“Leave,” I manage to whimper. “Get away from me, before anyone sees you. I’m sorry. I’m really, really fucking sorry. I just… I can’t…”
I feel the faces all around us, watching. I know how close he is, stepping forward.
“Leave!” I hiss. “Honestly, Heath, just go. Go! I’m so sorry.”
But Heath Mason shakes his head. He takes off his sunglasses, so his blue eyes lock onto mine, and tosses his cap on the floor.
He’s him.
And he’s coming towards me.
“I’m sorry,” I try again, but he tells me toshh– his beautiful eyes so warm, and that’s when the tears finally fall.
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” he says. “Everything you said is true. And I admire you for it. Ella, I admire you, full stop.”
His words thump my ribs, making my heart pang.
“I shouldn’t have done that…”
He brushes his thumb across my cheek, wiping a tear away.
“Everyoneshouldhave. Those idiots deserve every word they got, and you deserve this.”
I stiffen up as he lands his gorgeous lips on mine, because he has to be fucking crazy. He’s lost his mind, kissing me without his sunglasses on while people watch us. People who will know who he is.
Except I can’t stay stiff in his arms with his mouth on mine. I can’t fight the way I want him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders and kissing him back as my tears keep on falling.
“I’m proud of you,” he says when he pulls away. “I’m proud of everything you are, and you should be, too.”
I have no words, only the blooming feeling of raw emotion.
Love.
I flinch as I hear the pounding of feet heading in our direction, but it’s Josh, racing towards us at full pelt.
“Let’s get the fuck out of here,” he says, catching his breath. “I just threw that guy over the railings, and tripped his gobby mate up in the aisle.”
“You did what?!” My eyes widen, but his cheeky smirk shines bright.
“They fucking deserved it,” my boyfriend says. “Nobody calls my princess a trappy hooker.”
“Ourprincess,” Heath corrects him. “Good for you, Josh.”
Thank fuck there are a bank of cabs waiting at the top of the marina driveway, because my adrenaline spike eases away to nothing and leaves me like a shell.
I needhome.
The villa, with its high walls, its secluded grounds, and its beautiful silence.
And my two princes there to share it with.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
SATURDAY
Tonight, there will be no proposal.
Just us. Making love.
