The usually composed man dropped his guard. In a hoarse, pleading voice, he said, “If you’re not ready to be my fiancée, let’s start small. Be my girlfriend. Please stop pushing me away.”

Bianca, lips swollen from their kisses and thoughts muddled, nodded against his shoulder without hesitation.

Dave’s heart raced with excitement. He carried her easily from the table and walked into the bedroom.

He gently laid her on the large, welcoming bed. There, Bianca lay, a delicate figure ...