Page 62 of Cocky Cruiser

Another step. He was close enough that I could smell his familiar scent, and I had to stop myself from closing my eyes and inhaling deeply. “Not want to see me?”

“No. Yes.” I groaned in annoyance. “I don’t know. You can’t just come here and expect me to forget what happened and give you another chance.”

His smile fell. “I know. I’m sorry for what I did. I was scared, and I pushed you away because I didn’t want to lose you like I lost Cara.” Another step. “But I know you feel it, too.” Grabbing my hand, he placed it over his heart, which was beating just as fast as mine.

Our eyes locked, and my resolve cracked. I swallowed the lump in my throat as he said, “I love you, Adele.”

My eyes stung with the prick of tears, and my stomach knotted. Did he just say what I think he said? “What?”

He chuckled at me, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear before tenderly cupping my face. “I love you. I’ve loved you since the day I kissed you in the ocean after pulling you off the paddleboard. I was just too stubborn to admit it.”

My chest tightened with emotion as Cohen leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. His kiss broke a barrier within me, sending my walls crashing down as tears streamed down my face.

Even though I knew I shouldn’t give in so easily, I couldn’t deny that I missed him and wanted him. I’d dreamed of that moment since we’d met, and it was finally happening.

I finally broke the kiss when my lips were stinging, and I couldn’t breathe. Gazing up at Cohen, I blinked several times in disbelief. “Is this is a dream?”

Cohen laughed, then pressed a kiss to my forehead. “If it is, then please don’t wake me.”

“I can’t believe you uprooted your life and moved all the way out here for me,” I said, searching his eyes.

“Yeah, well, you were worth it. I figured it was the only way I could make up for what I’d done.”

“What about Vegas? Your condo and your restaurants?”

He shrugged. “I sold one of the restaurants and have some good managers for the other two. And it’s easy to rent out a condo in Vegas.”

“Adele?” my brother’s voice sounded behind me.

Oh, shit.

I turned around, giving Chance what I hoped was a calming smile. “Hey, Chance. I was just about to come back to the table.”

My brother’s brows furrowed as he rolled up his sleeves, cautiously approaching us. “Who’s this?”

Shit.

He was not going to be happy.Even though family life had settled him down a bit, Chance still had a temper.“Please don’t freak out. This is Cohen.”

Chance’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets as he clenched his fists. “The wanker from the cruise?”

I put my hands up, trying to pacify him before things got out of hand. “Yes, but it’s not what you think. Just let me explain.”

Chance was no longer paying attention to me. His pace quickened as he made a beeline for Cohen. “You think you’re tough shit breaking my little sister’s heart and turning up here out of the blue?”

“Chance, stop,” I pleaded, trying to get in his path.

Chance easily darted around me and punched Cohen in the face. I lunged for my brother, wrapping my arms around him and holding him back to keep things from escalating. “Cohen, I’m so sorry.”

Cohen rubbed his jaw. “He’s right. I deserved it.”

“Damn right, you did!” Chance yelled, trying to break away from me and get to Cohen again.

“Chance, stop. Chance, look at me!” I shouted, finally getting his attention.

My brother frowned. “You’re just going to forgive this guy after what he did?”

I glanced over at Cohen, and my heart warmed. He made my stomach flutter, and I’d never been as happy as I was when I was with him. “Yeah, I am.”

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