Samantha James (30 page)

Perhaps it was time she healed the rift with her husband.

There had been no chance to speak with Gabriel alone tonight. But there was still so much left unsaid…

A rustle nearby snared her attention. She raised
her head to find that Gabriel had just come through the connecting door between their rooms. Her heart caught painfully. Never had he been so handsome, with the candlelight flickering over the striking beauty of stark, masculine features.

Never had she loved him more.

“Gabriel, I—I have something I must say to you. I should never have doubted you. I-I don’t know how I could have thought it possible that you would harm me. For what it’s worth, I shall regret it forever…and, oh, I know I do not deserve another chance, but I must know…Do you truly want me to leave?” Unbidden, the question tumbled forth.

The tension spun out endlessly. Everything inside her was wound into a knot. It took an eternity before he answered.

His reply was so low she had to strain to hear. “If you are wise, you will, Cassie.” He paused, then said gently, “You need not worry. I will not take Jonathan from you, though it’s my hope I can still see him. And I have told you—I will provide for you—always. You will never want for a thing.”

Nothing, except you
. He might well have struck a killing blow to the heart. There was an aching lump in her throat. How she found the courage to stand her ground, she did not know.

“That’s not what I asked you.” She hated the way her voice wobbled. “Do you want me to leave, Gabriel? Do you?”

She was just standing there, her slender shoulders shaking, silent tears sliding down her cheeks. Gabriel gazed across at her pale, beautiful face, knowing full well he deserved nothing from her. He
had hurt her again, he realized…he was always hurting her…

He closed his eyes to shut out the sight of her tears. “No,” he whispered. “Though God help me, I should. It’s what’s best for you.”

“If it’s not what you want, then why must I go? Oh, please, Gabriel, just tell me what you feel. Do not tell me what you think I want to hear. Do not withhold what you think I do
not
want to hear. Just—tell me what’s in your heart.” Three tentative steps placed him within reach.

He opened his eyes then. A surge of emotion rose inside him, too powerful to contain, too powerful to deny.

“
You
are in my heart, Cassie…You as no other…only you…”

For all the softness of his tone, he was fiercely intent…Joy surged in her breast. Her eyes were suddenly shining. She placed her fingertips on his chest and gave a choked little cry.

“Gabriel—”

He threaded his fingers in her hair and tipped her head back. His gaze was exquisitely tender as it roved her features.

“I love you,” he said quietly. “You are my lady, my bride…my life.”

It was all there in his eyes, in his voice, in the touch of his hands as they drew her close. A half-sob of sheer bliss escaped. “Oh, Gabriel, I love you, too…I have for so long now! Oh, please, tell me again!” She was laughing, she was crying, and nothing had ever been so right.

“I love you,” he said against her lips.

“Again.” She begged shamelessly.

His arms tightened. “I love you…God, how I love you!” he whispered, and then it was a very long time before either of them was able to speak again.

It was much later, as the moon brightened the night sky, that Cassie recalled what Gabriel had said only a few short days ago.

“
Sometimes
,” he had whispered, “
there comes a time to forget—a time to start anew
.”

Cassie smiled.

That time was already here.