Bound by the Italian's Contract(88)

                “I wish to address this to all women in hopes it will keep another woman from living with the torment I have,” she said, her voice surprisingly strong and clear now. “Seven years ago I was the victim of a rape. Out of fear, humiliation and worry I kept that dark secret.”

                She paused when the audience murmured among themselves, waiting for them to quiet. “I don’t know if he attacked other women, and because he has since died I won’t reveal his name. But I urge any woman who has been victimized to step forward immediately and seek help. Don’t let one act of violence victimize you for life.”

                She stepped back, and he noted the barest tremble shake through her then and the audience stared at her in stark silence.

                Luc stepped forward, faced Caprice and began clapping. Soon others joined in until the room exploded with applause.

                “Thank you,” she said once more as she stepped to the mic. Then with a bow, she reached for his hand and he escorted her back to the privacy of her office.

                “That was extremely courageous of you,” he said.

                She shrugged. “It had to be said.”

                “I agree,” he said, uncertain how to begin something so vital when his senses were on overload just being so near her again. “I’m very proud of you.”

                She glanced up at him and flushed a lovely pink, a nervous smile playing over the lips he longed to claim. “Thanks. Is there something you needed?”

                Just the opening he needed. “Yes, you. Come back to Italy with me.”

                She stiffened. “I have a business to run.”

                “You could do that from Italy.”

                She slapped her palms flat on her desk. “I won’t be your mistress, Luciano.”

                He nudged her chin up despite her attempt to pull away from him. “I wouldn’t dream of asking that of you. My God, Caprice, I love you deeply. I want you with me. Is that so hard to understand?”

                “What did you say?” Caprice sputtered.

                “Bella, you are my world. My present. My future. I never realized what love was until you opened your heart to me.” And as tears slipped from her eyes, he came around her desk and dropped onto one knee, his gaze riveted on the strong woman before him. “I love you, Caprice Tregore. You have stolen my heart, and I am nothing without you.”

                “I love you, too,” she said, stepping closer to him, both trembling hands resting on his shoulders now.

                In a blink her world narrowed to this moment. This man. This door opening to the future she’d dreamed of having and feared would never come about.

                Luc smiled, his spirits lightening, realizing he was actually happy. The fear, the apprehension vanished. Absolutely nothing in his life had ever felt so right. So freeing. So perfect. Not the competitions that had challenged his mind and body on the slopes. Not the conquests he’d made in business or pleasure.

                This was real and he wanted it. Wanted her, now and forever. “Marry me, Caprice. Make me a happy man.”

                “You’re serious,” she said, half sobbing, half laughing. “You really want a marriage with a house and children and a forever kind of love?”

                “Yes, I want a real marriage with you as well as children to start the next generations of Duchelini champions,” he said with a grin. “Your answer?”