Reunited by the Tycoon's Twins

He held her eye and knew exactly why she was asking. Knew how many times people had looked at Madeleine and assumed they could know everything about her by the way that she looked. He also guessed from the confidence in her posture right now and the hint of a smile at the corner of her mouth that she knew exactly how brilliant he thought she was. If she wanted to hear it out loud then he would tell her. He didn’t want her to ever think that she had reason to doubt how he felt about her.

‘Because you’re brave. And determined. And fiercely independent. And you like my kids and we have the same taste in pizza. Because my home and my office and my life seem dull when you walk out of them. Because last night was incredible in a way that I’ve never felt before. And yes, you’re beautiful. You know I think that, but I hope you know how unimportant that is to me.’

The smile spread across her lips, upwards, to crease faint lines around her eyes.

He laughed, walking around the kitchen island, suddenly desperate to have her close. She turned on the spot, following him with her eyes as he came closer, until she had her back to the counter, leaning back on her elbows as he stopped in front of her. He could lean in now, take her lips with his and, if the previous night was anything to go by, he wouldn’t have another coherent thought until morning. But he wasn’t ready to lose his mind just yet. Not when his senses were so damn delighted with what was right in front of him. Madeleine settled into her lean against the counter and quirked an eyebrow at him. She was going to wait for him to come to her. Good. He wanted to drink her in a little. Soak in the promise and potential of this moment before they jumped in.

He rested a hand either side of her waist, trapping her against the counter, but he still didn’t lean in. Not yet. Instead he looked at her—looked inside himself at the riot of sensations that she provoked in him. But at the centre was a stillness, and he knew without having to think about it what that meant. He lifted a hand to her jaw, his thumb following the path of her cheekbone, his fingertips settling in a sensitive spot behind her ear.

‘Nice speech,’ she said, her arms lifting to rest gently on his shoulders, her gaze flicking between his eyes and his lips.

‘I’m not done yet,’ he said when his lips were just a breath away from hers. ‘I love you. And I’m going to want you for ever. I hope that’s okay with you.’

He felt rather than saw her smile.

‘I think I like the sound of that. Because I love you too, and I wasn’t planning on letting you go.’

EPILOGUE

‘BELLA! HART! GET back here!’

Madeleine sat with Jake, watching Finn and Josie chase after the twins as they headed for the garden gate, running with their cousins.

‘Still time to change your mind,’ Jake said with a smile, and Madeleine rolled her eyes.

‘Just because you want to keep him all to yourself.’

‘Are you kidding? He’ll be at mine all the time once you’re married. Anything to get away from the ball and chain.’

She hit her brother on the arm and relaxed back in her chair as she watched Finn trying to wrangle the kids back into the garden.

‘Honestly, though, sis, I’ve never seen him happier. You either. It’s good to have you back.’

She felt her eyebrows pinch as she looked at her brother. She hadn’t even realised Jake had seen how sad she’d been for so many years. And wondered, not for the first time, just what he’d been hoping for when he’d sent her to stay at Finn’s place. Stupid interfering brothers with their insight and good instincts.

‘Yeah, well, I guess he’s all right really.’

‘I should hope so,’ Finn said behind her, making her jump. ‘Otherwise I’d have to ask them to take that marquee down.’

‘And tell the two hundred guests to stay home,’ Jake added.

‘And send back the cake.’

‘Enough, you two,’ Madeleine said. ‘God, what have I done?’ She shook her head, laughing. ‘I’m not returning the cake. Fine, I’ll marry you, even though you’re really annoying. But I’m uninviting Jake.’

‘Deal,’ Finn said, leaning in for a kiss.

‘Gross.’

But Madeleine grabbed Jake’s hand before he could walk off.

‘Seriously, though, little brother. He’s a good one, and I’m not sure I would have seen it if you hadn’t dangled him in front of my nose for, you know, the last couple of decades. I love you, and I owe you.’

Jake pulled her in for a hug before holding her out at arm’s length and taking a long look at her. ‘You’re welcome. I’ll redeem my Brownie points in babysitting time. I’m just glad to see you both happy.’

Finn pulled her into his lap as they watched Jake go over to battle with the kids, all six of them, and he wrapped his arms tight around her waist.

‘Did I mention that I love you?’ Madeleine asked, turning her head to look up at Finn.