Forbidden Kiss (19 page)
Authors: Shannon Leigh
Rom followed his gaze to see blood still seeping from his wounds. Wounds that should have already begun to heal.
“I’m mortal?”
“Looks that way to me,” Rossi breathed on the verge of a cough attack.
“How? And what do I do now? I’m lost Goddamn it and don’t know how to stop this.”
Rossi sank to his knees and let his taxed lungs struggle for breath. When he could talk again, he lifted his heavy head.
“Give her what she wants.”
Rom looked away from Rossi and back to Jule’s face. Her skin had paled.
Give her what she wants.
Love. A home. Someplace to feel safe.
“Jule. I love you. Do you hear me? I love you. Come back. Marry me. Have a family. Half a dozen kids if you want.” He clutched her to him, rocking back and forth on the dais, refusing to give her up.
Ah, dear Juliet,
Why art thou yet so fair? Shall I believe
That unsubstantial death is amorous,
And that the lean abhorred monster keeps
Thee here in dark to be his paramour?
For fear of that I still will stay with thee
And never from this pallet of dim night
Depart again. Here, here will I remain.
Rom reached for the dagger at his feet. If he was mortal, then he could die.
“Don’t,” Rossi whispered.
Rom hesitated, the dagger’s point drawing more blood upon his naked chest.
“Don’t. Wait.”
He closed his eyes, ready to drive the blade home, ready to join Juliet.
A light glowed beyond his eyelids, growing stronger and brighter until Rom opened his eyes. The dais pulsed with light once again, filling the tomb with warm hues of gold and ruddy browns.
Jule’s eyes opened.
…
“Rom?”
He stared down at her from a distance, his head and shoulders surrounded by a beautiful warm light.
“I’m here,” he spoke softly.
“Where is here?”
“The hospital. You’re fine. Recovering.”
His hand tangled in her hair and he leaned in, kissing her lips. Jule closed her eyes again and allowed the sensation to wash over her—all the way from her head down to her toes.
She was alive. He was alive.
Whoa. Wait a minute—
Jule opened her eyes and saw Rom sitting in the chair next to her bed. His left arm rested across his chest, bound tightly by a sling.
“You were shot.”
He smiled, his heart in his eyes. “So were you. But we made it. Both of us. And soon as you’re able, we’re going home.”
Home? To Chicago?
He must have read the look in her eyes. “Not to Chicago. To the house on Lake Garda.”
“I thought that part of your life was over,” she said, trying not to ball like a baby in front of him.
“The part about being without you is, but the part about living happily ever after, is, hopefully, just beginning.”
She blinked at him. Happily ever after? Them?
“Jule,” he said, getting down on one knee, “I’m doing my best here and asking you to marry me.”
“Do you really want to marry me? Me, Jule?”
Rom grabbed her hand in his. “God, yes. If you want me, Rom Montgomery, and not that other guy.” He offered a lopsided smile.
And what would Jule Casale say to such a marriage proposal?
“When’s the ceremony?”
Acknowledgments
To the wonderful team of people at Entangled Publishing. It truly has been a pleasure working with all of you. You’re committed, thoughtful, responsive individuals who deeply care about the quality of product you put forth to readers. Thank you, so very much!
About the Author
Growing up in Hell’s Back Forty, Shannon Leigh developed a fierce loyalty to all things Texas and pledged to share the romance of small town dance halls and the flavor of brisket BBQ with readers. Currently, she lives in Fort Worth with an extensive cowboy boot collection, a red and white, ’67 Chevy pickup and a mission to find the best taco stands in the city. You can reach her at: [email protected]. Find her on
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Where PARA meets NORMAL…
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