Page 86 of King of Hearts

“My little wordsmith, I love you. I’m a jerk, a coward and a total dick. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you like you deserved. Like you earned. And especially, I’m sorry for making you feel anything less than you are. Because even though I’m not an avid reader, you are love in every single language and that’s something that will remain no matter how many edits you do, Ms. Frost.”

Rolling my eyes I let out a long breath, tilting my chin a little to look right at him.

“That quite possibly might be the lamest declaration of love I’ve ever heard and when I don’t feel so bleh, I might – probably – most definitely – will call Marlee and tell her you said that so we can laugh at you,Mr. Gloss.” I raised my chin but gripped on to his arms despite my insult. He kissed me softly and I sank into his embrace feeling a relaxation settle in my chest for the first time in what felt like forever.

Chapter Forty

Andy

Since she first let me take her hand at the airport I hadn’t stopped touching her. I could not, for the life of me, detach myself out of fear she would disappear before my very eyes. Pushing two suitcases with one hand was not an easy feat though, so when Graham came to help, I was thankful. Otherwise, leaving one behind seemed like the only plausible option.

“Good morning, Andy. Ms. Frost, it’s nice to see you again.” He looked down at the suitcases, smirking. “Are we adding a name to the building?” He questioned cheekily and I raised my brows, pressing my lips together tightly to withhold my smile.

“Graham, it’s lovely to see you again too. And no – just here for a visit.” He looked down to her bags again as the lift doors opened and then raised a brow at me.

“Yes, Graham, add her name.” I affirmed as he hit the button to close the doors.

“What, no!” Arna protested but the lift closed before she could say anything further. She turned, her face blank and I shrugged before pulling her into me and kissing her deeply until the doors opened again at the penthouse.

“Mmmmhmmm.” I mumbled against her mouth. “You said you have no apartment, so you’ll stay with me now.”

“Andy, I can’t just move in with you. I need to call Greg. Shit. I need to call Greg. And Dad and Queeny.” She whined in protest and I chuckled as we wheeled the suitcases into my apartment.

“Baby, relax. Flick has already called and explained everything to him. He said something about the same position in Sydney now that the scumbag has gone.” I clenched my teeth at the mere thought of that fucker she used to call a boss. I did my best not to think about him and all he had done to sabotage both Arna and I.

“What?” She squealed before spinning around and dropping onto my lounge. “How the hell did all of this happen?”

“Let me put these away and make us a drink so I can explain. Coffee or wine?” I asked, ensuring I never again assumed when it came to the beautiful woman sitting on my couch.

“Coffee, please.” She answered, although it was muffled under her arm which was thrown over her face. I still couldn’t believe she was here with me while the bottles of scotch I’d been using to comfort my pathetic existence for the last week, still lay empty in my bin. Those nights were the longest and loneliest of my life. Sleep proved difficult and I spent as many hours as I could at the ground, because it made for some small distraction from the emptiness of my world without her. I gave plenty of time to dissecting how less than a year ago, I walked the same streets as her with no idea she was my other half. And it was only now she was here, willing to listen and possibly give me another chance, that my world felt as though it was righting itself.

I flicked the espresso machine on and connected my phone to the internal speakers selecting an instrumental of a classic song by The Cranberries. I tried to fill the empty space over the last week with music and even that fell short.

I popped my head around the corner to double check I hadn’t imagined the previous few hours, but with a sigh of pure relief I saw she was still there. Grabbing the two warm drinks, I headed out, still not entirely believing my luck.

“So, I was thinking we could have a barbeque tonight. And we could –” I paused, smiling at a very much asleep Arna. Placing both of our coffees on the table in front of the lounge, I grabbed a blanket and draped it over her before bending down and gently kissing her forehead. The subtle, refreshing and wholesome scent of oranges permeated the air around her, and unable to be away from her for too long, I squeezed in close, sitting at the end next to her feet.

I watched the steady rise and fall of her chest, noticing the dark circles under her eyes and the lack of colour in her skin. I’d done that to her. Me and my fucking stubborn ways. And even after everything I put her through, she was here, comfortable enough to sleep so easily. I was a lucky, lucky bastard and while everything screamed I didn’t deserve her or this second chance, once I could muster the strength to move away from her, I was going to use the time to show her just how lucky I knew I was.

I threw a couple of steaks on the barbeque, delighting in the design of the outdoor kitchen which allowed a perfect view of the spa while I grilled. As the meat sizzled, I was captivated by the sight of Arna, bathed in the glow of the lights of the jacuzzi and the few candles she carefully placed around the edges. She exuded an aura of serenity in the way her delicate features were relaxed, her eyes closed as she luxuriated in the bubbling water. Christ, my balcony never looked so good.

It was fairly late to be cooking dinner but like yesterday, the day had flown by. We spent most of yesterday unpacking her belongings, after she eventually woke from her nap, and then spent the evening on the lounge watching The Fifty Shades Trilogy. I chuckled to myself at the memory of Arna telling me my punishment for allowing us to waste time by being apart, was to watch the three films in their entirety and then go to sleep with no expectations of seeing Barbara.

Shewas still upset with me yesterday apparently which again made me smile.Bloody Barbara.

I didn’t tell her how she reached for me in her sleep or how she softly spoke my name in the darkest depths of the night. That was only going to piss my woman off more, and if there was one thing I knew, it was that she held a fire second to none.

Now, the play of light and shadows danced across her skin, highlighting the graceful curve of her neck and the gentle slope of shoulders. I knew, while she appeared to be wearing nothing, she wore a strapless black bikini which I wanted to tear from her body, but I wasn’t going to push her for anything more than her presence – until she was ready. I was mesmerised by the way she surrendered to the sensation of the spa and longed to envelop myself in the warmth of the water. Anything to be in the vicinity of all that she was.

I flipped the meat and grabbed two drinks from the mini fridge adjacent to the barbeque before walking over to her. She sighed contentedly, appearing unaware that I was near, and I felt a warmth spread through my chest. She really was everything to me and I’d very nearly let her go. A thought which was as jarring as a cold shower in the dead of winter. Right now, she radiated bliss, a vision of tranquillity stirring only when the glass touched the corner near where she rested. Her face lolled to the side and she lazily grinned up at me.

“Thank you.” She said and I leant down to kiss her briefly, surprised when I felt her wet hands reach around my shoulders, deepening our connection. I inhaled sharply as I gripped the edge of the spa feeling myself harden under her touch. I was desperate to jump in, clothes and all, dinner be damned. But I knew she still wasn’t quite there, so I pulled back, placing a couple of kisses against her lips as I headed over to make sure I didn’t burn the food.

“It’s almost ready, babe.” I said as she reached for the drink and took a slow sip.

“Okay, okay. I’m getting out.” She replied, standing and stepping out of the spa, making it near impossible to concentrate on cooking.

“Christ, you should come with a warning.” I mumbled as I took the steaks and placed them in the tray to rest before we ate. One of my favourite things about her was that she clearly had no idea how bloody gorgeous she was and I continued to ogle her from behind the barbeque. She walked towards me, tying the towel tight around her body. Winter was definitely here and getting out of the warmth of the hot tub into the crisp air was not for the faint hearted.

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