Page 74 of No Going Back

“Only time? Surely some sort of activity would be involved?”

“What do you suggest?”

Her lashes lowered, and when she looked at him again, a spike of pure lust targeted his groin.

“Whatever pleases you, Sire.”

“At any other time, what pleases me is you under my cane, kitten, but right now, I’m looking for an answer to my question.” The conversation had darted here and there, but she still owed him an answer. He didn’t think he’d ever been quite so nervous in his entire life. He braced himself, because there was no guarantee he’d get the outcome he wanted.

For long, painful seconds, she looked at him, then at the ring, then back at him. His racing heartbeat pounded in his ears, and the longer the silence stretched between them, the less hopeful he became.

Maddie gave him a nervous half-smile. “The first time around, I thought you were the best thing that ever happened to me. I became addicted to you so fast, it scared me. You scared me, but I couldn’t walk away. At first I thought it was infatuation, and it would fade as quickly as it started, but it didn’t. I was head over heels in love with you before I knew it, but before I felt confident enough to tell you, you became distant, and I retreated. Perhaps if I’d said something—”

Guy placed his finger over her lips. “Ifs and might-have-beens can’t change what happened in the past. The question is, can we build a future on what we have now? And if we can… do you want to?”

Again she looked from him to the ring and back again, then held out her left hand, palm down. “Yes. The answer to everything is yes.”

>>><<<

The ceremony went without a hitch, from the moment Ros appeared at the entrance to the function room on Guy’s arm. Although she hadn’t known the younger woman long, Maddie still felt the sting of tears.

She made a stunning bride. If her dress had looked beautiful on the hanger, it was a work of art on the woman. Maddie sneaked a tissue out of her purse, to dab away the moisture threatening to smudge her mascara. The flowers printed on Ros’ dress came in myriad shades of purple, one of which was a perfect match for Simon’s waistcoat and matching tie. The dress itself had been a perfect compromise between Ros’ determination to marry in something colourful and Simon’s wish for her to wear a more traditional colour.

And weren’t relationships all about compromise?

While everyone’s attention was on Ros and Guy, as they made their way to the front of the gathering, Maddie spared a glance for the bridegroom. Tall and proud, he stood at the front of the congregation. While the immaculate grey morning suit was tailored to fit him perfectly, not many men could carry off the purple waistcoat the way he did. His eyes shone with love for the woman who was about to become his wife. Maddie thought her heart would break with the beauty of it. She’d never seen a couple so deeply in love and unafraid to show it. And she couldn’t help but rejoice in the fact that Ros’ fears surrounding Nia Shepherd were utterly unfounded, to the extent that she’d even invited the other woman to the wedding. She’d taken a seat at the end of one of the rows towards the rear of the room. She was still alone.

Having handed the bride into the care of her groom, Guy took his place beside Maddie. When he’d told her a seat was reserved for her right there on the front row, in spite of everything Maddie had still felt like a fraud and an interloper. The remnants of those feelings evaporated when Guy took her hand. As if he picked up on her discomfort, without hesitation he mouthed two words to her.

You’re family.

And as if to prove it, he held onto her hand through the whole of the ceremony. Afterwards, however, Guy took her to one side before they joined the other guests for drinks.

“Why are you wearing your ring like that?”

A pang of guilt assailed her. She twisted the ring on her finger so the gems showed once more. “I didn’t—don’t—want it to be a distraction on Ros’ big day. People already know we’re in a relationship, but the sudden appearance of an engagement ring’ll take too much attention away from them.” She nodded in the direction of the happy couple.”

Guy closed his eyes. Maddie winced at the impatience in his sigh. “I’m sorry.” Her voice barely made it above a whisper.

“No, kitten, you’ve no need to apologise.” He kissed her hand. “My fault entirely. I was in too damn much of a hurry to tell the world you’re mine. Didn’t think about the consequences of doing it today of all days, and before the wedding as well.”

Maddie lifted her hand. Before she could conceal the stones again, Guy stopped her. “No more hiding. If anyone spots this,” he rubbed his thumb over her fingers near the ring, “and makes a fuss, I’ll take care of it.”

“Makes a fuss about what?”

At the sound of Ros’ voice they both turned. However, before they could hide Maddie’s hand or even congratulate the new Mrs. Northwood, she’d spotted the subject of their conversation.

“Oh my God, you did it! Congratulations! Maddie, I’m so happy for you!”

With Ros’ arms wrapped around her, Maddie spared a quick glance and a smile for Guy, who was watching them with undeniable satisfaction and approval. “I should be congratulating you. I’m so sorry—”

“Maddie, we just discussed this. It’s my fault, Ros—I didn’t intend to steal your thunder, but I couldn’t wait a moment longer, in case she got away from me.”

“As if that was likely to happen,” his niece scoffed with a broad grin. “I’m so pleased for both of you.”

“What’s going on here?”

Simon had also arrived, evidently in search of his new wife. As she stepped back from Maddie, he put his hands on her waist and guided her back against him.