Any Way You Want It (Brand Clan #2)(88)

“She told you that?” Zandra whispered brokenly.

“Yeah.” His voice was husky with emotion. “She must have known...long before we did.”

As tears welled in Zandra’s eyes, Remy pulled her into his arms, tucked her head beneath his chin and held her tight as she wept into his chest.

She almost imagined she could feel her mother standing beside her, whispering the words from her letter. Never be afraid to open your heart. The right man will know how to take care of it.

Remy was that man. And her mother had realized it years ago.

Long moments afterward, Zandra lifted her damp face to his. “I missed you,” she whispered.

“God, I missed you, too,” Remy groaned, kissing her forehead and her closed eyelids. “I couldn’t get here fast enough.”

She smiled. “I’m glad you came.”

“Are you?”

She nodded as he lovingly brushed the tears from her cheeks. “I really am.”

He shook his head at her. “I’m so sorry I hurt you, Zandra,” he said thickly, stroking her windswept hair off her face. “I tried like hell to convince myself I was doing the right thing, but instead I betrayed your trust.”

She swallowed. “I never expected that from you. I felt blindsided.”

“I know, baby. Not a day goes by that I don’t regret what I did. Do you think...do you think you can ever forgive me?”

She stared into his eyes, saw his anguish and remorse, and knew there was nothing she could ever refuse him.

She reached up and touched his cheek. “I think I already have.”

He turned his face and pressed a kiss to her palm, his eyes closed in an expression of infinite gratitude that clutched at her heart.

“I’m staying here for two more weeks,” she murmured.

As he opened his eyes and looked at her, she added almost shyly, “You’re more than welcome to stay, too. If you’d like.”

His gaze softened. “Oh, I’d like. I’d like very much.”

She smiled.

He leaned his forehead against hers, and they looked into each other’s moist eyes.

“I love you so much,” Remy said fervently.

“I love you, too.”

“I need you.”

“I need you, too.”

Cupping her face between his hands, Remy said in an achingly raw voice, “I can’t live without you, Z. Please don’t make me have to.”

Her throat tightened. “I won’t.”

“Then marry me.”

Even as rapture burst inside her, she couldn’t resist arching a brow at him. “Are you asking or telling me?”

“Both.” His eyes glittered. “Because I’m not taking no for an answer. In fact—”

She watched as he reached inside his pocket and removed a small black velvet pouch that she recognized, having purchased jewelry from Tiffany’s.

He said, “I’ll give you the box later. It wouldn’t fit in my pocket.”

“Oh, my God,” Zandra breathed as he removed an exquisite princess-cut engagement ring. “Remy...”

As he held up the ring, the five-carat diamond caught and reflected the sunlight.

Zandra beamed.

Remy chuckled at her, tweaking her nose. “You were always such a girl.”

She grinned, not denying it. “It’s a gorgeous ring, Remy.”

“I’m glad you like it. I can’t wait to put it on your finger.”

She held out a trembling hand.

“Ah, ah, ah,” he murmured. “Not so fast.”

“Don’t play with me, Rem.”

“I’m not. But you haven’t given me an answer yet.”

“Does it matter?” she teased. “You said you weren’t taking no for an answer.”

“I want to hear you say the word.” He held up the ring. “Do you want it?”

She gazed into his eyes. “Not as much as I want the man holding it.”

A look of tender euphoria swept over his face. “God, I love you,” he whispered.

“Ditto.” She paused. “And my answer is yes.”

“Yes?”

She smiled. “Yes.”

Tears misted her eyes as he slid the ring onto her finger. Then he hauled her into his arms, lifted her off the sand and spun her around. She laughed joyously, clinging to his neck as the ocean breeze danced through her hair.

Remy held on to her, his hands curving under her bottom as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Their lips met hotly, sealing the deal.

Even as the frothy waves washed over Remy’s feet, soaking the bottom of his pants, he didn’t stop kissing Zandra, didn’t release her mouth or uncurl his tongue from hers. As the kiss intensified, heat surged through her, hardening her nipples and dampening her panties beneath her sundress. She moaned with pleasure, tightening her thighs around him.

It was only when they heard whistles that they broke apart and glanced around to see a couple strolling past, grinning broadly at them.

“Go, Navy,” the man cheered encouragingly.

Remy laughed as Zandra blushed.

“I guess we should, ah, take this reunion inside the house,” she suggested.

Remy grinned. “Where is it?”