Page 154 of The Best Thing He Never Wanted

“How long do I get to keep you?” she asked, smiling up at him.

“We’ll have to see about that.”

She nodded. She really shouldn’t be greedy. He was here, and she intended to make the most of every single moment.

Then something occurred to her. “How on earth did you get here so quickly?”

He lifted one shoulder. “The jet.”

“Of course. The jet.”

His hand moved over her hair before his expression sobered again. “What did the police have to say?”

“Oh.” She made a small face. “We’ll get to that. Honestly, Blane, it’s nothing. Or rather, it’s nothing sinister. I feel rather guilty that you’ve crossed an ocean for me when it turns out there’s an explanation.”

His gaze sharpened. “What explanation?”

She reached up and touched his cheek. “I’ll tell you. But first, no matter how guilty I feel, I need you to know that I’m absolutely thrilled you’re here.”

“Yeah,” he said softly. “Me too.”

Then he leaned down, and she rose onto her tiptoes to meet him. Her hands came up around the back of his neck without waiting for her permission. Blane held her close against his very large, very broad chest, and she lost herself in that kiss. Disappeared into that warm little bubble that they seemed to create around themselves when they were together.

She felt guilty that he’d come, was already dreading that he’d have to leave again, but in this moment, none of that mattered.

~ ~ ~

It was only when he had her in his arms again that the full force of how much he’d missed her settled deep in Blane’s chest. The last time he’d kissed her, at the airport all those weeks ago, he’d hoped the kiss had somehow told her what he couldn’t put into words—that even though he wasn’t saying he was coming back, he hoped like hell he would. This time there was no room to wonder what the kiss might tell her. He was too lost in what it was telling him. He had his arms around her again. Her soft, sweet body was pressed up against his own and, damn him, he didn’t ever want to let her go again.

When he finally lifted his head, he leaned back but didn’t loosen his hold on her, and he loved the way she still clung to him. Her eyes seemed to sparkle as she looked into his, her cheeks were a little flushed, and her breath was coming fast, matching his own.

He trailed his fingers down her cheek. “And you’re okay?”

She nodded happily. “I’m wonderful now that you’re here.”

“Yeah, but you know what I mean, Bea. You’re all right?”

“I am.”

He ran his hand over her hair, then kept hold of her shoulders as he stepped back, needing to take in that she was really here in front of him. She was in one piece and she was safe. As he let his gaze travel over her, desire—need for her—coursed through his veins. The little shiver she gave told him she felt the same way, but there’d be time for that. Right now, he just needed to know she was all right.

She brought her hands up to cover his where they rested on her shoulders. “I can’t believe you’re really here, darling.”

He chuckled. “You’d better believe it, darlin’. And if you don’t, I’ll see what I can do about convincing you.”

Her eyebrows lifted.

He chuckled again. “Later. But first, I need you to tell me what went on. You said it was nothing sinister, but…”

Her smile faded. “Honestly, I really don’t think it’s anything to worry about.” She rose up to press a kiss to his lips. “But you’re right. I’m sorry I worried you, and now that you’ve come all this way, I really should explain.” She looked around. “But let’s not do it at the bottom of the stairs. Have you eaten? Would you like a drink? We could take something outside and…”

He caught her hand. “I don’t need anything except to know you’re all right. Let’s go sit.”

He led her out to the stone bench at the edge of the terrace, the place where they’d sat so many mornings drinking coffee and so many evenings watching the sun go down. He sat, and as she lowered herself beside him, he snagged an arm around her waist and pulled her onto his lap.

“Oh.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I like this.”

He held her a little closer. “Yeah, I do too. And after all this time, I need you right here.”