Nine Months to Redeem Him

Afterward, he drew me close, holding me in his arms. He kissed my sweaty temple. “I never want to let you go.”

“So don’t,” I whispered. My body felt illuminated, glowing with happiness. I pressed my cheek against the warmth of his bare skin, glorying in the feel of his arm wrapped snugly around me in bed.

“Let’s go to Las Vegas,” he said suddenly.

Blinking, I lifted my head to look at him. “You want to elope?”

I thought I saw a shadow cross his eyes. Then he gave me a lazy smile. “I don’t want to give you the chance to change your mind.”

“I won’t.” I looked down at my engagement ring. “Though this thing is so heavy, I feel lopsided. What is it, ten carats?”

He grinned. “Twenty.”

“What! I think you might have overdone it!”

“I’ll get you a ring for your other hand. Then it won’t be a problem.” He stroked my cheek. “Just say you’ll run away with me tomorrow.”

It sounded like a dream. But... I bit my lip. “Without my family?”

He gave a low laugh. “I should have known you wouldn’t like that thought. Bring Howard with us, then. And whomever else you want. Plenty of room on the jet.” He stroked his jaw ruefully. “Though I’m still waiting for him to hit me on the jaw.”

I snorted. “Howard would never go through with it. He loves you too much now.” Then my smile faded. “Madison is coming home tonight....”

“From Mongolia? Is it the first time you’ve seen her since Penryth Hall?”

“Yeah. I need to try to work things out.” I sighed. Rising to my feet, I started to pull on my clothes.

“Don’t go.” He held out his arm. “Stay with me tonight.”

I looked at him longingly, then shook my head. “I need to talk to Madison. But then...” I looked at him. “If she forgives me for breaking up her engagement, and Howard can come, then...”

“Then?” he said, his voice filled with rising hope.

I smiled at him. I felt so happy, there were tears in my eyes. “Then I’ll elope with you in the morning.”

With an intake of breath, he rose to his feet. Taking me in his arms, he kissed me softly. “Go home. See your family tonight.” He gave me a smile that was brighter than the sun. “And I’ll see you tomorrow.”

It felt so good in his arms, so warm, so right. It felt—like home. I bit my lip, suddenly reluctant to leave. “On second thought, maybe I could stay here tonight. I’ll see Madison tomorrow....”

With a low laugh, he shook his head. “No. Go. Talk to them. Then we can start our new lives tomorrow.” Drawing back, Edward looked thoughtful. “Anyway, I think there’s something else I need to do tonight.”

I frowned. “What?”

“Just something,” he said evasively.

“Bachelor party?” I half joked. He didn’t even crack a smile.

“It’s nothing.” Turning away, he pulled on his jeans. His face was hidden in shadow. “Just one last thing I want to do before I say my marriage vows.”

“Oh?” I stared at him, waiting for him to explain.

He suddenly wouldn’t meet my gaze. “I’ll walk you out.”

A moment later, I backed my car down the small driveway of the Malibu cottage, and soon eased onto the Pacific Coast Highway. As I looked out at the moonlight flickering over the Pacific, in the flashes of flat beach between the tightly packed million-dollar houses clinging to the strip of shore, I’d suddenly felt I’d never been so happy. Or so terrified.

Because I loved him.

He’d never once said he loved me.

I gripped the steering wheel. It’ll be fine, I told myself. Edward didn’t need to love me. We could still be happy together. Friends. Parents. Lovers. Partners.