Betrayal of Innocence (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 1)

“Justin?”

“I purchased it,” Justin informed her matter of factly. “I am afraid it needs quite a bit of work. It hasn’t been lived in for a while, you see. Apparently, it has been occupied for many years by an old sea Captain, but he left late last year to live with his sister somewhere. Since then the property has been unoccupied.”

“You bought it?” she gasped in shock.

Justin grinned at her. “If I am honest, I don’t really like living in London much. I do it because it is where I work, and more convenient. I decided it was time for a change as well.”

“You bought the house next door to us? Here?”

“It was a choice between this one or another in the village, but I thought you might have had enough of village life for a while. At least here, you have some distance to be able to breathe without someone watching you,” Justin replied without thinking. He winced when he realised what he had said. “I am sorry.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Vanessa sighed. “I don’t want anybody to have to mind their words, or fear saying the wrong thing. Father is ri

ght. It is time we put what happened behind us and moved on. I just never expected to have you as a neighbour.”

“I have a problem, though,” Justin informed her as he unlocked the door and swung it open.

“Oh?” She frowned. “Your work for the Star Elite? Shouldn’t you be in Derbyshire by the way?”

“I have a few days off,” he whispered. “To sort a few things out. I am not much use to them at the moment anyway.”

Vanessa studied him closely. She couldn’t remember having seen the dark circles beneath his eyes before, nor could she remember him being this thin.

“What’s wrong?” she demanded, stepping closer. “Are you all right?”

“No, I am not,” he laughed. “I am far from it. I haven’t been all right since you landed in my life and turned it upside down.”

Vanessa blinked at him. “I have? How?”

Justin stepped toward her. “You made me love you. I find now that I cannot live without you.”

Vanessa physically shook with the strength of the emotion coursing through her. The intent look on his face sharpened his features and gave him a somewhat predatory air as he stepped even closer. They were nose-to-nose when he paused.

“You love me?” she gulped.

“I do,” he whispered against her lips. “I most definitely do.”

“I love you too,” she replied, her voice laden with heartfelt emotion. “If there was one thing being stuck in that crypt taught me it is that I am alive, and I should live the life I have. I cannot waste it on doubts and insecurities. I know we haven’t known each other for very long, but I believe I know you, I truly do. Geraldine rushed into marriage with Curtis because it was the farm she wanted, not the man. I want you, and only you - forever.”

“Thank God for that,” Justin breathed.

Before Vanessa could say anything else, his lips robbed her of all thought. This kiss was different to any other they had shared. There was a hint of familiarity about it, but also a promise. It was confident, full of the emotion they both felt, and drew them infinitesimally closer than ever before. This was a kiss neither of them shied away from; something they both embraced and shared with an honesty that left neither of them in any doubt their love was absolute; and a future together written in the stars.

“Will you? Will you help fix this house, and build a life with me in it, Vanessa?” he murmured when he lifted his head. “Will you marry me?”

“It is meant to be,” she replied honestly, and it was.

The End.