Claiming His Wedding Night

‘They did. But they never stayed for more than a couple of weeks. It got better as I got older.’ His eyes met hers. ‘I got better at managing them.’

She swallowed. ‘Is that why you went back to Miami?’

He looked away. ‘Yes. They can charm their way out of most situations. But sometimes, like last night, when they’ve gone too far and someone’s threatening to call the police, I have to step in.’ Smiling dully, he shrugged. ‘It’s irritating, but it’s just easier and a lot less time-consuming if I sort it out.’

‘And why did you leave? Tonight.’

She held her breath, sensing it was one question too many, but finally he turned to face her and the bleakness in his eyes almost broke her.

‘I’d had enough,’ he said quietly. ‘Of their games. With them, it’s always a game. I just don’t want to play any more.’

He fell silent.

Not trusting herself to speak, Addie sat mute beside him. How could anyone survive that kind of damage? It was almost worse than what had happened to her. That had been an accident. This had been deliberate, sustained. But the outcome was the same: a shattered life, a damaged soul. And she knew exactly what it took to repair that damage. It needed acceptance and hope and patience.

And love.

Her eyes suddenly filled with tears and she closed them quickly, trying to stop them from falling, trying to block out the truth. Except she couldn’t. The truth was that she loved him—still, and so much.

And it was time for her to accept that fact.

She opened her eyes and concentrated on her breathing. But it was not the time to share it. Now she needed to keep her promise. To be there for Malachi. Without thinking

, she reached forward and slid her arms around him. After a moment’s hesitation his arms tightened around her. They held each other in silence, their hearts beating in time together, until finally Addie shifted free.

‘Come on. Let’s go to bed.’

Standing up, he glanced out of the plane’s window and frowned. A pale yellow line was already edging the dark sky. ‘I’m sorry, sweetheart, I don’t think we’re going to get much sleep. We’ll be landing in less than an hour.’

She smiled. ‘Who said anything about sleep?’

His eyes locked on to hers and for a moment, she stared at him, hypnotised by their fierce dark longing. And then he reached down and, scooping her into his arms, he began to carry her towards the staircase.

CHAPTER NINE

IT WAS LATE afternoon in Caracas. Staring out over the city from the balcony of Malachi’s suite, Addie let the straps of her camisole slip down over her shoulders to catch some sun.

Two hands slid around her waist. ‘Afternoon, sleepyhead.’

Her heart started to pound as Malachi kissed her shoulder, his lips drifting languidly down over her throat.

‘You were sleeping so deeply I thought I was going to have to wake you with a kiss,’ he murmured.

The hands round her waist were beginning to drift too, slipping under the silk camisole, circling and caressing the bare skin of her belly, then reaching up to stroke her breasts, caressing her nipples until she was shaking with desire.

Unable to stop herself, she moaned softly and she felt his body stiffen, his fingers stilling.

‘You did that earlier,’ she said hoarsely. ‘That’s why I was so tired.’

His hands were moving again, sliding slowly over skin.

‘In that case I think you should lie down right now,’ he said, and, gently he dragged her back into the suite and onto the huge bed.

Later, feeling warm and dazed, she lay beside him, watching him devour the brunch that had been delivered. As he pushed the last forkful of eggs Benedict into his mouth, she gave him a mischievous smile and started clapping.

Draining his coffee cup, he grinned, eyes gleaming. ‘I was hungry. And you want me to keep my strength up, don’t you?’

Remembering their feverish lovemaking, she felt a melting heat ripple out from somewhere deep inside. Yes, she did. Only ‘want’ seemed too feeble a word to describe how fiercely she craved him.