Novel Palace
83
He nodded,”I was so determined to ruin Bruce using his sister Jennifer too, but then I met you, and without even trying, you touched something inside of me. You made me care. Stopped me from becoming a monster, and made me start to care about more important things than revenge. Hell, I even became friends with Jennifer. She had been trying to reach out to me after the accident, but my mother and sister just weren’t ready to have her around at such a time. ”
“Oh Scott”
“When I had that accident, I was on my way to you. I wanted to tell you that I missed you. I was still running away from the way I felt about you, and I wasn’t ready to admit my feelings to myself, but I missed you… badly. And I was coming to you… to tell you…. And that’s when I…. I…. What I’m trying to say, Vivian, is that you’re an amazing woman, and I… I…”
Enough was enough. She had heard his declaration, seen the evidence of it in his eyes. Now she wanted him close-as close as a man and woman could be. “I understand what you are trying to say, Scott.” she said, “And you don’t have to say more. I’m so sorry about everything your family, especially Sara, had to go through, and I’m sorry that I didn’t see the truth. I accused you falsely….”
“How could you have known? I didn’t say anything and I should have.”
“Please Scott. Do not blame yourself. I’m glad that you are alright. And Sara too, bless her.”
“You’re the most beautiful and amazing woman I have ever met”
She smiled, “Now, are you going to spend the rest of the day paying me compliments?”
“If you want me to,” he replied.
“I can think of some better things I’d rather be doing.”
He raised his eyebrows in mock innocence. “Such as?”
“Don’t you think it’s about time you kissed me instead?”Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
“Oh, honey.” He gave a low, growling laugh of anticipation. “I have been thinking of nothing else.” He drew her into his arms and it felt like coming home as he touched his mouth to hers, brushing his lips against hers in a tantalizing rhythm. It was slow and tender and Vivian felt tears begin to prick at the back of her eyes.
“I love you, too. So just take me to bed, will you? Now,” she said shakily. “Don’t say another word. Just show me.”
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EPILOGUE
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Vivian slumped onto the sofa and wiped the back of her hand across her forehead. “If I see another cricket ball within the next five years, it will be too soon,” she said darkly.
“You’ve got a pretty good overarm,” Scott mused. “For a woman!”
A cushion went flying across the sitting room and hit him in the ear. “Ouch,” he murmured. “You’re pretty accurate as well!”
“Mess with me at your peril, McCall!”
“I wouldn’t dare.” He shot her an indulgent look. “Jamie loves you, you know.”
Vivian basked in the warm approbation in his eyes. “Well, I love him too,” she said. “Even if he does wear me out-your nephew is a very lovable child.”
“Yes,” he said thoughtfully.
Jamie and his mother, Sara had just been to spend the weekend with them at Scott’s house, and they had had a perfect weekend, he reflected. Scott put his phone on the table and frowned. Had it really been two years?
“It’s been two years, you know, honey,” he observed softly.
Her mouth softened. “I know it has. Just think, two years”
Two years bliss-of living and loving together. Vivian still kept her apartment, but these days she hardly used it as she was always with Scott.
Scott’s company had gone from strength to strength, and now Vivian worked for another company as a customer sales representative.
“Vivian” he called
She looked at him. “Mmm?”
“Come over here.”
“Why?” she questioned innocently, but the darkening of his eyes told its own story.
“Come here,” he reiterated silkily.
They were equals now, in every way which counted-but he could still be the commanding lover she had first fallen head over heels in love with.
She went to him, nestling comfortably into his lap, and sighing with pleasure as she began to play with his hair.
He kissed her gently and lingeringly on the mouth.
“God, I do love you,” he sighed.
She knew he did, he never stopped telling her, and it was as though, having rejected love for all his life, then having found it, he never took it for granted. He had embraced love with the zeal of the convert! She kissed him back.”I love you too, honey. Want to go to bed?” she whispered.
He shook his head.
“You don’t?”
He tapped the end of her nose with his fingertip in a mock-reproachful gesture.
“Not yet, my insatiable little honey!”
The fingertip strayed to her forehead, where he pushed away a stray strand of silken hair, and smiled at her tenderly.
“Will you marry me, Vivian?” he asked suddenly, knowing that he wanted to commit to her.
The romantic in her had been longing for this, too- no matter how much she told herself that things were perfect as they were. “Oh, yes, please,” she whispered, and wrapped her arms around him as tightly as if she would never let him go, until he began to gently disentangle them.
“Not right now, my love,” he said sternly. “I have something I want to give you.”
A ring, she thought happily as he disappeared out of the room, and wondered what kind of ring it would be. Knowing Scott’s exquisite taste, it could be a simple, perfect diamond-or there again, he might have gone for something rare and unusual. Emeralds and seed-pearls, say.
But when Scott returned, and presented the ring to her, Vivian blinked. Just as she’d thought. A perfect diamond ring!
“Wow!” she said. “This is so beautiful, Scott. I love it!”
He gave her a lazy smile as she stared up at him, tears pricking the backs of her eyes. “Oh Scott, I love you so much. Look how beautiful….” she said.
He held his hand out to her and she took it. “Not as beautiful as you. Come on, honey,” he said softly. “Give me a kiss… And let’s go and tell my mom and sister the good news”
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THE END
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