Temptation on Ocean Drive - Jennifer Probst Page 0,111
water, then dropping the bottle beside him. “This isn’t the romantic way I wanted things to go down,” he said, still fighting for breath. “I wasn’t supposed to be a half-dead, sweaty mess when I make my big declaration.”
Her heart thundered. She dropped into the seat next to him, scared to ask but more scared not to ask. “Did you read it?”
“Yes. Just now. I was trying to ignore the whole thing and refused to read it, assuming it was the original feature. Then I ran into Devon, and she told me about it.”
“Devon?”
“Yeah. Needless to say, I was shocked.”
She bit her lip. “Shocked good? Or shocked bad?”
Suddenly, he turned, and there was no barrier between them. His dark eyes gleamed with a steady warmth and a searching question. “Shocked good. Sweetheart, you sure know how to get a man’s attention. But did you really mean what you said?”
Hope sprouted. With trembling hands, she reached out. “Yes, all of it. Gabe, I’m so sorry. Sorry about the way I treated you and let my own fears drive me to believe others instead of you. I realize so many things now—how afraid I was about everything. Afraid I’d lose you like Matt. Afraid of living a life I wanted in case it clashed with anyone’s judgment or might open me up to another heartbreak. I thought I wanted a safe existence, but I was never really living. Not until you.
“Losing you was losing a part of my heart. You pushed me to be more, want more, and love more. You are a man who deserves a woman who sees your heart and kindness and strength and never doubts you. And though I don’t deserve it, I’m asking you for forgiveness.” She blinked back the sting of tears. “I’m not afraid anymore. I’m ready to stand by your side, fight for you, treasure you, and make you happy. I’m asking for another chance to love you the way you deserve. Because I do love you, Gabe. With everything I am.”
His gaze drilled into hers. For a few heart-stopping moments, he remained still. Then, he pulled her into his lap, cupped her cheeks, and kissed her.
She fell into his arms, and his kiss was like coming home. Clinging hard, she opened her mouth to his thrusting tongue and devoured him whole. Her body wept and sang for joy, as if the last piece of a puzzle had been missing and was finally found.
When he lifted his head, he was smiling. “Bella, I love you. Thank you for trusting me with your heart.”
“Thank you for taking such good care of it.”
As she stared down into his beloved face, she realized that life might not have just one happily-ever-after ending. Maybe there were many more, hidden in plain sight, but you had to pay attention.
Bella closed her eyes, leaned into her strength, and relished the unseen future.
Epilogue
“Gabe, it’s my graduation party!”
He scooped Zoe up and whirled her around while she held tight and laughed hysterically. Her Goldilocks-blonde hair was caught up in a glittery pink bow, and she wore a pink princess gown he’d found in Lynn Arden’s Children Shoppe. “You’re so grown up now, you’ll need to drive yourself to school in first grade!”
“I can’t drive yet!” she said, her face screwed up with childlike humor. “I’m too short!”
Bella grinned and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I will not even think about my daughter driving, thank you very much.”
“Not even in a very cool pink Jeep you can borrow?” he teased, tucking a wayward curl behind her ear.
“Not even then.”
“A real Barbie jeep?” Zoe asked with wide eyes. “Oh, I can’t wait to drive!”
“You will someday, sweetheart,” he said. “Now go round up your friends—it’s almost time for cake.”
Zoe tore off across the room.
Bella crossed her arms in front of her chest and gave a mock glare. “Really? A pink Jeep?”
“The Jeep may distract her from the dog. You can thank me later.” When she cocked her head in question, he led her to the window and pointed out to the front porch. A giant pink Power Wheels Jeep with a pink bow sat out front, charged up and ready to go. “I couldn’t resist. Don’t get mad.”
Her face softened, and she stroked his cheek, her gaze full of his dreams and his future. “I’m not. I just love you.”
“Even if I tell you it has a radio that’s pretty loud?”
She laughed, spinning out of his arms and shaking her head. “Even then.