A Deal Before the Altar

His reaction was so swift he didn’t have time to think. All he wanted to do was stop her from leaving, from walking out of his life for good. A life that wouldn’t be the same once she’d gone.

He reached out and took hold of her arm, propelling her back into the room, and kicked the door shut on the enquiring glances of passing staff. She looked up at him, her brown eyes wide, darkening rapidly, her breathing hard and fast. But it was the current of pure electricity between them that told him he was doing the right thing.

He didn’t want her to go. It wasn’t possession. It wasn’t power. It was more than that.

It was love.

He loved her.

This passionate woman had unlocked his heart, healed his wounds and shown him how love could be. He’d just been too stubborn to realise.

* * *

Georgina stepped back as he let her go, watching the show of emotions cross his handsome face. His pain and confusion were palpable, and she wanted to reach out to him—but to do so would be her undoing. Again she stepped back, but he moved closer until she had nowhere to go, the wall against her back.

‘This is what you do to me.’ His voice was hoarse with emotion. ‘I can’t think around you. I can’t sleep without you by my side. I can’t let you go.’

Her heart fluttered wildly and she dragged in a ragged breath. ‘Santos...?’ His name was barely a whisper from her lips.

He placed his palm on the wall above her shoulder, his face coming closer to hers, bringing him irresistibly close. Too close.

‘I want you, Georgina,’ he said huskily as he lowered his head to kiss her.

She moved sideways, away from temptation, but instantly he placed his other hand above her shoulder. Trapping her.

‘I want you with a passion so raw it almost hurts. In fact it does.’

She looked up into his dark eyes, so close now she could see how enlarged his pupils were, see the desire swirling there.

Say it, her mind urged him, but she refused to utter the words aloud. The blood rushed in her ears as her heart thumped and she bit her bottom lip hard. She would never beg anyone to say it. If he loved her he had to tell her.

‘I’ve never known this before, Georgina.’

‘What?’ she asked in a timid whisper, hardly daring to hear the answer.

‘Love.’

Her heart sang as he rubbed the pad of his thumb over her lips, easing the pain where she’d bitten into them hard.

‘I’ve never met a woman like you. From the moment you walked in here my fate was sealed. I just didn’t know it then. I couldn’t admit it—not even to myself.’

‘Can you now?’ she said in a cracked whisper.

He took her in his arms, pulled her close against him. ‘I love you, Georgina. My heart belongs to you and I never want it back.’

Her knees weakened and his arms tightened around her as he brushed his lips over hers. She pushed against his chest so she could look into his eyes. ‘I love you, Santos.’

With that he claimed her lips in a kiss so passionate it took all her breath away, leaving her light-headed.

‘Can we start again? Begin our marriage now, with honesty and love?’

As she looked up into the handsome face of the man she loved sunbeams lit up the office, casting a glow all around them. Once again the storm was over—and this time it was for good.

‘Only if it means we get another wedding night,’ she teased.

He laughed gently. ‘Now, that I can promise you, mi esposa.’

EPILOGUE

THE LEAVES WERE turning all shades of gold and brown as Georgina looked around the country cottage garden. Autumn sun cast its last lazy glow as it slid slowly behind the hill.

‘Happy anniversary,’ Santos said softly as he came to stand behind her.

He wrapped his arms around her. She leant back against him, happier than she’d ever been.

‘You’ve brought me to the country for our anniversary weekend?’ She hadn’t doubted he’d remember their first anniversary—she just hadn’t expected him to help her realise one of her dreams, even if it was only for a weekend. It would be a wonderful place to give him her gift.

‘I’ve done more than that, Georgie.’ He nuzzled her hair and then kissed her head. ‘I’ve bought you this piece of the English countryside. This place is yours.’

Georgina swivelled round in his arms and looked up at him, excitement almost exploding inside her. ‘This place? You’ve bought it?’

‘I most certainly have, and now is your chance to show me just what is so wonderful about living in the countryside.’

‘Oh, Santos, it’s perfect.’

She couldn’t believe that this cottage, with roses rambling around the front door, was all hers. He opened the door and led her inside. It had been furnished and decorated to the highest standard, just as she would have expected from Santos, but it still maintained that country charm she’d always longed for.