By Request Collection 1. Jackie Braun

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      ‘And you think because you tell me you love me.’ she hitched in a breath as she said the words and tightened her grip on the railing ‘… I’ll give up all I’ve worked towards for you?’

      ‘No.’ His gaze reached out to her, holding her captive as he walked towards her. ‘I’m going to stay here, in Mooloolaba, because here is where you are.’

      What little breath she had left rushed out. She sucked in more salt-laden air. ‘What happened to feeling the sea breeze in your face and dropping anchor wherever you please?’

      ‘I thought that’s what I wanted. But now I know I want you more.’ He pushed a hand through his hair. ‘For God’s sake, Lissa, put me out of this hell I’m in and say yes. Tell me you love me back. Tell me what we had wasn’t just a fling.’

      She looked up at him, his face taut in the spill of light. She’d never seen such raw vulnerability in his face before. She’d never seen his expression so. open. ‘I do love you,’ she said softly. ‘I always have and I always will. You were the one who always talked about leaving. And you were the one who called it a fling.’

      ‘I heard you talking to Jared.’

      Oh. And she felt a small smile touch her lips momentarily. ‘Don’t you know not to eavesdrop on private conversations?’

      ‘Lissa …’

      ‘It was never a fling, not to me. No, don’t touch me.’ She stepped away from his outstretched hand. ‘Not yet. I want to know what made you come back.’

      The haunted look she’d seen so often flickered behind his eyes. ‘I realised I wanted to live before they bury me.’

      ‘Torque …’

      He nodded.

      Then he didn’t give her time to move. He gathered her up into his arms and held her close so she could hear his heart beating solidly beneath her ear. And she wanted to stay there in his safe and solid embrace for ever. He tucked her head beneath his chin and she knew he was looking out over the horizon.

      ‘I felt his soul leave his body, Lissa, as I dragged him across the sand. I still hear the gunfire sometimes.’

      ‘The nightmares …’ Lissa whispered. ‘You still have them.’

      ‘Not as often.’ He took a deep breath, stroked her hair. ‘He was only eighteen. Thousands of miles from home. He’d barely begun to live and he was dead already.’

      ‘I know.’ She curled her hand against his heart. ‘You need to learn to forgive yourself.’

      ‘I’m working on it. I went to visit Torque’s parents. They were so grateful there was someone with him when he passed. That he didn’t suffer. It’s helped. Both them and me.’

      She nodded. ‘I’m glad.’

      He was silent a moment while the breeze blew over the deck. ‘I came home to recuperate because I was looking for that familiarity I hadn’t experienced in so long.

      ‘I never expected to find you. A woman I could love. A love I can trust, a love I can give myself wholly to.’

      Tears welled in her eyes and spilled over onto his shirt. He shifted so that he could cup her head in his hands, tilt it up and look into her eyes. ‘A love that will last a lifetime.’

      Her heart swelled to bursting. ‘Blake …’

      ‘I know you have your business and that I’m no longer a part of it, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be involved in some small way, does it?’

      ‘Of course you c—’

      ‘The marina’s a few minutes’ drive away from the shop. This yacht has more comfort and luxury than you’ve ever seen. You have Maddie and her team to help out now and then so when we want a weekend away we can just take off, up the coast, or down to Surfers to visit your family. The best of both worlds. The sea and, most importantly, you.’

      Her thoughts were jumbled, spinning with the images he was conjuring with his words.

      But he wasn’t finished. He stepped back and drew something out of his pocket. He flipped the little velvet box open. ‘Are you prepared to take on this scarred sailor who’ll probably wake you up with bad dreams some nights?’

      ‘Oh … I—’

      ‘Marry me, Lissa. Live with me for the rest of our lives. Be my life’s comfort and I’ll be yours.’

      Through her tears she saw a ring with a solitary aquamarine flanked by a diamond on either side. ‘Oh … do you know how long I’ve waited to hear you ask that question?’ she whispered. ‘Fantasised where we’d be, how you’d ask? And it was never as perfect as this. And the answer is yes. A thousand times yes.’

      ‘You’re the only girl for me, Lissa. And I’ll spend my life showing you.’ He slid it onto the third finger of her left hand. ‘A stone that captures the sea and the colour of your eyes. There’s something of both of us in it.’

      ‘It’s beautiful,’ she said softly. ‘I couldn’t have chosen anything better.’ She watched it glitter in the light, then turned to him with a smile that came from the deepest corner of her heart. ‘And now. are you going to seal this deal with a kiss?’

      He smiled back and this time his amazing blue eyes were filled with sunshine and light. ‘Try stopping me.’

      And, oh, she’d missed his luscious mouth on hers. The taste of him, the scent of him as he drew her closer. Finally, he drew back and she knew it was only because they’d both run out of air.

      ‘Now I want to show you your new home.’

      He pulled his phone from his pocket. ‘Max? We won’t need your services for the rest of the night, thank you. Go home to bed.’ He disconnected with a serious gleam in his eye. ‘I intend to.’

      Then he swept her up in his arms and carried her through the living room at a rate of knots. ‘We’ll do the more detailed tour later,’ he told her, barely raising a puff. He paused at the galley’s entrance to tell Nathan he could leave, that they’d help themselves to the meal later.

      Then on through another entertainment area with wide-screen TV and concealed lighting that gave the room a pink-purple glow. Up the low polished wooden spiral staircase in the centre. Past a bathroom and its moulded spa bath with clear Perspex sides and marble vanity.

      Blake set her on her feet in front of a massive double bed with a deep indigo quilt. Finally. He had her right where he wanted her. She glanced about her. ‘I’ve got a really nice sketch that would suit this room. ‘

      He could see her studying the décor with a trained eye. ‘I think it’s really you.’

      ‘Not now, sweet cheeks.’ He touched her chin and turned it so that she was looking at him. Only him. ‘Take the night off.’ His lips roamed her face while his hands moved over the СКАЧАТЬ