by Karen Aldous
She gasped. ‘What even after what I said to you?’ she glanced back to his tormenting eyes, melting her again like candle wax.
‘Yes. It hurt like hell but I can’t stop myself from loving you,’ he admitted gently touching and caressing her cheek. Then sliding his hand softly along her neck and down her arm, he held her wrist, waiting.
Lizzie was lost in thought, staring down at his hand. After some moments, she swallowed. ‘Cal, I think I’ve misunderstood you. Yes, I’m absolutely ecstatic about Anton dropping the claim and how it affects my future but I think I’ve learnt more about you today. Listening to your mother, or perhaps, knowing your mother, has given me more confidence and reassurance. And, of course, my own mother sings your praises.’ She slid her hand into his. ‘What I’m saying is I believe you and I’m sorry I doubted you. I shouldn’t have said what I did. I was so wrapped up in my world, I didn’t look beyond it. Couldn’t. Men who are drop-dead gorgeous and nice don’t usually come into my life! I do think we have something special and have thought that since the first day I met you. I’d like, particularly as you’re moving here, to get to know you better.’
Cal reached for her other hand and locked his eyes on hers whilst the last of the sun’s rays blessed both their profiles. ‘So there is absolutely nothing stopping us, trying to make it work?’ His hands ran smoothly from her wrists and up to her shoulders. Lizzie shimmied into him like warm lava. ‘You smell as beautiful as you look,’ he added, ‘I so love you Lizzie.’
‘I love you too Cal. You don’t know how much I’ve missed you,’ she said and her lips met his as he pulled her closer, pressing his lips hungrily on hers. His touch charged her skin, voltage pulsating right through her and into her every nerve ending. She wrapped herself into him like she had so often imagined, knowing that everything was ok and she was safe. And she again responded to his hot, sweet lips on hers. Slowly, tenderly, clutching her to his chest he lifted her into his arms and carried her to his room.
‘So, tell me honestly,’ she said as their bodies parted and she rested her head back on the pillow ‘Did you know I was visiting here tonight?’
‘No, scouts honour, you spooked me as much as I did you. Why what makes you think that?’ At that moment both their phones bleeped with text messages. Cal grabbed his from the floor. ‘Oh, we have an engagement party to attend next month,’ he said.
Lizzie glanced at him curiously.
‘Sophie and, Charles!’ He grinned and squeezed her.
‘That’s probably why she wanted to see me. Yay, they’re back together,’ Lizzie squealed.
‘Yep, and so are we I hope?’
‘I think we have a future Cal…vin,’ she teased.
‘So, you didn’t answer me,’ he asked stroking her face. ‘What made you think that I knew you were coming here tonight?
‘Well, you do have an uncanny knack of being one step ahead.’
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed Lizzie and Cal’s story and, of course Caroline’s. Hers was particularly difficult because, when I began the story, Caroline’s Cancer was fiction, but then, for my own mother Connie, a very active and strong woman, it became real. Unfortunately, she won’t get to read the story as we lost her in July 2013 at just 81 years old but, she will, continue to live affectionately in our hearts.
However, her strength throughout gave me the kick and impetuous I needed. It hit home, how very little time there really is and, the realisation that you never know what’s around the corner. So, at the beginning of 2012 I made it my biggest commitment to reach for my dream. I know I’ll never been the best writer in the world but at least I can die knowing I’ve tried and for now, I have the time and opportunity to improve.
So, sorry, that got depressing and I hope you found the story so much more uplifting. Cannes and the south of France are truly beautiful places which inspired Lizzie’s character and, Anton, but after having her fill of bad boys, I felt, she deserved a strong, quietly confident Cal as did, Thierry. As this is my first novel, I would welcome any thoughts about the characters or titbits of information about the book you may be interested in and, delighted if you could, please, leave a review.
Meanwhile, I shall keep on writing and hope I’ve left enough flavour in your mouth to want more.
My warmest wishes
Karen
CARINA™
ISBN: 978 1 472 09626 5
The Vineyard
Copyright © 2014 Karen Aldous
Published in Great Britain (2014)
by Carina, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited, Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
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