Seduced by the Heir(40)

"I'm fine. Just overwhelmed by everything that happened yesterday."

Angela wore a sympathetic smile. "That's understandable. The past  twenty-four hours have been incredibly stressful, and the media  attention on Rafael has been insane."

You can say that again, she thought, expelling a deep breath. For the  second time in weeks, Rafael had ended up on the front of the local  newspapers. The headlines flashed in her mind, one after another.  Shipping Heir Saves the Day! Morretti Family Under Attack! Gun Shootout  in Coral Gables! The media was intrusive and unwelcomed. Ever since the  story broke the paparazzi had been camped out at Nicco's estate. Armed  bodyguards built like WWE wrestlers were stationed at the entrance of  Dolce Vita. Several undercover police officers were among the crowd.  Arturo didn't want anyone to ruin Nicco's birthday celebration and had  taken every measure to ensure his family was safe.

"Try not to worry," Angela advised. "Things will blow over in the next  couple days, and the media will move on to the next big story. They  always do."

Paris glanced around the room in search of Rafael, but couldn't find him  anywhere. She was still shaken up over the incident, but she put on a  brave face. She didn't want to ruin the festive mood, but couldn't help  feeling alone and neglected. She hadn't had a second alone with Rafael  since his mother had burst into the kitchen frantically calling his  name. Paris couldn't help but wonder if Mrs. Morretti was purposely  trying to keep them apart.

She shook off the thought. You're being silly, she told herself. She had  nothing to worry about, no reason to feel insecure. Later, when she was  alone with Rafael, she'd share her exciting news. A smile warmed her  lips. She was one step closer to opening her beauty salon, and the life  she'd always dreamed of was finally within her grasp. Relocating to  Washington was a big step, but Paris knew that it was the right  decision. I wonder what Rafael will say when I tell him I'm-

"Paris, darling, may I have a word with you in private?"                       
       
           



       

Before she could respond, Mrs. Morretti took her arm and led her through  the dining room. Streamers, helium balloons and ribbons hung from the  ceiling. The black-and-white decor looked sharp against the colorful  birthday banners. Paris heard noisemakers ring out and smiled to herself  when Rafael's favorite Rod Stewart song filled the air. Tantalizing  aromas wafted out of the open kitchen, and her mouth watered when a  waiter rushed by carrying a silver tray topped with decadent chocolate  desserts.

"Because of everything that happened yesterday we haven't had much time to talk."

Nodding, she smiled politely at Vivica Morretti, who was dressed in an  ivory floor-length gown. Her glowing, caramel-brown skin was flawless  and free of wrinkles.

"What are your intentions with my son?"

Paris felt her mouth sag open, and slammed it shut. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me, Ms. St. Clair." Her tone was as calm as a hypnotist's,  but anger blazed in her dark brown eyes. "I want to know exactly what's  going on between you and my son. Are you friends with benefits, sex  buddies or a true couple?"

"With all due respect, Mrs. Morretti, our relationship is none of your business."

"You're wrong," she argued, propping a hand on her wide, full hip. "Your  relationship with my son is my business. Rafael's my firstborn, and I  won't let you or that Cicely woman play games with his heart."

"I'm nothing like that conniving gold digger-" Paris broke off when she  realized she'd spoken her thoughts out loud. "I apologize. I shouldn't  have said that."

To her surprise, Mrs. Morretti smiled, and her face brightened.

"Don't be," she said with a wink. "I was thinking the exact same thing!"

They both laughed, and the tension in the air lifted.

"Your son means the world to me, and I'd never do anything to hurt him."  Spotting Rafael on the stage, Paris felt a heady rush of adrenaline and  desire. He looked drop-dead sexy in his crisp, sky-blue shirt and white  dress pants, and when their eyes met through the crowd her heart did  the rumba in her chest. "Rafael is an incredible person, and I'm glad we  reunited in Venice, because he's truly one in a million."

Mrs. Morretti dabbed at her eyes with her fingertips. "I was hoping  you'd say that. My son adores you, and I'm glad you feel the same way."

"I do. I've loved Rafael since I was nineteen years old, and I always will."

"Welcome to the Morretti family!" Vivica threw her arms around Paris and  squeezed tightly. "I think you're going to make a wonderful addition to  our family, and I'm thrilled that my son found love with a strong woman  just like his mama!"

"That's it?" Paris joked. "I was worried you were going to grill me for hours."

Vivica laughed and flapped a bejeweled hand in the air. "There's no  need. I've already done three background checks on you, and you passed  with flying colors!"

Rafael wasn't kidding about his mom being a gutsy spitfire, Paris thought, laughing.

A hush fell over the dining room, and the music faded to the background.

"At this time, I'd like to call my beautiful girlfriend, Paris St. Clair, to the stage."

Paris glanced over her shoulder, and gave Rafael a questioning look.  What's going on? Why is he calling me to the stage? she wondered,  resting her empty glass on the buffet table and smoothing a hand over  the front of her purple, one-shoulder dress.

Paris felt hands pushing her forward, toward the small, raised stage,  and laughed when Rafael's father, Arturo, appeared at her side and  hustled her through the dining room. Deciding to play the role of  dutiful girlfriend, she climbed the stairs and took the arm Rafael  offered.

"I asked Paris to join me because I have a special announcement to make...." he said.

Me, too, she thought, concealing a smile. And I have a feeling you're  going to be thrilled! It's the most wonderful surprise ever, and I can't  wait to share my good news!

"The first time I saw you at the U of W cafeteria, I knew you were the  only woman for me." Rafael gripped the microphone with one hand and  caressed her cheek with the other. "I let you get away fifteen years  ago, but I won't let it happen again. Reuniting with you in Venice was  an act of divine intervention, and I feel fortunate to be given a second  chance at true love...."

Paris heard a gasp fall from her mouth. Her vision blurred with unshed  tears, and the room spun around her. She watched Rafael drop to one  knee, and goose bumps pricked her clammy skin. Unspeakable joy consumed  her, flowed like a river through her heart and soul. Rafael was her one  true love, and the only man who'd ever really accepted her. He  encouraged her to be herself, cheered her accomplishments and proved his  unconditional love and support every single day.                       
       
           



       

"I love you, angel eyes, and I want to spend the rest of my life with  you." Rafael reached into his pocket, took out a massive,  diamond-encrusted ring and held it at the base of the fourth finger on  her left hand. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes! Of course! Just say when!" Paris shouted, unable to contain her  excitement. They shared a sweet kiss, one that made her heart sing. Her  gaze fell to the canary-yellow, oval-shaped stunner on her left hand,  and Paris decided it was the most beautiful piece of jewelry she had  ever seen. "I love my engagement ring, Rafael but I love you even more."

Cheers, applause and whistles rose from the crowd. Light bulbs flashed,  noisemakers rang out and the dimly lit dining room became boisterous and  festive.

"I love you, baby. Thanks for making me the happiest man alive."

"You're welcome, and thanks for the gigantic rock!" she joked, admiring her ring.

Holding her tight, he peppered her face with kisses and tenderly stroked  her hips. "We better stop before your father comes up here and beats me  to a pulp. He gave me his blessing this afternoon when I met him for  drinks at his hotel, but I don't want to get on his bad side..."

Rafael's words confused her, but in the crowd, just a few feet away, she  spotted her family. Her dad smiled, Oliver winked and Kennedy burst  into tears. Her brother-in-law flashed a thumbs-up, and Paris laughed  when her nieces and nephews cheered and waved frantically. Cassandra and  Stefano were standing behind her father, and seeing her best friend  made Paris squeal for joy. All the people she loved and adored were in  the same room, and she had her sexy new fiancé to thank. "I can't  believe this," she gushed, blown away for the second time in minutes.  "How did you pull this off without me knowing?"