Exotic Nights

Pleasure washed through her as she heard and saw his support. He believed in her and how she loved him for it and suddenly nothing else mattered. She’d take whatever he had, for however long, it would be enough—because she loved him.

‘Don’t look at me like that,’ he suddenly begged. ‘I’m not kissing you again until I’ve said what I have to say.’

She leaned that little closer into him and he groaned.

‘I’m coming on tour with you.’ He blurted the words out.

‘What?’ She jerked upright again.

‘I’m coming with you. Sorry if that’s not what you want, but that’s what’s happening.’ He spoke even faster. ‘I’m not spending another night apart from you.’ He bent his head. ‘Ever.’

She gasped at the rush of exhilaration. This kiss was even hungrier and more desperate than the one at the theatre. They clung, fierce, fevered. But again slowly, reluctantly, he drew back. He gripped her hands, stopping their frantic exploration, making her listen.

‘I can work with my laptop and mobile. I’ll have to fly to meetings every now and then, but I’ll be back for the night. Every night.’

She couldn’t stop the smile spreading as the glow inside grew stronger, becoming a solid flame of joy. ‘OK.’

‘And another thing,’ he continued after another crazy kiss, his hands failing to stop their own exploration this time, ‘the next family wedding you’re going to is your own.’

‘I thought you didn’t believe in marriage.’ She gaped. ‘That it wasn’t worth the paper it was written on.’

‘You remember every stupid thing I’ve ever said, don’t you?’ he asked ruefully.

‘Some of it wasn’t so stupid.’ He’d changed her life, made her see everything so much clearer. And now her whole body seemed to be singing.

‘I want to marry you,’ he said softly. ‘I’ll never want anyone but you. But I need you to tell me if you’re not happy and I’ve not noticed.’

‘You’ll notice,’ she assured him. ‘You notice more about me than I do myself.’

‘But if I’m buried in work …’ He stopped, then almost whispered, ‘I don’t want to fail you.’

‘You won’t.’ She raised her hand to his cheek, gently smiling. ‘And if you do, I can always send you an email.’

‘You’d do that?’ He chuckled. ‘For me?’

‘I’d do anything for you,’ she quietly admitted, knowing he already knew that.

His arms tightened. ‘I never thought I could love anyone the way I love you.’ At last she saw the vulnerability in his eyes as he wholly opened up. ‘I want to be everything for you.’

‘You already are.’

He shook his head. ‘I want to do everything with you. I want to give you everything.’ He drew in a shaky breath. ‘I want you to have our children, Bella. I want your children.’

At that she closed her burning eyes tight, pressed them hard against his jacket again. ‘Me too,’ she said, and then drew a deep breath. ‘But maybe not for a while? I want to make the business work first.’ And she wanted to have some time just with him, to broaden their foundations before they had their family.

‘OK. You just say the word. When you’re ready, I’ll be ready.’

He was going to be there for her, for everything.

She reached up, pulled him down for her kiss and walked backwards, leading him to her tiny bedroom. He glanced around and she melted at the mix of relief and desire in his face. Her legs stumbled and he scooped her up.

‘Do me a favour.’ He lifted his mouth from hers for a moment.

‘Anything.’ She pulled it back to her.

‘When we get home, can you put on that bridesmaid’s dress?’

She paused then. ‘It’s hideous.’