by Nina Bruhns
"What about your trip around the world?"
"I've decided not to enter the contest. There's more adventure than I can handle right here with you."
"Hmm," he said, giving her a lazy smile. "That's unfortunate. Because I'm leaving."
Her pulse stalled. "You're what?"
"That's right, I'm booking a berth on that yacht trip."
She gaped at him. "You are?"
"Aye. You know I've wanted to go sailing for a long, long time." He winked. "Besides, I thought you'd need me to hold you up. Remember?"
She remembered. And there was nothing she'd like better. "I can't believe you'd do this for me."
"You've given me back my life, Clara. In so many ways. Write your article. Win the contest. We'll sail away together."
"You really want to?"
"Try and stop me. From now on, there'll be no more talk of pirates or spirits or curses, and most of all no more hiding away from life."
She didn't think it was possible to be so happy. Well, except for one small detail. She sent him a moue. "No more pirates?"
He tilted his head and sent her a roguish grin. "I suppose we could strike a bargain on that point."
"Oh no, you don't." She shook her head in warm anticipation. "I know all about your bargains."
"What can I say." He waggled his eyebrows. "I am a pirate."
"Has anyone ever told you you're—"
He held up a hand. "I know, I know. Impossible, unbelievable, incorrigible, unmanageable, obnoxious… Have I left anything out?"
She touched his cheek with a fingertip, tracing over every dear part of his face. "Well, I was thinking more along the lines of wonderful, handsome, intelligent, sexy…"
"Mmm," he purred low in his throat like a contented lion, "Those are much better." He kissed her, long and tender, just the way she liked. "But I'd like to add one more to the list."
"And what would that be?"
He kissed her again and looked deep into her eyes. "Married."
She blinked and her lips parted in surprise. "Married?"
"If you'll have me, Clara my love. Could you find it in your heart to marry a crazy pirate, if he promises to reform?"
Joy exploded through her. "Oh, Tyree! Being Mrs. Tyree St. James would be the very best adventure of all."
A flicker of consternation flashed over his face. "Ah. Unfortunately, there might just be one tiny problem with that."
Her heart stalled. "Oh?" She held her breath.
"The part about being Mrs. Tyree St. James. All my current papers—driver's license, passport, everything—says my name is James Tyler. I'm afraid you'll have to be Mrs. James Tyler."
With a relieved whoosh of air from her lungs, she pretended to consider. "Well, it's not nearly as romantic as Tyree St. James. But I suppose if I have no choice…"
"I'll change it back," he said. "It'll just take a month or two."
"Not necessary," she quickly said. She didn't want to wait a month. She didn't want to wait a minute.
"I also should mention, much of my fortune is gone. I gave it away, thinking I would no longer need it."
As if that mattered. "You know I don't care about your money, Tyree. It's you I love. Even poor as a church mouse and called James Tyler."
"In that case, will you marry me, Clara? Will you be my wife?"
"Yes, oh, yes I'll marry you. Of course I'll marry you!"
He gave her another slow, thorough kiss to seal the bargain.
"Strange how things work out," he murmured. "I thought Sully's curse was the worst thing ever to befall a man. But instead it has ended up giving me the greatest gift a man could receive—a bright future with the love of my heart."
"Oh, Tyree. I do love you," she whispered, knowing there was not a chance she'd ever, ever let this wonderful, amazing man go.
"I love you, too, sweeting. With all my heart."
Not a ghost of a chance.
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