by Faye Avalon
She touched her hand to his shoulder. “I’d twisted my ankle. It happened in the parking lot that last night we were together. I had to have it strapped up for a few weeks and I was at the hospital for my follow up appointment.”
As she spoke he wrapped his hands around her waist and held her out at arm’s length looking her up and down. “Are you okay? Do you need to sit down?”
She might have laughed if he hadn’t looked so concerned. “No. I’m fine. My ankle’s okay now.”
His fingers tightened around her waist as he blew out another breath. “Shit, Lissa. You turn me inside out.”
Off she went on that rollercoaster again. A slow ascent to hope.
“I want us to keep seeing each other.” His shuttered gaze lifted to hers. “Maybe we could stop the divorce papers going through. Hold off for a while. Start again.”
Her heart stopped, then thumped to a heavy staccato beat. “Start again?”
He gripped her hands and kissed her knuckles so tenderly her eyes misted. “I need you.”
Hearing him say the words, seeing the determination in his eyes, Lissa wanted to fall into his arms and tell him, yes, she needed him, too. But she wouldn’t live with the possibility of losing him again when her past intruded once more. “It’s not that simple.”
“Because you think I can’t let go of what happened?”
As her throat tightened, she nodded.
“You’re wrong. Okay, I’ve got some work ahead of me, but these past weeks without you made me realize I don’t give a shit about Ethan, Marco, or the man in the fucking moon.” He gripped her hands. “All that matters is us, Lissa. You and me. Right now. Here and now.”
“Reed—”
“I don’t expect you to believe me, not after the way I’ve acted. But give me a chance. Give us a chance.” He wrapped his fingers around her upper arms and drew her closer, his eyes pleading as much as his words. “That last time we were together? With Jack? There was no excuse for the way I treated you and I’m so damn sorry, Lissa.”
Her throat felt too full to say anything, so she nodded again.
“According to Jack, I should have my balls sliced for the way I acted,” Reed said thickly. “He said I deserved for you to dump me and not look back.”
Because he seemed so disconsolate, Lissa trembled a smile. “He’s probably right. About the dumping part, not the sliced balls.”
Reed stilled. “You’ve got every right to whip me to Christmas for how I treated you.”
His solemn expression fractured the last of her reticence. “I might, but you’d probably like it too much.”
She smiled again, but still he stared at her. “The way I took you. I wanted to brand you somehow, make it so that no other man would go near you. I was angry and if I hurt you—”
Lissa touched a finger to his lips, halting his words. “You didn’t. I was as angry and I wanted it as much as you. I won’t let you take all the blame.”
Turing her hand, he pressed a kiss to her palm. “There was no excuse for treating you that way. For making you feel like anything but the amazing woman you are.”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. The action was so tender, so loving that her throat thickened with unshed tears.
His mouth touched hers, so softly, tentatively that her head swam a little with the tenderness of it. As his arms came around her, she turned her head and leaned into his chest. Breathing in his warmth, his unique scent, she felt something settle deep within her.
“How are you going to feel when we bump into Ethan and Marco?” she asked gently. “It’s going to happen, so I need to know you won’t completely freak out.”
He tilted her chin with his forefinger and thumb until she was looking up at him. “I may freak out, but not completely.” When she frowned, he grinned. “When we do the bumping into thing, I’ll remind myself how damn miserable I felt without you. How you’re the most important person in my life and how much I need you.” His gaze bored deep into hers. “I love you, Lissa.”
The air caught in her lungs as her chest grew tight. “What?”
“So bloody much I can’t think straight.”
She was scared to even breathe, afraid that even the slightest movement would break the magic. Afraid that anything she did or said would shoot her back to consciousness to find she’d been hallucinating or having some kind of fevered daydream.
His mouth touched hers again, gentle at first, then growing more eager as she returned his fervor. The muted chatter from the bar, the occasional rumble of a car’s engine, the night sounds from the nearby woods all faded into nothingness as she drowned in Reed’s kiss.
When they came up for air, Lissa let the last fragment of her defenses melt away. “I love you too, Reed. I can’t seem to help it.”
Seemingly unwilling to stop kissing her, Reed drew her tighter against him. “You’ll never have cause to regret it,” he whispered against her mouth. “I’ll make certain of that.”
His determined kiss gave weight to his words, and Lissa let herself sink into his embrace until she became aware of several couples leaving the bar and car engines starting up.
“Reed?”
He nibbled at her neck. “Hmm?”
“I want you to promise me something.”
“Okay. I promise never to beat either of them over the head with a hammer.”
Easing away from him, she frowned then laughed. “That’s good to know, but it’s not that.”
“Then what?” He drew her back toward him, his arms tight around her waist. “Tell me what you need.”
She curled her arms around his neck. “Promise that you’ll stop calling me princess.”
After long moments, during which he stared at her, he laughed and lifted her off her feet. “That might be difficult, seeing as how I love it when your eyes flash hazel fire at me when I do.”
“Something tells me they’ll flash often enough regardless of what name you call me.”
He laughed again and eased her down to her feet. “Okay. Agreed. But if I forget, you have my permission to punish me in whatever way you see fit.”
They grinned at each other, then still holding her with one arm around her waist, Reed reached into his pocket and pulled out a familiar small box. “I think this is yours.”
Her heart thumping wildly, Lissa opened the box and stared at her diamond ring. She looked up at Reed and her insides glowed at the smile in his eyes. “It’s so beautiful. I always thought it was so beautiful.”
“Not a patch on the woman who wears it. Want to put it on?”
She’d barely nodded when he took the ring from the box and reached for her hand.
The ring felt perfect on her finger, unlike the first time he’d slipped it on when her world had pitched out of orbit. Now it tilted back again, and everything settled into perfect balance.
And as Lissa sank into Reed’s kiss again, she knew that was how it would stay.
Epilogue
Six Months Later
“We’re hideously late.” Lissa stopped outside the entrance to Papa Niko’s where a large notice declared ‘private party’ and smoothed down her skirt. She glanced up at Reed and reached for his hand. “Thank you for today.”
“You already thanked me.” He grinned as he slipped his arm around her waist. “Which is why we’re hideously late.”
He pulled her in for a kiss, and she smiled against his lips as his hand slid down to grab her ass. “You promised me you’d behave.”
“Surely I can be forgiven for wanting some up-close time with my wife, especially since Beth and Marco decided to hold their engagement party on the very same day we renewed our wedding vows.”
With some regret, she placed her hand over his and eased it away from her backside. “I suppose it’s our fault for keeping our plans quiet. Marco only proposed to Beth last week.”
“Even so.”
Reed tried to slip his hand around her again, but she stepped back. “I’ll
reward you again later, seeing as you went above and beyond your duty as a nephew-in-law today. She really loved it.”
“And I really love her. I’m pretty fond of her niece come to that.”
Lissa stroked the diamond wedding band Reed had given her that morning. “Do you think she knew what was happening?”
“The vicar was probably a give away.”
She touched her lips to his. “It was perfect, Reed.”
The simple ceremony to renew their vows at the pretty church attended by Jack, her aunt, and a handful of close friends had been wonderful. Reed had exchanged her diamond ring for a circle of smaller diamonds, and in return she had slipped a plain gold band onto his finger. Then he’d arranged for the wedding party to enjoy lunch on a chartered yacht, which sailed majestically along the calm waters of the south coast as they ate.
Her aunt had looked so pretty in her favorite blue suit. When they’d collected her from the nursing home early that morning, Reed had pinned a corsage of aquilegia, her aunt’s favorite flower, to her lapel and received a flirtatious smile in return. Her aunt had taken to Reed the instant they met six months ago, and since then the two people Lissa loved most in all the world had become firm friends.
It always surprised Lissa how vital her aunt seemed to be whenever Reed was around. He never missed an opportunity to lavish his aunt-in-law with affection, flowers, and lunches out every week. Sometimes he took them all to a fancy restaurant, but often they enjoyed a simple dish at the fish diner on the seafront, when her aunt would smile broadly as if remembering other times she’d visited with Lissa in the past.
“I’ve got some great shots of you both,” Lissa said, unable to resist slipping her arms around Reed’s neck. “There’s a gorgeous one where you’re standing at the railing and showing her something out at sea. I’m going to have that framed. Which reminds me, you need to sign off on those proofs for the hotel so I can get them developed and framed for the opening. Do you still want them displayed in the foyer?”
“No business talk on our wedding day,” he reprimanded with a soft tap to her nose. “Or rather our renewal-of-wedding-vows day.”
“My, the heavens may just open and suck us into oblivion, Reed. Did I hear you right? No business talk?”
He narrowed his eyes in mock threat. “Shaky ground, sweetheart. Especially with what I have planned for our wedding night, phase two.”
She grinned up at him. “Is it anything like our wedding night, phase one?”
He shook his head. “No mirrors this time, although there may be implements.”
She gave a low hum in her throat. “Sounds…enticing.”
His eyebrows drew together and he tilted his head toward the bar. “Do we have to stay long?”
“A couple of hours should do it, especially if there are implements waiting for us at home.” She glanced toward the entrance door. “We shouldn’t say anything about renewing our vows this morning.”
“Why not?”
“It’s Marco and Beth’s night. I don’t want to steal their limelight in any way.”
“My amazing wife,” he said seriously as he drew her tight against him. “You were trying not to steal another couple’s limelight the first time I met you, remember?”
How could she ever forget? The moment had changed her life. “This time I don’t have to hide behind trees.”
“And I don’t have to pretend that I don’t want to strip you naked and have my way with you.”
“Seems we both got lucky.” She met his kiss, indulged herself by tweaking his ass the same way he did hers, then drew away. “We should go in.”
He returned her smile, then pushed the door open.
The noise was deafening inside Papa Niko’s; music blaring, people chattering, glasses clinking. Across the room, Beth and Marco stood with their arms around each other as another couple admired Beth’s engagement ring.
“Hey, guys.” Lissa turned as Ethan and Amber walked up to them, Ethan taking the opportunity to snag two extra flutes of champagne from a passing waiter. “You’re late.”
“Things to do,” Reed said as he took the flutes Ethan offered and handed one to Lissa with a wink.
“What’s this?” Lissa almost spilled her drink as Amber grabbed her left hand. “When did you do it?”
“Do what?” Lissa’s cheeks heated as Amber continued to stare at her new wedding ring. “You already know we’re married.”
“For which I have still to forgive you, seeing as we were never invited.” Amber’s sharp green eyes turned to slits as she looked between Lissa and Reed. “You’ve done it, haven’t you?”
Lissa glanced at Reed whose mouth tugged up at the corners. “We’ve been rumbled, sweetheart.”
“Am I missing something?” Ethan asked his wife as Lissa continued to stall in the hope Amber would let them off the hook. She really didn’t want any fuss, especially not during Marco and Beth’s party.
“Only that they went ahead and renewed their vows without telling us.” Amber shook her head, then pushed gently at Reed’s arm. “Well, if you think that will get you off the hook as far as throwing a party is concerned, you’re very much mistaken.”
“Planning one as we speak,” Reed said with a smile. “It’s all in hand.”
“It had better be.” Her frown turned into a smile and she grabbed first Lissa and then Reed for a hug. “Oh, congratulations, you two. Everyone will be thrilled for you.”
Ethan stepped forward and drew Lissa into an embrace. Over his shoulder she looked at Reed, who gave her a knowing smile and a sexy wink.
For the past six months, Reed had gone out of his way to prove that he meant everything he’d said that night when he’d first told her he loved her. He’d continued to do business with both Ethan and Marco. He and Lissa had accepted, and reciprocated, supper invites from both couples; they’d attended various functions where they all sat together and enjoyed themselves.
Her mind slipped back briefly to that first awkward gathering, when it had taken Amber to suggest that while they were all aware of the past, it was time for them all to move on and enjoy life. Without a word, Reed had stood and walked out into Amber’s kitchen. As Lissa died a thousand deaths, her heart dropping to her knees, Reed came back in with a bottle of wine and proceeded to top up everyone’s glass. He suggested they toast the future and the wonderful women they had found to share it with.
“We don’t want to say anything,” Lissa said as she watched Ethan congratulate Reed with a firm handshake. “This is Marco and Beth’s—”
“Oh no you don’t. You don’t get to always worry about everyone else’s feelings and ignore your own. This is cause for celebration. Ethan, get Marco and Beth.”
“No.” Lissa touched her hand to Amber’s as Ethan strolled off. “Really, I don’t want to make a fuss.”
“Well, tough. Because a fuss is what you’re going to get.”
Lissa looked at Reed, who raised his eyebrows in a gesture of ‘nothing to do with me’ before taking a swig of champagne.
Beth came bustling over, followed closely by Marco, and mirrored what Amber had done by grabbing Lissa’s hand. “I can’t believe you weren’t going to say anything. Oh, it’s so beautiful and goes lovely with your other diamond.”
Surrendering to the certainty that neither Amber or Beth were about to let her news pass by unacknowledged, she reached for Beth’s left hand. “Let me see yours.”
As the women continued oh-ing and ah-ing over rings, Reed stood with Ethan and Marco and watched. “You needn’t think you’re getting away without throwing some kind of party, buddy,” Marco said with a nudge to Reed’s elbow. “Once those three get together there’ll be no escape.”
“Like I said, all in hand.” Reed turned to Marco and extended his hand. “Congratulations on your engagement.”
“Thanks.” Marco continued to clasp Reed’s hand. “Congratulations on your marriage.”
Reed nodded and the three men stepped back to survey
the women who had now moved on to admiring each other’s shoes.
“They make some picture,” Ethan said as he sipped his drink.
“Best ever.” Marco saluted the women with his glass.
“No argument from me.” Reed slipped one hand in his pocket and touched his thumbnail to the wedding band he wore. He’d never felt so damn happy in his life.
As he grinned to himself, Lissa came over and slipped her arm through his. “What are you smiling at?”
He glanced down at her. He’d never imagined it was possible for a man’s heart to swell so large and still remain contained in his chest, or hold so much inside it that it didn’t burst. “Looking at my beautiful wife has that effect on me.”
“Good answer. Want to dance with your beautiful wife?”
“Only if it’s a slow dance and I get to hold you close.”
She gave that low throaty laugh that never failed to set his pulse racing. “I remember the last time we slow danced. We couldn’t leave the dance floor for the best part of fifteen minutes. Remember?”
“I remember, as does my cock, which is currently wondering what time we can leave.”
She laughed again and squeezed his arm. “I think the newly engaged couple will excuse us if we slip away early. Seeing as it’s our wedding night, phase two.”
“Now you’re talking my language. Let’s go.”
“Not yet.” She pulled him back as he pretended to head out, and tapped his hand in admonishment. “We have to enjoy ourselves, mingle for a while.”
He leaned down and brushed his lips against her temple. “You’re the only person I want to mingle with.”
“Same here.” She turned slightly and touched her mouth to his. “I love you, Reed.”
“I love you, sweetheart.” He kissed her until the tempo of the music changed to something slow and smoochy. “How about we hit that dance floor? I’ll do my best not to disgrace myself this time.”
He linked their fingers and led her onto the small square area that had rapidly filled with swaying couples. Reed wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. As Lissa wrapped her arms around his neck and pushed herself tight against him, he groaned.
