Page 78 of Cruise in Love

It was a deep, passionate and possessive kiss. Her eyes closed, and slowly the shock and fear and panic faded. He pulled back, and her eyes met with his burning gaze.

“We belong together, Tara,” he said with conviction that left no doubt.

Her eyes stung and she wanted that to be desperately true.

“But there is danger,” she whispered. “You could get hurt because of me—”

“I’m trained to take care of myself.”

She knew that, but no one was invincible. Her father and brother were military trained too. But it didn’t stop them from being killed mercilessly.

“Look at me, Tara,” he said.

Her vision was blurred and she had to blink away the tears to look at him.

“Do you love me?” he asked.

Her heart ached seeing the vulnerability in his eyes. He was the most confident man she knew, and the fact that he was made to feel uncertain about something as important as love made her feel terrible.

“Yes,” she replied. “I love you. Desperately.”

She had never stopped loving him. It was the intensity of their love that had scared her. She didn’t think she could live with fear of anything happening to him or being able to survive if he was gone.

“Then nothing else matters,” he said. “Life is uncertain, but our love will always be certain.”

She slowly nodded, knowing he was right.

Even though she knew there was real danger to her, she didn’t feel scared for herself. It was only his safety she was worried about. And she did fear for his safety, but it wasn’t the crippling fear she had felt seven years ago. A lot of things had happened in her life to make her realize it.

Even though Dheeraj wasn’t the kind to take dangerous risks, he still died in a boat accident. Life was uncertain, no matter what.

And whatever time she possibly had remaining in her lifetime, she wanted to spend it with the man she loved.Life begins when fear ends.Roopa Motiani’s earlier words crept into her mind.

Sucking in a deep breath, she pushed the lingering fear away and looked at him.

“This is the last night of our deal,” she said. She saw his jaw clench at her words. Taking a step closer, she softly touched his hard jaw with a smile. “But the first night of our lifetime together. Make love to me, Commander Rathod.”

His eyes flashed with emotion. She let out a gasp when he swept her into his arms.

“With pleasure, Mrs. Rathod,” he growled.

With her heart bursting with happiness and anticipation for the night, she curled her hands around his neck while he carried her to their marriage bed.

CHAPTER 21

For the first time in years, Aarav felt the effects of sleep tugging his eyes.

But he kept his eyes open so he could watch Tara as she slept peacefully in his arms. Unlike the previous nights, her beautiful face held a small, content smile in her sleep.

My wife.

After ten years of longing, Tara was now his wife.

A raw, sudden fierce feeling of possessiveness gripped him. His hand tightened on her bare hip, and he once again felt the strong need to part her legs and take her until she gasped out his name and clung to him. But he controlled himself.

He had already taken her twice that night and he knew Tara was exhausted. Her mind and body needed the rest, not only to come to terms with their sudden marriage, but also to face the upcoming day.

The very thought of the upcoming day made him pull her even closer. A soft, sleepy moan of protest made him realize he was gripping her too tightly. He slowly relaxed his grip.

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