Claiming His Wedding Night

For a moment she didn’t reply and he held his breath, watching, waiting, until finally she lifted her head and sighed.

‘I don’t know what that means. But you’d better go and talk to Terry. I’m sure he’s got better things to do than stand around on your doorstep.’

He nodded and walked swiftly into the hallway. She heard the door open and a muffled conversation. Moments later, the door closed and he returned.

‘He’s gone.’ He met her gaze. ‘Do you want me to go too?’

His face was set, and yet he seemed less self-assured than usual—as though he wasn’t quite certain of her reply.

She gazed at him in silence. Was he playing with her? Or was he trying to make amends? Finally, she shook her head. ‘No. I don’t want you to go.’’

He breathed out slowly. ‘I meant what I said, sweetheart. About starting again.’

She watched in silence as, hesitantly, he reached out and touched her face.

‘I want it to be good between us here.’

She bit her lip. ‘Think about what’s happening here, Malachi. I sold myself to you.’

Shaking his head, he stroked her cheek gently. ‘Look at it this way: I can only afford you for a month.’

She gave him a tiny smile. ‘Nice try! But I know a bluff when I hear one.’

‘I’m not bluffing. You’re a Royal Flush, sweetheart.’

He watched her face shift, the hurt showing through, and feeling a spasm of panic he reached out and grabbed her hands.

‘I’m sorry. That was crass. I know you probably find this hard to believe, but not every thought I have is about poker.’ He hesitated. ‘Some are about you. Q

uite a lot, actually.’ He felt her hands stiffen and, curling his fingers more tightly, he shook his head. ‘I don’t mean those kind of thoughts. I mean about you. The person you are.’

Addie stared at him in confusion. Was this really her uber-cool husband? He looked anything but cool. In fact he looked nervous, almost as though he didn’t quite know what he was saying or doing.

She bit her lip. ‘And who am I?’

His hands tightened around hers. ‘You’re a fighter. And a dreamer. Look at how you came back stronger after your accident.

‘It stopped you from doing what you loved most but you didn’t stop. You started a charity. Most people would have given up.’

Addie eyes him wearily. ‘You wouldn’t.’

Her voice was quiet, but steadier, and he felt his heart lurch with hope. Maybe he hadn’t ruined everything between them.

‘No. It wouldn’t have made me stronger. Or kinder.’ But this wasn’t about him. It was about Addie. ‘I think you’re one of the bravest people I know, sweetheart,’ he said gently. ‘And I’m really sorry for being such a jerk.’ Tentatively, he slid his hand over her shoulder. ‘Truly. I know it’s not enough, but it’s a start, isn’t it?’ He breathed out slowly. ‘Please, can we try again? Please?’

His eyes met hers and finally she nodded mutely.

He made as though to pull her against him and then, breathing out slowly, he turned and, reaching round, picked up her clothes from the floor. ‘Here. Put these on.’

Averting his gaze, he waited until she was dressed and then slowly wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

‘Thank you.’ Gently, he kissed the top of her head. ‘And now, how about we go and take a look around this island?’

CHAPTER SEVEN

‘SO—DO YOU have anything particular you’d like to do today?’

Leaning across the table to spear a piece of pineapple from a huge platter of fresh fruit, Malachi smiled at Addie. She held her breath. He was wearing a pair of dark blue swim shorts, and his long, muscular legs were sprawled out temptingly towards her. With his face tipped up to the sun and his dark hair falling loosely across his forehead, he looked impossibly glamorous, and intensely male, his lush beauty easily rivalling the tropical perfection surrounding them.