by Maya Banks
“I-I came as quickly as I could,” she stammered out. “I made a mistake, Ridge.”
Her words hummed sweetly in his ears, words he had dreamed of her saying. Truly, he was losing his mind. She simply could not be standing here in front of him.
India watched as Ridge blinked in confusion and continued to stare at her. God, was she too late? Would he not forgive her?
“I should not have let you leave without me,” she continued on. “I left the city right after you did, but when I reached the gate, you had already left. By the time I reached San Sebastian, you were four days ahead of me.”
His brow crinkled in confusion. “Four days? It’s been six months!”
She clenched her teeth in frustration. “I couldn’t hire a ship immediately. I had to wait, and then we were delayed at sea by a series of storms. I feared I would never reach England at that rate.”
She shook her head, not wanting to discuss her travels. It wasn’t what she had come to do. So she took a deep breath and laid her heart at his feet. “Ridge, I love you. More than anything I want a life with you. If you’ll have me.” She trailed off, looking intently at him, willing him to take her in his arms and shout that yes he would have her.
But he said nothing. In fact, he didn’t move. He continued to stare at her as if she weren’t there at all.
“Ridge,” a feminine voice rang out.
India whipped around, dread in her heart at the familiar voice. Lucinda Hadley hurried forward, her hands wringing delicately in front of her. She was perfection from the top of her head to the tips of her toes, and India had never felt grungier than she did at this moment.
Her heart sank when she turned back to Ridge and found him smiling at Lucinda.
“Oh Ridge, tell me I didn’t miss your speech,” Lucinda said in a slightly breathless voice.
India’s heart sank. Her shoulders slumped. He didn’t want her.
“Excuse me,” she mumbled. “I didn’t mean to bother you.” She turned and all but ran from the building.
“Ridge, was that India Ashton?” Lucinda exclaimed.
Her question startled him from stupor. He shook his head and his gaze settled on Lucinda. “You mean you saw her? I didn’t imagine her?”
Lucinda stared at him as if he were completely senseless.
“Of course I saw her. She was standing right there.” Lucinda gestured to the space in front of Ridge.
“Really, Ridge, what on earth is the matter with you. Did you argue with her?”
He opened his mouth then shut it. Oh dear God. She had been here. He hadn’t lost his mind. But he might very well have lost India. He groaned aloud.
“Go after her,” Lucinda prompted, shoving at him with her gloved hands. “I can’t believe you just stood there.” She shook her head reproachfully.
“Thank God you came,” he said and kissed the top of her head. He bolted through the door, looking frantically around for any sign of India.
He saw her walking at a fast pace down the street, and he broke into a run.
“India! India!” Dear God, let her stop.
She did and slowly turned around as he came to a halt in front of her. Not giving her any chance to react, he yanked her to him, holding her against him as tightly as he could. He tilted his head down and hammered his lips to hers.
He kissed her deeply, passionately, nothing gentle in his touch. He absorbed her, drank her, devoured her with every bit of his heart and soul. He felt tears, her tears, or maybe they were his. It mattered little. She was here in his arms.
He yanked away but held onto her still. “Have you? Woman, I’ll never let you out of my sight again.”
India’s face dissolved into a breathtaking smile. It was as if the sun appeared for the first time after a long hard winter.
“Oh Ridge. I was so afraid.”
His hands traveled up and down her body. He needed to reassure himself that she was still here. God, he loved her. He never thought he’d see her again, and that she was here was almost too much for him to absorb.
“You won’t leave me again,” he whispered, drawing her into his arms once more. She felt so incredibly good, and for the first time in six months, he felt truly alive.
“No, I won’t leave you again,” she agreed, her voice muffled by his chest.
She drew away and turned troubled eyes on him. The kind of expression that sent his heart plummeting to his toes. “What of Lucinda?”
He relaxed and smiled. “What of her?”
“I thought back there...that is I wondered...”
“You thought and wondered wrong. There is only one woman in my life. One love. And that is you, India. Marry me. Say you’ll marry me, have my children, and live with me until we’re old, wrinkled and gray.”
Her beautiful smoky eyes filled with tears. “Yes, oh yes, Ridge. I’ll marry you. I love you so very much.”
He caught her up in his arms and twirled around and around, uncaring of who saw or gaped at the odd sight on London’s streets.
She was home. She was his. Nothing else mattered. Love was the best and sweetest adventure life had to offer, and damn if he wasn’t going to enjoy every single day of it.
About The Author
Maya Banks is a #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author across multiple genres including contemporary romance, erotic romance, romantic suspense and Scottish historical romances. She lives in Texas with her husband, three children and assortment of cats. When not writing, she enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with her family. A southern girl born and bred, Maya loves life below the Mason Dixon, and more importantly, loves bringing southern characters and settings to life in her stories.
For up-to-date news on book releases, visit Maya’s website or Facebook page.
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