There was more to her expression than lifted brows. Her eyes were sparkling, her lips curled upwards at the corners in a coy smile, and there was a teasing tone in her voice. He had to stick his hands in his pockets to keep from touching her. From pulling her up against him and kissing her until time ended.
She was affecting more than just him. The space between them was practically sparking, as if lightning was about to strike. Not a dangerous bolt. More like the arrows that had struck Drake before, just bigger.
Maybe he was imagining it all, simply that love-struck. For he did love her. Loved her beyond all else.
He couldn’t stop the smile that lifted his lips, as his entire being filled with happiness. Now that he understood just how precious love was, he couldn’t contain it and wanted nothing more than to share it with her. He was ready to do that. ‘That would depend on the passenger,’ he replied.
Meridith lifted her chin, searching his face with her eyes. ‘I see.’
‘What do you see?’ Before allowing her to answer, he said, ‘Because I’d like to tell you what I see.’
‘What do you see?’ she asked, and bit her bottom lip.
‘I see the woman who changed my life,’ Drake said, his throat thickening with emotion. ‘The woman who made me look inside myself and admit that I was wrong. Wrong about so many things. And a fool for believing that I never wanted to get married. I had decided that a few years after I’d decided to be happy. When I was thirteen. My aunt had died, and I’d heard people talking about how she had burdened herself raising an orphan, referring to me.’
Compassion filled Meridith’s eyes. ‘Oh, Drake, you were just a child.’
‘With childish thoughts that I carried with me for years. Until I met you. And then I was scared.’
‘Scared?’ She tilted her head to one side. ‘Why?’
‘Because love is what I had been running away from my entire life. I didn’t understand that. My aunt was the only person I can remember saying that she loved me. I didn’t ever want to be a burden to someone again. So, I claimed the sea was calling to me and I left. I stayed away for years, never understanding that what I had run away from was inside me, and not something that I could escape.’ Knowing, or at least hoping, that Meridith, and only she, would understand and not think it was ridiculous, he continued, ‘And then I met Hugo. He cracked the seal I’d put around my heart, because he needed me, and I needed him. I didn’t realise any of that at the time. Not until I met you, and you…’ He shook his head. ‘You ripped the seal off my heart and tossed it out to sea. I had no idea how strong, how incredible and extraordinary loving someone could be. It truly is glorious, and I’m no longer afraid. I love you, Meridith. Love you with all my heart and soul.’
A single tear slipped from the corner of Meridith’s eye as she lifted her arms and looped them around his neck. ‘I love you, too, Drake. And I agree. Love is incredible, extraordinary, and the most glorious thing ever.’
He’d been right about the lightning bolt earlier, because what struck him now was much larger than an arrow. It didn’t just hit his heart. It smote his entire being, releasing all the love he’d been keeping locked up for years. His arms encircled her, and he crushed his lips against hers in a passionate, nearly uncontrollable kiss.
Her immediate response was just as enthusiastic, and she led the kiss to the next level by parting her lips and boldly slipping her tongue into his mouth. He loved everything about her, including her never-flagging spirit.
She had changed his life in so many ways and made him excited about the future in ways he’d never known existed. It wasas if they’d both been caged birds, and now had been set free to soar. Soar together.
Meridith had never felt more victorious. Not in her heart, her mind, or her body. Drake loved her! Loved her! The knowledge encouraged her to become even more brazen. As their kissing—a total, wonderful onslaught of lips and tongues merging, twisting, and teasing—continued, she pressed her body up against Drake’s.
He let out a low groan, and she released a matching one that came from deep inside her. Feeling the solid and muscular length of him was beyond thrilling, and invoked desires that she welcomed. Her breasts tingled at the connection, and lower, a swirling heat made parts of her quiver with delight.
Their kissing and touching paused only briefly when they sucked in air, and then continued again, unabashed, as if they were both releasing all the passion they’d kept contained prior to this very moment.
Meridith certainly was releasing everything that had been pent up inside her, and considering all she now knew for certain, she wasn’t the tiniest bit embarrassed about the depth and breadth of her unbridled lust. This was the man she wanted to marry, to love and cherish, for the rest of her life.
He interrupted their kissing long enough to whisper, ‘I’ve missed you. Missed you so very much.’
‘Not as much as I’ve missed you,’ she replied against his parted lips.
‘Mm-hm,’ he mumbled as he pressed his lips against hers.
The merging of their lips this time was a slower, tender kissing session. It conveyed a precious affection that made Meridith’s heart well with her love for him.
He cupped her face with both hands as the kiss ended and stared at her with eyes filled with benevolence. ‘I regret, and am so sorry for, not realising the truth sooner. Sorry for the pain my selfishness has caused you. I have no right to ask for your forgiveness, but if you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I swear that I’ll spend the rest of my life loving you.’
‘My darling,’ she uttered softly, her heart full of love and compassion. ‘You didn’t hurt me. You were honest with me from the start. So honest and trustworthy, and kind and caring, that I fell in love with you. I tried not to, but it was impossible. Even though I knew that wasn’t what you wanted.’
‘Your love is what I want,’ he whispered. ‘For the rest of my life.’
‘You have it,’ she replied. ‘I’ll love you until the end of eternity.’
‘I have no title, no social standing, no vast lands, or kingdoms. In truth, I’m little more than a rake, and even that is more self-proclaimed than actual, but I swear to you, I’m reformed, and I have more than enough wealth to provide you with a life where you’ll never experience scarcity. If you would have me, my greatest honour would be for you to be my wife. Will you marry me, Meridith Downs?’
Dear Lord in heaven, when you made this man, you broke the mold, for there has never been, nor ever will be anotherone like him, Merdith thought with deep reverence. And I will thank you each and every day for giving him to me.
