Page 173 of In Love and Revenge

‘You think it’s coming here?’

‘It is. We got briefed on it when my shift started. They don’t want help with their luggage. Probably travel with their own maids and butlers.’ He chuckles as the helicopter flies closer.

It circles the hotel, before lining itself up over the large, flat lawn, and hovering, preparing to land.

Joe jumps to his feet. ‘There’s a guy hanging out of it! Do you reckon it’s Tom Cruise? He does all his own stunts.’

‘Why would Tom Cruise be visiting Bath?’ I ask as I follow Joe to get a better look.

Management staff from the hotel line the edge of the lawn like they’re waiting for royalty.

‘Whoever it is, he’s either brave or stupid,’ I say as I stare at the suited figure who’s standing in the open doorway of the rear of the helicopter, holding on to something inside as he leans partway out and scans the grounds of the hotel like he’s searching for someone.

‘Or just cool,’ Joe says, impressed, as he grins in awe at the helicopter.

I stare at the man. At his rich wavy hair. At the way his broad body fills the open space in the side of the helicopter ... His broad, suited body ... complete with waistcoat.

‘Where are you going?’ Joe yells.

But I’m already sprinting.

I cross the lawn, getting as close as I safely can to the landing helicopter.

Rafael’s eyes collide with mine from the open doorway ten metres in the air.

His mouth opens and he shouts something, but I can’t hear him over the deafening roar of the blades slicing the air.

Joe catches up with me, stopping beside me as it lands.

It feels like forever as the blades stop turning and for us to be given a thumbs-up from one of the pilots inside the cockpit.

I rush over, a weird buzzing in my stomach that could be nerves or excitement. I can’t tell. But the moment I’m close enough to see Rafael’s face, it turns into knots.

He’s white as a sheet, frozen in place like his body has seized up.

And all I want to do is fling my arms around his neck and tell him how proud I am of him.

‘You don’t like heights!’ I cry, staring up at him from a couple of metres away. It’s as if my body can’t close the final distance yet, understanding that he needs a moment first.

‘I still don’t bloody like them. But not seeing you as soon as possible scared me more. Plus, it worked for Edward inPretty Woman,’ he says, shaking his head and staring at the grass like he can’t believe what he just did.

I can’t help it: I burst into inappropriate laughter.

He lifts his eyes to mine and I stop abruptly.

The two of us stare at one another for a beat as warmth weaves itself through me.

‘It’s been weeks,’ I say, not caring how desperate I sound.

He’s here now, and that’s the main thing. He’s here, and he wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t to see me.Would he?

My stomach drops when he doesn’t say anything.

‘Rafael?’

His gaze roams my face and his eyes soften, but then he turns, looking back over his shoulder.

‘You can get out now,’ he says.