“Ellie,” he whispered, kissing her again. “I love you so much.” The heavy hard feel of him rekindled her passion, and she arched against him, lifting her hips to meet each of his thrusts.
Digging her fingers into the bands of muscle across his shoulders, she heard him whisper her name and tightened her hold on his neck. Her body clenched around him as she reached another shattering release. Seconds later, Clay groaned, shuddered, and gave himself up to his own powerful1elease.
Together they spiraled down. Easing her into his arms, Clay settled himself on the bunk beside her.
“Everything’s going to be all right now,” he said, more to himself than to her.
“Yes…” she said softly.
Clay was her lover, her friend, and he had found his way home to her.
He was hers as it seemed he was meant to be. But Ellie wondered what would happen when Clay’s father found out.
And she worried that Avery might find a way to ruin what they both seemed to want so badly.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
An eleven o’clock poolside brunch had been scheduled for the following morning, late enough to allow the revelers to recover from last night’s party.
Ellie arrived to find Clay already there, along with Avery and just about everyone else. She and Clay had returned to the castle a little before dawn, she to her room, he to his. From the moment they parted, she’d been assailed by doubts.
Her mind kept remembering the way they had parted before. Clay had left her alone in a London hotel room and gone off with another woman. She remembered the betrayal she had felt, the seemingly endless pain. Last night, in an emotion-filled moment, Clay had asked her to marry him, but he hadn’t mentioned it again.
They’d spent the night making love, passionately yet tenderly, stirring emotions even more intense than before. But what would happen now?
In a white linen pants suit, her hair in loose curls, the way Clay liked it, she headed outside, her heart beating a little too fast. What would he say when he saw her? How would he treat her?
Spotting him on the pool deck, she summoned a tentative smile. Clay saw her, and his return smile she was so bright and so full of pleasure it made emotion twisted her heart. In beige gabardine slacks, alligator shoes, and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, he looked impossibly handsome.
Clay picked up a crystal flute filled with orange juice and champagne and tapped it lightly with a silver spoon. In seconds, the ringing began to quiet the crowd.
Clay’s deep voice did the rest. “Excuse me, everyone. Could I please have your attention?” All eyes turned in his direction as Clay strode across the terrace to her side. She felt the warmth of his hand at her waist and the reassuring sweetness of his smile, and some of her nervousness faded.
“First, I’d like to thank my friends, those of you who are fool enough to admit it, for putting up with me for all these years. In one way or another, when I really needed you, each of you has been there for me. But I especially want to thank Prissy—for having the courage of her convictions—and a lot more sense than I have.”
A slight chuckle went through the crowd, though no one completely understood the comment. Prissy hoisted her glass in mock salute and smiled.
Clay put an arm around Ellie’s shoulders and her eyes filled with tears. “Last night I asked Ellen Fletcher to marry me. She has done me the great honor of accepting. Today I feel like the luckiest man in the world.”
After a moment of stunned silence, everyone cheered. Flex was on his feet in an instant, engulfing Clay in a warm man-hug. Prissy was crying and hugging Ellie, Shep was smiling. Jake looked surprised and pleased, and Maggie discreetly dabbed at her eyes.
Only Avery didn’t seem happy. With a scowl that made his opinion clear, he signaled the waiter to refill his glass then drained it in a single long swallow.
“Congratulations, son,” he said, approaching Clay at last. The smile on his face looked tight. “I said she was a looker, didn’t I?” He laughed a little, the sound forced, and turned in Ellie’s direction. “You’re a brave girl, Ellie. A woman willing to take on a man like Clay. A man of his appetites, I mean.” He winked. “She’s either got a lotta grit—or she’s downright crazy!” Avery laughed.
Ellie tensed. “I love him, Avery.” Instinctively, she knew she’d never call him father. A man like Avery Whitfield hated to be reminded of his age.
“Of course, my dear. He’s my son, isn’t he?” He turned to the circle of people surrounding them. “A toast.” He lifted his glass. “To the bride and groom. May they both come to their senses before it’s too late!”
There was a round of nervous laughter, but nobody drank.
“To the future bride and groom,” Flex put in smoothly. “May they continue to enjoy the happiness they’ve found in each other. It took them long enough!” Everyone laughed, lifted their glass, and drank to Clay and Ellie. More champagne flowed, corks popping while the guests drank freely, each excited by the news.
From across the terrace, Maggie watched Jake congratulate the happy couple as she had done a few minutes earlier. He seemed genuinely pleased for them.
They were a good match, Maggie thought. In an opposite way, maybe as good as she and Jake. Ellie brought out Clay’s more sensitive nature while Clay generated a certain strength in Ellie.
Maggie sighed and took a sip of champagne. Seeing the glow on Ellie’s face and the happiness and pride in Clay’s only made her own situation more heartbreaking.
