The Italian's Fake Fiancée

67

"Do you know how difficult it was for me to remain there acting like I wasn't affected by the things you said to me? Like I wasn't falling more and more in love with you. The gentle way you talked to me, your understanding."

He swallowed nervously.

"Don't you understand it, Leo? You confused me like no one has ever done before. You did kiss me at times when I was sure none of your family members was watching and then say nothing later. No explanation. And of course, I couldn't tell you that it was bothering me, that I was in love with you lest it turns out you reciprocated no such feelings for me too and was only pretending to, as the charade required. When that happens, I feared you might feel uncomfortable with me, and eventually might want to lay me off after the charade was done and I needed that job!"

"I had no idea, Paige. Truly, I didn't."

"Of course you didn't. How could you have known I was dying inside every day from love unspent. And when we had sex, oh lord Leo, and you said you would marry me if a child ever came out of it. What was i to think?"

"That I wanted you," Leo said passionately. Reaching out a hand to touch her. "And as such, everything that came with you."

"You don't understand it," Paige wriggled out of his reach and his face fell. "I'm not a mind reader. And you were very tight-lipped about things like this how was I to know? Do you know how long I suffered inside? After all those months, I finally told you about my feelings and you won't even believe me."

"Good lord, Paige—"

"Don't come any closer to me. She wiped a lone tear with her thumb. Slowly drawing backward as he advanced forward towards her. I didn't tell you i was pregnant because I would have hated for you to marry me for the sake of a baby."

"Paige—"

"I said don't come any closer to me," Paige shrieked. However, it was already too late because in the next second Leo stretched out a hand and dragged her into his arms. His breath harsh over her head. Her purse fell as he crushed her in his arms.

She pulled away from him, covering her face with her hands. "Oh God, I can't believe I said all those things out loud." Embarrassment at last reaching her.

Leo pulled her back into his arms fiercely, resting his chin on her head and caressing her back with the most, most gentle of touch as she cried. "It's nothing to be ashamed of."

"Easy for you to say. You aren't the one who poured out their feelings."

At that, he paused and pulled her away from him, caressing her hair away from her face before his hand found its resting place at her shoulders, and he wiped her tears with his thumb.

"If it would make you feel good, I wasn't any better, Paige. I had fallen in love with you long before we returned to the states, but was too conflicted about my feelings for you, about how to approach you, seeing we had so many issues then," he waved his hand in the air. "Lolita suddenly seducing me in the pool, and you being so disgusted when i told you I would marry you if you got pregnant."