Rendezvous (7 page)

But then they would never have had this past week, which Cassie couldn’t bring herself to regret. She couldn’t wish away their last night together, when all the walls between them had simply fallen away, leaving two people who didn’t want to live without each other.

Cassie woke from a fitful sleep just after dawn, the truth blaring in her head like a siren. She didn’t want to live without him, and he didn’t want to live without her. She’d seen that truth in his eyes as he’d told her he’d never forget their week together, when he’d made love to her beneath a moonlit waterfall. He didn’t want a life without her any more than she wanted to go on without him.

So why was she blindly doing what Reed Dalton told her to do?

With a sudden burst of fiery determination, Cassie leapt out of bed. Unquestioning obedience wasn’t her style, a fact she was going to have to remind her stubborn husband of. She yanked on jeans and a T-shirt and stormed off the yacht without bothering to even run a brush through her hair.

She had to get back to her cousin’s house, pack a bag and book a flight to Sydney. With any luck, she’d get there before Reed signed the divorce papers. If she didn’t, she’d simply tear them up in front of him and demand he talk to her instead of shutting her out again. She’d had enough of being shut out of her husband’s heart to last a lifetime. She wasn’t accepting it anymore.

Cassie ran along the wharf, her sneakers slapping on the wood. A few of the yacht dwellers were up already, and they watched her speed by with curious stares. Cassie paid them no mind. The only thing she cared about was getting to Sydney so she could start her life over again.

She was still running full pelt when she passed Steen’s Chandlery. She was so focussed on reaching her car that she didn’t see him at first. It wasn’t until he called her name that she came to an abrupt halt and spun around.

Reed was sitting on the bench seat in front of the chandlery, wearing the same clothes he’d been dressed in yesterday and sporting a dark beard shadow that, along with the crinkled shorts and T-shirt, made him look a wreck. A rumpled and wonderful wreck.

He stood when she saw him, took a few steps toward her. “I went to the airport. I didn’t get on the plane.”

Cassie took a step forward as well, until there was only two feet separating them. She could hardly believe he was here. Her heart still raced from running, and the sight of Reed standing before her wasn’t going to make it calm its pace anytime soon. “I can see that.”

“You see, I remembered I have a lot of leave owing to me. I haven’t taken a day off in the past year because I didn’t want to spend my down time with anyone but you. I called the sarg.” He lifted the iPhone he still held in his hand. “Woke him up. Man, he was pissed. But he granted me a month off, effective immediately.”

“A whole month?” Was he saying he wanted to stay here with her for the month? What about after that?

“Yeah.” His lips tilted in a half-smile that caused Cassie’s racing heart to melt. “I was hoping we could spend some more time together. Figure this out properly. Said a lot of stuff yesterday that I’ve been kicking myself for ever since. The fact is, I don’t want to live without you, Cass. I can’t do that and have any chance of being happy.”

She’d sensed it, but hearing him say it was so much better. Speechless with gratitude, with relief, Cassie took the last step forward until they were standing chest to chest. In a flurry of movement, Reed’s arms went around her. A shaky breath stuttered out of him as he squeezed her tight.

Cassie wound her arms around his waist and breathed in his scent, revelled in the joy of being in his embrace again. Her husband. The only man she’d ever loved, or ever would love if she had anything to say about it.

“I was coming to Sydney to knock some sense into you,” Cassie said.

There was a smile in Reed’s voice. “I’ve no doubt you would have done it.”

“I was going to rip up the divorce papers. I’m sorry I ever sent them. I only did it because I didn’t think you wanted to fight for me.”

“I only said I’d sign them because I thought you deserved to be free.”

“Oh, Reed. Being without you is not a kind of freedom I’d ever want.”

“Good. Because I am going to fight for you, Cass. I’m going to fight for us.” He gathered her even closer, if that was possible. “I love you, sweetheart. I’ll do anything to make this work. I’m going to move here.”

Cassie drew back to stare at him. “You’ve always lived in Sydney. That and being a cop is what you know.”

“Living here and being a kick-ass sailor is all you knew four years ago, but you married me anyway. You changed your life for me.” He touched her face, his eyes earnest, his pledge sincere. “It’s my turn.”

“Really?” Cassie rasped.

Reed nodded. “There are jobs here—in the police force even. I’m going to get one so you can have all this.” He looked around to indicate the perfect still waters of the marina and the endless, clear-blue sky. Then he looked back at her and grinned. “And you can have me too.”

Cassie smiled. “That sounds like a dream.”

“It doesn’t have to be. It can be real. So…will you?”

“Will I agree to let you move here?”

“Agree to let me.” Reed laughed and rolled his eyes. “Who wears the pants in this relationship?”

Cassie arched a brow. “I figure we both do.”

“Well, maybe.” Reed conceded with a grin. “But I’m moving here, sweetheart. I’ve made up my mind on that. All I want to know from you is…” To Cassie’s surprise and delight, Reed got down on one knee before her, took one of her hands in his and held her gaze. His blue eyes were filled with love, such love Cassie had to cover her mouth with her hand to stop from gushing. “Will you stay married to me, Mrs Dalton?”

Cassie gave up on stifling her urge to gush. She was so full of joy and excitement it simply had to come out. She leaned down and started covering Reed’s face with kisses, giggling and crying. “Yes!” she said. “Absolutely, yes.”

A new lover, an old flame, sultry moonlit nights. Why let inhibitions stand in the way?

Two years ago, Hayley Bryant left Australia on a round-the-world odyssey that changed her life, and her attitude. After that, coming face to face with the man whose rejection sent her packing shouldn’t affect her at all, right?

Except there’s one thing that hasn’t changed—her former boss Mitchell Wood makes her burn as hot as ever. The difference is, Hayley’s now a grown woman who knows how to get what she wants, and she wants Mitch. Trouble is, she hasn’t come to her friend’s wedding alone. Her very sexy friend with benefits, Ty Butler, might pose a problem.

Business was always Mitch’s first love… at least until he hired his little sister’s friend as an intern. Pushing her away was the right thing to do, but now his sister’s wedding has Hayley re-entering his life—and the empty place in his heart. Soon he’s acting less like the consummate workaholic and more like a man crazy in love. But Hayley’s “plus one” is an unexpected obstacle.

Fortunately, Mitch has never been one to shy away from a little competition…

Warning: Bilby Island’s sensual spell strikes again. Book contains hot lovin’ made in beautiful tropical surrounds, some exhibitionism, voyeurism and bondage. Best read with a margarita in hand and the fan switched to ‘high’.

Find out more at
http://bit.ly/MoonlightMirage

Despite falling in love with creative writing in her teenage years,
Sami Lee
worked a wide variety of jobs on her way to eventual publication. As a bartender she used to scrawl snatches of dialogue on the back of flyers advertising $2 drink specials. Now she types on a computer like a bonafide, professional author—but she wouldn't mind finding a bar that still sells $2 drinks. If you know of one, please email her at
[email protected]
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An author of hot, unashamedly romantic stories, Sami lives in Australia with her husband and two stupendous daughters. If that's too far away for you, visit her webhome at
www.samilee.com
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Down and Dirty

Wild Crush
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Irrepressible Jasmine

Unforgettable Summer

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Sunset Knight

Chasing Sunset

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Pleasing the Doctor

Just One Taste

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For something sweeter try

A Man like Mike

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