Chapter 21 #3
“Natalie. Sweetheart. You’re too much.”
A prickling chill set in around her heart. Maybe she’d misread everything and put too much hope and created impossible expectations.
“You give too much. So freely. And I love you.” He cradled her face. “You’re an inspiration. I knew you were tough just by your artwork. You’re so smart, working this business with your sisters in a way that empowers all of you. And your courage astounds me.”
That chill faded. He wasn’t criticizing or complaining. Gazing into his eyes, she felt completely accepted. She knew her heart would never be cold, brittle, or uncertain again. “You love me.”
He nodded. “I love you,” he repeated the words, his lips coasting over hers. Leaning back, he smiled. “Do you want to know when I fell for you?”
“Yes!” She wanted it all. She wanted to hear him tell her the moment he realized she meant something to him.
Then she could gush all about when she knew he was it for her.
The emotional security of it all astounded her.
She’d been so afraid she’d come here and get rejected.
So afraid she would hear he was leaving no matter how she felt or what she said.
“You’re a little mercenary.” His fingers tickled her ribs.
“Want me to guess?”
“You can try.”
He looked so smug. She gave it some thought, but she was confident of her answer, because the same had held true for her. “It was love at first sight,” she declared. “You couldn’t resist my charm when I was scavenging down at the marina.”
He shook his head slowly. “That’s not it.”
“Lies.” She shoved at his chest. “Then tell me.”
Laughing, he rolled backward as if she was way too powerful for him, but they were a perfect match. “That first day I was merely infatuated. I fell in love on the day you tried to hide a dead body from me. To make sure I had an ideal Hideaway welcome.”
She bit her lip. “That was awful timing.”
“Not for me,” he said. “I was chasing a case after all.”
“Hmm. Why that day?”
“It was the moment I realized your generosity wasn’t a one-time deal. That you were exactly the person you show to the world. Warm and kind and talented. Your sincerity is so rare. When I look back, that’s when I fell happily head over heels for you.”
“Would you have really left town without saying anything?” She cuddled close, resting her cheek on his chest. She loved the steady beat of his heart under her ear.
“Of course not.” His arms came around her. “I was planning on using every minute of my time off to convince you to run away with me.”
“Anywhere, Trent. I’ll follow you anywhere.”
“How about we stick with Charleston first?”
“You want to go golfing?” she teased.
“Maybe after we visit a jewelry store or two.”
She sat up. “Are you in need of new cufflinks?”
His laughter rumbled through her. “I’d rather shop for engagement rings. I don’t have your eye for design and I want to make sure we choose something you never want to take off.”
Her heart swelled. “That sounds like the first step in a perfect plan.” She was overcome for a moment with the emotion of it all. “I really was afraid to fall in love again. But you helped me see those little pieces of myself that needed to heal.”
“Those pieces make you even more incredible,” he assured her.
“I’ve had a hard time trusting myself when it comes to romantic relationships,” she said.
“There were times I was scared to hope I’d ever find…
” You. Her voice trailed off because it hadn’t been about finding just anyone to build a life with.
It had been about finding the right someone.
“And then there you were. Patient, smart, funny—”
“Sexy as hell?” he suggested, his smile widening.
“Funny,” she repeated. “Ego is not your problem, Mr. Blakely.”
“Neither is love.”
His lips found hers again and she reveled in the glory of him. Of them together. With her heart overflowing with joy, she asked, “Is it too soon to say I’m yours forever?”
“Nothing would make me happier,” he assured her.
“Even after your break?”
“Forever is just that,” he said. “I’m not worried about any of it,” he said. “If you want to stay here, close to your sisters, that’s what we’ll do. The Guardian Agency is flexible.” He brushed a thumb over her cheek. “You’re my heart, Nat. My family. My home. That’s what matters most.”
She cuddled in close, wrapped in his arms, sheltered by the security of his body and the words that rang true, straight to her soul.
Sitting on the beach, gazing out over the ocean sparkling with countless possibilities, she recognized the beginning of something beautiful.
It didn’t just tingle in her hands as if she were ready to create a new sculpture, it zinged through her entire being.
She was ready to create a new life—an incredibly beautiful life—with the partner who fit her perfectly.
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Thank you for reading Hideaway Hero!