AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Perfect.’ He lifted her up and she wound her legs around his waist. It was impossible to even think about letting him go. Because Gabriel, the man who could give her anything she wanted, had given her the one thing she’d thought she could never have. He’d given her his heart.
EPILOGUE
One week later
DURING THE LAST week they’d never strayed far enough from each other that Clara couldn’t reach out and touch Gabriel. They’d walked two miles to the village each day to buy food, which was cooked on the barbecue on the veranda. It was like being shipwrecked together, and being with Gabriel made it seem as if she’d been washed up in Paradise.
But it had to end sometime. Urgent business, which couldn’t be postponed, had taken Gabriel away from her today. He’d promised to miss her for every moment they were apart, and as the sun went down Clara sat on the porch, looking for the plume of dust that meant his car was approaching.
Finally he came. Smiling as he walked towards her, and taking her in his arms for a hug so tight that they might have been separated for much longer than a day.
‘I’ve got some champagne in the car. Chilling...’
‘That sounds wonderful. You didn’t get that in the village, did you?’
‘I stopped at a wine bar thirty miles along the coast. They were good enough to throw in some ice and a bucket along with the champagne. I drove as quickly as I could.’
‘I’d better get some glasses, then.’ Clara laughed, running up the steps to the veranda and into the kitchen. Champagne on the beach, at sunset, with the man she loved sounded perfect. Even if it was drunk from a couple of tumblers that didn’t match.
Gabriel poured the champagne, and they strolled arm in arm down to the water’s edge, kicking off their shoes and walking in the surf.
‘So how was your day? Did you get everything you wanted to do done?’
‘Not quite.’ He frowned, suddenly uncertain. That wasn’t like Gabriel at all...
He bent down, propping the champagne bottle upright in the sand. Then he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, his brow creasing with anxiety.
Clara reached up and kissed him. ‘What is it? Do we have to go home?’
‘Not yet.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Would you marry me, Clara?’
That was the last thing she was expecting him to say. And they’d talked about this already. She’d told him that his love was the only reassurance that she needed.
‘Gabriel...no.’ Her throat seemed to close, as if her heart was trying to stop the words from getting out. ‘If this is your way of showing me that you won’t leave, it’s not necessary. I don’t want you to feel under any pressure to rush into anything.’
The look in his eyes silenced Clara. It was the Gabriel she knew, the one who knew what he wanted and would reach for it despite the risk. He fell to one knee in front of her, holding her hands between his.
‘I messed that up. Call it beginner’s nerves. I’m going to give it another go... Clara Holt, I know you love me and I love you too. The only thing that could possibly make me happier than I am now is if you’ll agree to marry me.’
This was real. Clara reached for him, trying to pull him close, but he stayed stubbornly on his knees. ‘Yes, Gabriel. I’ll marry you, of course I will.’ She fell into his arms, kissing him as the surf washed around them.
‘I have a ring...’ He reached into his pocket.
‘Is that what you were doing today? I thought you had business with your father’s company.’
He shook his head, grinning. ‘I said urgent business. I don’t believe I ever mentioned my father’s company. And this is extremely urgent.’
When Clara held out her hand, it was shaking. He kissed her finger, before carefully sliding the ring onto it. A single, square-cut diamond flashed in the dying rays of the sun.
‘It’s beautiful, Gabriel. Thank you so much, for everything. For coming here to find me and for loving me and asking me to marry you...’ Tears welled in Clara’s eyes.
‘I should be thanking you. For being the love of my life, and for saying yes.’
* * *
Sleep could wait. They’d danced on the beach together to the soft music of the waves, moonlight guiding their way back to the house. Making plans and making love until the sun rose.
‘When?’ Gabriel had already asked where and Clara had suggested Italy.
