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Cordelia leans against the railing, her eyes lost in the vast expanse of ocean. I join her, close enough to feel the warmth radiating from her body. The silence between us is comfortable yet charged with unspoken words.
The sense of belonging deepens within me as we allow the silence to exist, let the sounds of the sea fill the space between us.
“This place… these people… they’ve changed me.”
Cordelia’s eyes meet mine again. “And you’ve changed us, too.”
I smile—a real one, not a calculated expression for business meetings or negotiations.
“For the first time in my life, I’m more than Basil Jenks, ruthless billionaire or strategic mastermind. I am a part of something bigger than myself.
“Your coming here… it brought out the best in all of us.”
I nod, my gaze fixed on her profile. “It did. It made me see things differently. Made me realize what’s important.”
She turns to face me, her eyes searching mine. “And what’s that?”
“You.” I say simply. “This place, these people... they matter more than any deal or acquisition.”
Her lips part slightly, surprise flickering in her eyes. I take a deep breath, my heart pounding with an unfamiliar vulnerability.
“Cordelia, I never imagined I’d find someone who makes me feel whole. I love you.”
Her breath catches, and for a moment, she’s silent. Then she steps closer, her hand finding mine. “Basil...”
I see the conflict in her eyes, but also something else—hope. His words pierce through my defenses, she must be thinking, filling me with hope.
“I love you too. I tried not to.” She looks deep into my eyes, tears brimming. “But no matter how much it hurts when you return to your life, I won’t deny the joy you’ve brought and the changes you’ve made in my life.”
Relief and joy flood through me as I pull her into an embrace. The sound of waves gently crashing against the hull is our only witness. Her body molds against mine perfectly, fitting like a missing piece.
“I’ve decided to invest in Mystic Cruises.” I lift a finger and gently capture a tear before it falls onto her cheek. “I can’t… I don’t want to leave you. And I realize you can’t leave here. You have a job, a destiny, and it’s here, not traipsing from boardroom to boardroom with me.
She pulls back slightly to look at me, eyebrows raised in surprise.
“I’m no longer interested in Mystic Cruises as a business acquisition.” I continue quickly, putting a finger on her lips before she interrupts. “I want to be part of this... world you live in. I want you in my life. And if that means I go where you are, I look forward to learning how to live on a cruise ship.”
Her eyes soften, and she places a hand on my cheek. “And what about your empire?”
“I can run a business from anywhere. But my empire means nothing if it doesn’t have purpose.” I cover her hand with mine and gently pull it away, dropping a kiss on her palm before letting go. “You give me that purpose, Cordelia”
She smiles—a genuine smile that lights up her entire face—and it takes my breath away.
“I’m making a big assumption here. And so, I have to ask now. What do you want? You have a new leadership role and it’s a big job.”
Her smile fades slightly as she looks thoughtful. “It is a big responsibility....”
We stand under the cloudless sky as the stars begin to twinkle into view. Wrapped in each other’s warmth, we consider the promise of a shared future. The dark, mysterious elements that brought us together now blend seamlessly with the romance blooming between us.
“Is it selfish of me to want it all, Basil? I did not dare consider I could have you. And now, the offer is on the table, and I want to grab it fast before you change your mind.”
“Nothing is changing my mind, love.”
She spins around, opening my jacket and inserting herself, laying her head on my chest. I pull my coat around her and we stand as one for a long moment as her shoulders heave and I hold her tight.
“Why do you cry, Cordelia? What have I done to make you cry?”
Her voice is muffled but audible. “It’s joy, Basil. I love you. The gift you’ve given me I can never repay. I stopped believing in love. Gave up on love in my life. And you gave it back to me.”
