Page 88 of Coming Home to Sturcombe Bay
He wanted that — the connection with one woman who would always be there beside him. Like his parents, like Luke and Julia, like Cassie’s parents. He had had it with Natalie — could he have it again? With Cassie? Was there a chance that she might change her mind, and stay?
The progress of the bride and groom was slow to the front step where the white Beauford was waiting, decked out with balloons and tin cans, and rude messages scrawled on the windows in shaving cream.
Tom hooted with laughter at the sight of it. “Did you do that?” he asked Liam.
“I’m saying nothing!” He slapped his friend warmly on the shoulder. “Cheerio, mate. Have a good trip.”
“I will.” He put his hand in his pocket. “We’ve cleared out the room, but I forgot to give this back. Drop it off at the desk for me, would you?”
“Sure.” Liam took the key card and put it in his own pocket.
Bubbles were blown, drifting on the warm evening air, then the car drove off amid cheers and waving, and at last everyone went back inside. The music started up again, but when Liamglanced around for Cassie, she had already been claimed for a dance by a cousin of Vicky’s.
“Come on, Liam.” His sister-in-law caught his arm and tugged him onto the crowded floor. He conceded with an easy smile as the DJ began to play a lively song, perfect for a jive.
He liked dancing with Julia. She moved easily, following his lead and laughing as she spun out and back. But forced to pay attention to swinging her around without tipping her over, he lost sight of Cassie. When the song ended and he glanced around she was nowhere in sight.
A small stab of panic clenched in his gut. Surely she hadn’t gone home already? If she was planning to go back to Australia soon, he may not even get a chance to speak to her before she left.
Dammit, he couldn’t deny it any longer — he was in love with her.
* * *
It had grown dark outside. Cassie wandered over to the stone balustrade to gaze out over the bay. The moon was almost full, the stars were bright points against the velvet darkness, the sea an inky black.
The tide was high, the waves lapping with a soft hush right up to the rocks below, mingling with the sound of music from the ballroom behind her and the distant jangling of the amusement arcade down on the Esplanade. Further along, the pub windows glowed orange. When the door opened, the sounds of music and laughter spilled out, carrying on the warm evening breeze.
Across the bay, the line of Cliff Road was traced with street lights. Near the top she could see her house — there was a light on in her parent’s bedroom. Beyond, a few lights up on the caravan site showed that people up there were still awake.
As she stood there, breathing in the soft, salt-tanged air, she became aware of someone behind her. She didn’t need to turn to know who it was.
“Nice night,” he remarked.
“It is.”
“Not dancing?” He moved to stand beside her — it felt as if there was some kind of forcefield between them, like static electricity.
“Just having a break.”
“You haven’t danced with me.”
She turned her head to glance up at him. “You haven’t asked me.”
“I’m asking now.” He smiled down at her, that beguiling smile that she had always remembered, even when she had been on the other side of the world. “Will you dance with me?”
She didn’t answer. She couldn’t. She just slid into his arms, closing her eyes and letting him move her to the music. It was a classic soul number that she had always loved.
Out here with Liam, on the terrace in the moonlight, with the music spilling from the ballroom and the soft whisper of the waves at the bottom of the cliff . . . it felt as if this was where she had always belonged.
Oh lord, she was in love with him. She really was. In truth, she had been for all these years. How could she ever have denied it?
His breath was warm against her hair, then she felt his mouth brush over her temple, her trembling eyelids. Something was tightening in the pit of her stomach. He was going to kiss her . . .
His mouth met hers, his lips warm, tender, coaxing hers apart, his tongue sliding sensuously between them, seeking the sweet depths within. Time slid away as the stars turnedoverhead. She was curving her body against his, vividly aware of the rising need in him which matched her own.
Tenderness was forgotten. The heat in his kiss was fuelling the heat in her blood, and she could feel the ragged drag of his breathing, the rapid beat of his heart. His hands had tangled in her hair, but there was no need for him to hold her captive — she had been his captive since that summer ten long years ago.
Maybe it was moments, maybe it was hours before he lifted his head. Gazing up into his eyes she read the question there. There could be only one answer.
