THE DEAL by Marsh, Nicola (electronic reader txt) 📕

in silence and strolled towards the water’s edge. She wondered whether it was the cool night air or the warmth of his touch causing her exposed skin to break out in goosebumps. As if reading her mind, he let go of her hand and slipped out of his jacket.

“Here. Take this.”

He wrapped it around her shoulders, pulling her close.

She inhaled, allowing his intoxicating masculine scent to pervade her senses. Boy, he smelled good.

“Are you sure? Won’t you be cold?”

He slid his hands under the jacket and caressed her upper arms. “I’m sure. And no, I’m not cold. Now.”

Her heart pounded as his head lowered. One kiss. Just one. Surely that was allowed? A goodbye kiss she could remember...

As his warm lips touched hers, common sense came flooding back. What was she doing, torturing herself like this? Their deal was finished and the sooner she realised it, the better off she’d be.

She wrenched her mouth away and stepped back, eager to place as much space between them as possible. She couldn’t think when he was that close, her mind mush along with her common sense.

He held her chin and she was forced to look at him. “You have no idea how I feel, do you?”

Tired of the emotional merry-go-round and wanting to jump off, she sent a pointed look at his groin. “I have a fair idea.”

He swore and moved away. “I’m not talking about that, though don’t think I don’t want you right now. I’ve never stopped wanting you.”

Her shivering increased now he’d stepped away. For a brief moment, she wished he would hold her again. She folded her arms in a purely defensive gesture. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means I wish I’d never pushed you away all those years ago. It means I wish I hadn’t thought up that stupid deal. It means I wish...” He paused, the anguish in his eyes tearing at her.

“Go on,” she urged, hearing his words but not quite believing them.

“I wish you loved me as much as I love you.”

There, he’d said it. Matt never thought he’d say those three little words. Now, his feelings were finally out in the open and he hoped like hell it wasn’t too late.

Her response wasn’t predictable. He should have known, for there was nothing predictable about the woman he loved.

“You...you...” She flung herself at him, pounding his chest with her fists.

“Hey.” He captured her wrists and held them, staunching the fear in his heart. She hadn’t said ’I love you’ back, as he’d hoped. Instead, she’d hit him and he didn’t have the faintest idea how to respond.

“Say it again,” she whispered, her struggle ceasing.

“Which part?” He couldn’t help but tease her. She looked adorable with her strapless dress slipping precariously low, his jacket hanging off one shoulder and her elaborate hairstyle threatening to tumble at any second. Not to mention her wide-eyed shock.

“The part about how much you love me.”

A tear slid down her cheek and something inside him broke. It sure wasn’t his heart, for that had already shattered the minute he thought he’d lost her.

“I love you. Always have, always will.” He caressed her cheek, sliding his thumb along her jaw-line.

“I love you too.” She reached for him, almost frantic to feel his lips against hers.

“No strings? No deals?” He whispered, his lips trailing from her temple to her mouth.

“The only deals you’ll be making from now on are in the court room. And don’t you forget it.”

Their kiss sealed it.

Epilogue

Weddings always made Kara cry. For a businesswoman, she could be a real sap and today was no exception.

“Hurry up, darling. We’ll be late.” Sal fussed around her, tugging at the satin bustier top encrusted with crystals. “That’s better. It was riding up.”

“A bit like your blood pressure. Relax. You’re making me nervous.” As if she wasn’t nervous enough for the both of them.

Sal stood back and sniffed. “You look beautiful. Your folks would’ve been so proud.”

Kara blinked back tears. “Thanks, Sal. For everything.”

Sal dabbed at her eyes. “Don’t thank me. Thank the computer you wanted to blow up not that long ago.”

“I never said I wanted to blow it up. I just thought it’d malfunctioned.”

“I knew all along you and Matt were right for each other.” Sal paused, reaching up to kiss her cheek. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Me too. Though if we don’t get a move on, the groom will think I’ve stood him up.”

Kara almost pinched herself, not quite believing she’d associated ‘groom’ and ‘Matt’ together. Even scarier, today was her wedding day and she was marrying the man of her dreams. Life couldn’t get much better than this.

They’d chosen to keep it simple, a handful of friends and family on Matt’s yacht. Perfect.

The ride to the harbour passed in a blur as Kara focussed on her breathing in a desperate attempt to stay calm.

“Almost there,” the driver announced, pulling the limousine alongside the dock.

“Ready, darling?” Sal reached over and squeezed her hand.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” She reached into the tiny ivory handbag and wrapped her fingers around its contents. This was it.

She practically floated along the wharf, oblivious to the stares of curious onlookers, her gaze firmly focussed on the striking man in a tux standing on the bow of his yacht.

Matt stepped off the boat and held out his hand. “You look incredible.”

She swallowed, trying to dislodge the lump of emotion welling in her throat. “Thanks. So do you.”

“Only the best for my future wife.” He kissed her cheek, lingering for a moment. “I love you.”

“I love you too, though there’s one more thing we need to sort