Chapter Twenty-Seven #2
She was moving before he’d finished saying her name.
She dropped the cushion covers onto the bench and hurried inside, clinging to the banister with one hand all the way down the stairs because her legs had apparently decided they were no longer entirely trustworthy.
By the time she reached the bottom of the stairs, he was already there.
She stopped dead and stared, taking in the sheer size of him, his dear, familiar, rugged face. All of him.
“Hey, darlin’.”
That word did the same thing to her it had done the very first time he said it to her in the hotel bar in London what felt like a lifetime ago; it went straight down her spine and out through the soles of her feet, leaving her insides fluttering.
“Hello, darling.”
Oh, that smile! He let his gaze travel over her and she held still, the heat shimmering in her veins even though that look was appraisal, not appreciation.
“You okay?”
She nodded, and then she couldn’t hold back any longer—she flung herself at him, his arms closing around her as she buried her face in his chest.
“What on earth are you doing here?” Tears filled her eyes as the familiar rumble of his chuckle passed from his chest into her.
She tipped her head back to look at him. “Are you laughing at me, you terrible man?”
His gorgeous gray eyes seemed to shine as he nodded. “Yeah, I’m laughing. What the hell else am I supposed to do when you’re talking into my shirt and I can’t make out a word you’re saying?”
She slapped his arm. “All right, so you may have a point.” She knew she was grinning like a fool and didn’t care in the least. “I was asking what on earth you’re doing here.”
He rolled his lips together as though he was trying not to laugh again. “Oh, I dunno. It’s Sunday, I didn’t have anything else to do, and I figured I might as well…”
She slapped his arm again. “Blane!”
“What?”
“You didn’t need to come all this way.” Her smile wobbled. “But oh my goodness, I’m so glad you did.”
She wrapped her arms around him again and held on tight, loving the feel of his big, strong arms around her. More tears pricked behind her eyes when he rested his chin on top of her head.
“I was worried about you.”
She looked up into his eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“You didn’t, darlin’.” A shadow crossed his face. “Whoever was out in your yard last night worried me.” His arms tightened around her.
“But Blane, you can’t just fly halfway across the world because there’s a man wandering around my courtyard in the middle of the night.”
His eyebrows drew together, and for the first time his smile faded. “Yeah. I didn’t know how you’d feel about me showing up. But I couldn’t not come, Bea.”
“Well, you should know how I feel—I’m so very glad you did. But I can’t simply drag you away from your life because…” She shook her head. “Because all of this is going on in mine.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You didn’t drag me away. Have you seen the size of me? You’d have a tough time dragging me anywhere.” His mouth quirked. “I came because I wanted to be here, darlin’. But if you tell me to, I’ll turn right around and—”
She slapped his arm again. “Don’t you dare even say such a thing.”
He laughed.
“How long do I get to keep you?” she asked, smiling up at him.
“We’ll have to see about that.”
She nodded. She really shouldn’t be greedy. He was here, and she intended to make the most of every single moment.
Then something occurred to her. “How on earth did you get here so quickly?”
He lifted one shoulder. “The jet.”
“Of course. The jet.”
His hand moved over her hair before his expression sobered again. “What did the police have to say?”
“Oh.” She made a small face. “We’ll get to that. Honestly, Blane, it’s nothing. Or rather, it’s nothing sinister. I feel rather guilty that you’ve crossed an ocean for me when it turns out there’s an explanation.”
His gaze sharpened. “What explanation?”
She reached up and touched his cheek. “I’ll tell you. But first, no matter how guilty I feel, I need you to know that I’m absolutely thrilled you’re here.”
“Yeah,” he said softly. “Me too.”
Then he leaned down, and she rose onto her tiptoes to meet him.
Her hands came up around the back of his neck without waiting for her permission.
Blane held her close against his very large, very broad chest, and she lost herself in that kiss.
Disappeared into that warm little bubble that they seemed to create around themselves when they were together.
She felt guilty that he’d come, was already dreading that he’d have to leave again, but in this moment, none of that mattered.
~ ~ ~
It was only when he had her in his arms again that the full force of how much he’d missed her settled deep in Blane’s chest. The last time he’d kissed her, at the airport all those weeks ago, he’d hoped the kiss had somehow told her what he couldn’t put into words—that even though he wasn’t saying he was coming back, he hoped like hell he would.
This time there was no room to wonder what the kiss might tell her.
He was too lost in what it was telling him.
He had his arms around her again. Her soft, sweet body was pressed up against his own and, damn him, he didn’t ever want to let her go again.
When he finally lifted his head, he leaned back but didn’t loosen his hold on her, and he loved the way she still clung to him. Her eyes seemed to sparkle as she looked into his, her cheeks were a little flushed, and her breath was coming fast, matching his own.
He trailed his fingers down her cheek. “And you’re okay?”
She nodded happily. “I’m wonderful now that you’re here.”
“Yeah, but you know what I mean, Bea. You’re all right?”
“I am.”
He ran his hand over her hair, then kept hold of her shoulders as he stepped back, needing to take in that she was really here in front of him.
She was in one piece and she was safe. As he let his gaze travel over her, desire—need for her—coursed through his veins.
The little shiver she gave told him she felt the same way, but there’d be time for that.
Right now, he just needed to know she was all right.
She brought her hands up to cover his where they rested on her shoulders. “I can’t believe you’re really here, darling.”
He chuckled. “You’d better believe it, darlin’. And if you don’t, I’ll see what I can do about convincing you.”
Her eyebrows lifted.
He chuckled again. “Later. But first, I need you to tell me what went on. You said it was nothing sinister, but…”
Her smile faded. “Honestly, I really don’t think it’s anything to worry about.
” She rose up to press a kiss to his lips.
“But you’re right. I’m sorry I worried you, and now that you’ve come all this way, I really should explain.
” She looked around. “But let’s not do it at the bottom of the stairs.
Have you eaten? Would you like a drink? We could take something outside and… ”
He caught her hand. “I don’t need anything except to know you’re all right. Let’s go sit.”
He led her out to the stone bench at the edge of the terrace, the place where they’d sat so many mornings drinking coffee and so many evenings watching the sun go down. He sat, and as she lowered herself beside him, he snagged an arm around her waist and pulled her onto his lap.
“Oh.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I like this.”
He held her a little closer. “Yeah, I do too. And after all this time, I need you right here.”
She rested her cheek against his. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, Blane.”
They sat like that for a few moments. It would have been easy to get lost in the feel of her, but he really needed to know what had happened.
She sat up straighter as though she sensed the change in him and let out a short sigh. “Sorry. I shouldn’t keep your security brain waiting, should I?”
He huffed out a laugh.
“Well, it turns out that the mystery man from the lane has a reason to be wandering around in the field near the shepherd’s hut.”
Blane scowled. “There’s no damn reason anyone should—”
She raised her eyebrows and rested her hand in the middle of his chest. “I’ll explain.”
He pressed his lips together, knowing damn well he should keep a lid on it and let her.