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‘Never?’
He shook his head. ‘Never. And then Jordana cornered me and guessed how I felt before I did and it drove me deeper into denial. I didn’t want to let you in, Lily, but of course you were already there, and I was fighting a losing battle. It wasn’t until Oliver told me how he felt about Jordana and the reasons he was marrying her that I finally realised I felt the same way about you. And I didn’t want to fight it—you—any more. I’d do anything for you, Lily, and after we’re married we’ll—
‘Married!’
‘Of course married. Where did you think this was headed, sweetheart? A picnic in the park?’
‘I…I didn’t think that far ahead. I’m still reeling from the fact that you love me.’
‘I know neither of us has had the best role models when it comes to marriage—’
‘Well, my father never actually asked my mother to marry him,’ Lily said.
Tristan nodded and cupped her face between his hands. ‘I’m not your father, Lily. I’ll never cheat on you or leave you. And I don’t believe a marriage has to be full of conflict if a couple are equally committed and willing to work through any issues together.’
Lily’s smile was tremulous. ‘You really love me?’
‘Haven’t I just said that?’
‘It just seems like a dream.’
‘It’s not. At least I hope it’s not.’
Lily sighed and let Tristan gather her close, revelling in the feel of his hands moulding to her torso and fitting her against him. She could hardly believe this was happening, and knew Jordana would be ecstatic when she found out.
Then a thought struck, and she pulled back a little to look up into his beautiful face. ‘You know I knew nothing about Jordana setting me up with Oliver’s cousins last night?’
Tristan smiled. ‘I know. I figured that out some time between the first and second bottle of Scotch I consumed last night.’
‘Oh.’ Lily laughed.
‘It’s not funny.’ He grinned back at her. ‘You were the reason I saw the bottom of both of those bottles. But I have a feeling that my sister has been playing a little reverse matchmaking between us.’
‘I did wonder about that myself…’
‘And it worked. I nearly locked you in a tower last night after she said you’d told her you were just cutting loose with me.’
‘I did say that.’
‘What?’ he asked, stunned.
‘I didn’t want her to know how deeply I had fallen for you and after overhearing how you felt. I…I have my pride, you know.’
‘I know you do.’
‘And, anyway, you don’t have a tower.’
‘I’d have built one for just that purpose,’ he growled, his hands exploring the fitted bodice of her gown with increasing fervour.
‘I love you,’ Lily sighed.
‘I never knew those three little words could sound so delicious.’
‘Oh, I’ve just remembered. I’m supposed to be flying to New York tonight. I’ll have to cancel the flight.’
‘Damned straight. But when do you have to return to New York? For work?’
‘I don’t have any films lined up until next year. I was planning to take some time off.’
