Page 61 of Cinderella and the Outback Billionaire

He laughed at that, and she flung herself into his welcoming arms, and he held her tight and buried his face in her neck. She could feel his ragged breaths against her skin and the rapid tattoo of his heart against her chest. ‘Missed you, Ari,’ he murmured. ‘You wouldn’t believe how much.’

‘I might believe it.’ She’d worked her fingers to the bone hoping that exhaustion would stop her from missing him. ‘I missed you just as much.’ She breathed out a sigh at the solid, all-encompassing strength of his embrace. ‘I want whatever future you’re imagining for us. I don’t care what it is, I just want to be there for it. With you.’

‘I want everything you have to give.’ He released her and stepped back and reached into his pocket and brought out a small velvet box. ‘This was my great-grandmother’s. I had it sent from England. You’re going to love England when we finally get there. So many gardens.’

He opened the box and held it out to her with both hands. ‘I’d get down on one knee but I’d need a cane to get back up, or you could heave me up but that’s not the effect that I’m going for. I’m vain enough to want to camouflage my failings, but I hope to hell I’m smart enough to hold onto the best thing that ever happened to me. I won’t ever turn you away again. I will be there for us. I’ll show up and do the communication work needed to offset the things I cannot see. I will never let you doubt my love for you. I’ll wear it out loud and it’ll be there for all to see.’

He looked into her eyes and she could have sworn he saw clear through to her soul. ‘Ari Cohen, I love you. Will you do me the honour of spending your life with me, marrying me, being with me for all the turns and twists ahead? I can’t promise a smooth and easy road, but I can promise that I will love, honour, and cherish you for as long as I draw breath.’

‘Yes.’ She sought his lips with hers and fed him love, make-up ruined by the tears in her eyes and the fierce tenderness of his lips. ‘Let’s do that, yes.’

Drinks flowed, music played, and the ballroom was full of people who’d dressed up and turned up to get a little Outback dust on their heels, admire a tangerine sunset that stretched on for ever, and enjoy an evening of outrageously opulent Blake hospitality.

Ari’s diamond engagement ring glittered in the lamplight as Reid introduced her to friends and business partners, rescue workers and support staff with the ease of a born people person.

No one could tell the extent of his injuries hidden beneath his expensive designer suit. No one had any inkling of the emotional journey he’d undertaken and the changes that had been wrought.

Strong man, to have recovered from such injuries.

Smart man, to have confronted his insecurities and examined them and laid them bare for his loved ones to see.

Her man.

‘You’re glowing,’ he murmured, leaning into her for a moment before straightening again.

‘Lit up like the Thames on New Year’s Eve.’

‘Have you ever been to London on New Year’s Eve?’

‘No.’

‘We’re going.’

No objections were forthcoming. Ari’s world was ever expanding, beyond her imagination, and she was ready for it. With Reid in her arms and his love to keep her safe, she was ready for whatever the future held for them. And then a willowy blonde woman walked up to them and commanded attention.

Was this the super special guest? It must be.

‘Reid Blake? Please allow me to introduce myself.’ She had a charming English accent. Crisp. Aristocratic. Wary rather than warm. ‘My name is Victoria Colby-Jones. Lady Victoria Colby-Jones. Your brother found me, after some rather unorthodox digging.’

Reid’s expression swung from shock, to disbelief, punctured by a couple of rolls of amazement, before he finally settled on a kind of kid-under-a-Christmas-tree delight. ‘Vic! You even look like me, I can tell. Only female, and shorter.’

Lady Victoria’s generous mouth firmed. ‘Quite.’

‘Look, Ari. It’s Vic!’ Ari wondered whether an elbow to the ribs would dampen his joy. ‘Vic, this is my future wife, Ari.’

Lady Victoria looked her up and down and finally pronounced judgment. ‘The pleasure is mine. Is Ari one of those hideous Australian nicknames and your given name is Ariel?’

‘No. I’m just Ari.’

‘Ah.’

Judah and Bridie joined them and formed a tight circle. Reid was quick to commandeer his brother.

‘Does she need a hug? Does she look receptive to hugging?’

Judah leaned closer to his brother, but his eyes didn’t leave his newfound half-sister’s face. She could hear every word and everyone in the small standing circle knew it. ‘No.’

‘Got it,’ said Reid as Ari took the opportunity to grind her stiletto heel into the toe of his gleaming leather shoe. ‘Darling, mind the toes,’ said Reid at his most injured. His thousand-watt smile brightened as he returned his attention to the newcomer. ‘Lady Victoria, do you waltz, by any chance?’

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