known as Dona Sarah
Vilas-Boas.” His wink released some of the tension swirling inside me as I
sniffed and smiled.
    He glided his hands up my thighs and over my hips, dragging
my dress up my torso and over my head until I lay in his arms in my sexy
underwear. “How have I lived the last seven years without you in my life?” he asked,
his tone awed.
    “I think it was meant to happen this way,” I said, and I
knew it to be true.
    The past was the past. There was so much to look forward to
in the future and I didn’t want to waste another minute dwelling on bygone
issues.
    The sassy look in my eyes was meant to tempt and tease him,
as well as to focus his mind on more pressing, happier matters. “I believe we
should seal our love with a special celebration, don’t you think?”
    His gaze connected with mine and he grinned, ready and
willing to accommodate me, now and for the rest of our lives together. “Yes ma’am,
I do.”
    My heart rate accelerated and I felt the blazing heat of his
gaze on my lips. “Same room?” he asked, and I nodded.
    We moved swiftly into the corridor that led to my old
bedroom. Planning on staying only the summer, I hadn’t bothered to move into my
grandmother’s bigger and more comfortable room. I wish I had, the bed was wider
in there, but the thought of starting a new chapter with Diogo in the same room
where another chapter had ended seven years before felt like a sweet
vindication to me.
    “This place hasn’t changed,” Diogo said, looking around as
he tugged at his clothes.
    “No.”
    He returned his attention to me, but finding me in the
process of removing my bra he put his arm out and covered my hand with his. “Allow
me…please.”
    Butterfly wings fluttered in my chest at the sound of his
low voice and gentle touch. His hands clutched my shoulders as he stared into
my eyes, the desire in his expression leaving me spellbound. He slid his thumbs
under the straps of my ivory bra and ran his hands over my shoulders, taking
the garment with him. When he leaned forward and brushed his lips over my
exposed skin—his kiss but a caress—I shuddered, causing him to smile as he
stroked my breasts.
    “Diogo,” I breathed, closing my