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Why had he run out on her when they needed to discuss this like two normal people?
He needed time; she understood. But he'd barely spoken more than two syllables since she'd dropped her bombshell and that didn't bode well.
Bombshell? She'd detonated their relationship clean out of the water; first, with the news that gaining the promotion meant she’d be leaving, then with her follow-up declaration she'd give up her dream job to be with her dream man.
Was she crazy?
Yeah, crazy about a bad-boy billionaire with molten-toffee eyes and a smile that made her clench with desire.
She headed for the window where she could waste another half-hour staring at the killer view without really seeing it, but stopped when she heard the door open and swung around in time to see Nick burst into their suite, his hair dishevelled, his expression wild.
'Are you okay?'
His grin had a hint of maniacal. 'I am now.'
‘You are you’re okay? You look a little unhinged.'
He crossed the room in two seconds flat, swept her into his arms, and crushed his mouth to hers, effectively silencing her, annihilating the need to talk with a frantic, hungry kiss that wiped every sane thought from her mind let alone the questions that had plagued her for the last few hours.
After an exquisite eternity they came up for air and she clung to him, needing a steady anchor for her boneless legs. He'd always had the ability to turn her into a quivering, love-struck girl, but she wasn't a naïve young woman anymore.
She needed more than a ride on the back of his bike and a roll in the plantation's hay.
She needed a guy willing to accept her for who she was.
She needed him.
'I've been doing some thinking.'
'I figured, considering you tore out of here like a cane burnout was sparking at your heels.'
'Sorry about that. I needed space.’ He grimaced and released her to drag a hand through his hair. ‘You know I need time out when things get tough.'
'Tough? You ain't seen nothing yet.'
She smiled, while her stomach twisted with nerves. She wanted to shake the truth out of Nick, wanted him to tell her exactly what he was thinking and put her out of her misery once and for all.
'You should take the job.'
Disappointment ripped through her, the pain of losing him again cleaving her heart in two. She'd made the pitch of her life—and failed.
'But only if we work out a way to spend at least six months of the year together. It's going to be hard enough letting my wife out of my sight for that long as it is.'
Her gaze flew to his, seeking some hidden meaning behind his words, not daring to believe her dream could still become a reality.
'Are you saying—?'
'I'm saying this marriage is as real as it gets, Red.'
She let out an ear-splitting squeal as he picked her up and swung her around until she was breathless and laughing and crying all at the same time.
'Hey, don't do that.'
His tenderness in swiping her tears away only made them fall faster and he bundled her into his arms, stroking her hair as she burrowed into her favourite place in the world, inhaling the pure ambrosia of fresh air, ocean, and Nick.
She couldn't get enough of him and the thought they had a lifetime together ahead made her lightheaded with joy. 'About this marriage, we should—‘
Her phone vibrated against her thigh and she fumbled for it, switching it off with a flick.
