humpbacks if he paid for everything else. How he knew I had a love for the animals didn’t surprise me. He literally pushed me into the next store. I looked at all the lingerie on the shelves and gave him an unimpressed expression. “Why do I need to be here if you’re saving yourself for marriage?” “Because we’re getting married today.” I stared at him. Blinked. Then collected myself. “But we’re in Paris... Aren’t you chafing at the romanticism of it all?” He laughed. “Nyet. We’ll have a traditional Russian wedding when we get home.” That was all he was going to say about this extremely crazy idea? “Ronan...” The shadows in his eyes took over. He collared my throat and pulled me in, his rough voice in my ear. “The next time I fuck you, I need to know you’re mine. And I need you tonight.” I exhaled beneath his intensity. I guessed that explained the “saving himself” spiel. Estelle’s words returned. Ronan wasn’t as simple as an ordinary repairman, but nothing else seemed to matter when he was near. I wanted him in every way I could have him. But what I wanted more was to give him what he needed. “Okay.” His eyes lit with satisfaction, then he kissed me on the lips and released me just as the salesclerk sauntered up to us. “Puis-je vous aider a trouver quelque chose?” Can I help you find something? “Quelque chose de sexy et de jaune. Et pas de soie,” Ronan said. Something sexy and yellow. And no silk. Of course Ronan spoke French. Thirty minutes later, I left with more lingerie than I could ever wear. Laden with bags, we walked down the street before Ronan forced me to stop in front of a jewelry store. “I don’t want a ring,” I said. “You’re wearing a ring,” he returned. “It doesn’t have to be a diamond. It could be another stone.” “No stone is one hundred percent conflict free.” “Why are you such a hippie?” “Why are you such a mobster?”