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He caught her, stepping back a little from the powerful impact of her in full iron armor, and sank into her scent—the sun, the sea, and her. She was in his arms, strong and warm, soft and silky.
“Andor,” she whispered next to his ear, warming his skin.
He crushed her to himself, afraid if he let her go she would run away again or dissolve into thin air. Then she leaned back a little and their eyes met.
“It is truly you,” he said.
“It is truly me. I found you.”
He sank in her beautiful eyes, so bright, and sparkling like the waters of a summer sea.
And then he kissed her. He kissed her as though he could not do otherwise, as though he could not take his next breath, as though his heart could not continue to beat if he didn’t.
The kiss was gentle and hungry at the same time. The softness of these lips, the silkiness of this tongue, the taste of this mouth. She moaned slightly as he dug his fingers into her hair with one hand and pressed her against him with the other.
She leaned back again and met his gaze, her eyes shiny. “Okay,” she whispered, “I’ll just get right to it.” She paused. “I love you, Andor. I came to say I love you. Not Brad. Not a ghost. You.”
His stomach squeezed. The world became brighter, sunnier, the colors richer. Her words reverberated within him, resonating in every bone, in every sinew.
“If you still want me to go, I’ll go,” she continued. “If you are not ready, I understand. But I let Brad go. We had a funeral, and I knew he would want me to find you. So here I am. Finding you. Staying with you forever. If you’ll have me.”
His chest burst with joy, every word she said like a healing balm, like water washing away the dust and neglect from his soul.
“Say something,” she said, looking at him steadily. “Should I go?”
Andor struggled for breath. Was he ready for this? For her love? For the happiness of a lifetime?
Cathy frowned, watching his face. “You’re silent. Should I take this as a no?” She stepped back, out of his arms. “Okay, I’ll go.”
He would not let her go even if Odin came and laid Valhalla at his feet for her. Finally, he could step into the future he craved and deserved. He caught her hand and pulled her back into his arms, pressing her against him.
“Do not dare move,” he said, and her smile sent warmth spreading through his veins.
“You don’t want me to go?”
“No.”
“You want me to stay?”
“Yes.”
She licked her lips, a playful smile on them. “Do you love me?”
He pressed his lips together to hide a smile. She looked at his lips as if enthralled and gently touched them. “You’re smiling.”
Her touch tickled his skin, and he stopped resisting. “I love you, Cathy.”
She produced the most delightful laugh.
“You had me back in Wessex, the moment I saw that bright-pink armor,” he said.
She laughed and slapped him lightly on the chest.
“Be my wife. I need a woman by my side to help me rebuild our home.”
The humor was gone from her face. “Is that the only reason you want to marry me?”
He chuckled. “Yes.”
