One King's Way (On Dublin Street #6.5)(45)

“So . . . wh-why are you here instead of letting me come to you?”

“Because by the time Darcy called I’d already booked my flight. Mum, Mags, and Jeannie gave me their blessing to start a life here. With you. I called a mate of mine who works construction over here and arranged to stay with him for a while, and I’ve got an appointment with a financial officer at the bank to look over my business plans for opening my own bar. Australia appeals to me. I like the weather. I like the people. This is a good move for me. That we can be together just makes it perfect. Owning my own bar probably won’t happen right away, but I’m sure I can get work somewhere until I can get it up and running. Anyway, when Darcy heard all that she said she wanted to be in on surprising you, so she set this little scenario up.”

I could barely breathe with the happiness that was flooding over me all of a sudden. I couldn’t even think what to say that would encapsulate all that I was feeling. Finally I decided on, “Get over here.”

He flashed me a grin before closing the space between us and wrapping me up in his arms and off my feet. I buried my face in his neck as he held on tight.

A few seconds later he lowered me to my feet. I pulled his head down with me and kissed him with all the longing that had built up inside of me these last few weeks.

Was it only weeks? It had felt like years.

“I love you,” I murmured against his mouth. “I’ve missed you more than anything.”

“I’ve missed you, too,” he groaned. “Fuck, I love you, lady.”

I grinned at his declaration. It wasn’t the words of a poet but it was romantic as hell to me.





Craig



The low morning light was starting to fall into the room from a band of glass at the top of Rain’s window that wasn’t covered by a blind. He’d need to fix that for her.

The light spilled across Rain’s face as she lay sleeping, and for the first time in weeks Craig’s soul was soothed.

He should be asleep but jet lag was playing havoc with him. When he arrived in Sydney he’d crashed on his friend’s sofa bed for two hours before getting up to get ready to meet Rain. Now it was early in the morning but to him it was late afternoon and he was wide awake. Even after his energetic reunion with Rain.

He trailed the back of his knuckles across the soft skin of her upper arm, tracing a familiar freckle with his thumb. Not too long ago he thought he’d never see that freckle again.

A rush of affection for the freckle overcame him and he couldn’t help but lean over to press his lips to it. When he pulled back Rain’s sleepy gaze met his. She gave him a soft smile before reaching up to brush her fingers over his cheek. “Jet lag?”

He nodded. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t want to miss a thing.”

Amusement flooded him. “I don’t want to close my eyes,” he sang. “I don’t want to fall asleep.”

“Ugh.” She made a face and punched at him halfheartedly. “Ruin the moment, why don’t you.”

Craig laughed and fell over her, making her giggle. He kissed her nose. “I take it Aerosmith won’t be on our wedding playlist, then?”

She blinked sleepily, and f*ck if it wasn’t adorable. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” He nudged her legs apart, deciding if she was awake then she was going to help him burn off the jet lag.

“Wedding?”

He nodded, pressing kisses along her elegant jaw. “One day.”

He felt her smile. “One day,” she repeated.

“Because,” he whispered in her ear. “This is forever.”

Pulling back to see her expression, Craig was gratified to see the surprise in her eyes. “You really think so?” she whispered back.

“Aye,” he told her as he kissed her sweet mouth. “I can’t lose you again. No matter what happens I will fight like f*ck to keep you.”

Rain gave him a slow, sweet, and slightly smug smile that made him laugh. “And so the realist becomes a romantic.”

He grinned at her assessment because no one else who knew him would ever suggest such a thing. But then again, no one else knew him in the way that this woman did, and no one else ever would. “Only with you, darlin’, only with you.”





Keep reading for an excerpt from HERO, the emotional and unforgettable standalone romance from New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young! Available now.

Alexa Holland’s father was her hero—until her shocking discovery that her mother and she weren’t his only family. Ever since, Alexa has worked to turn her life in a different direction and forge her own identity outside of his terrible secrets. But when she meets a man who’s as damaged by her father’s mistakes as she is, Alexa must help him.

Caine Carraway wants nothing to do with Alexa’s efforts at redemption, but it’s not so easy to push her away. Determined to make her hate him, he brings her to the edge of her patience and waits for her to walk away. But his actions only draw them together and, despite the odds, they begin an intense and explosive affair.

Only Caine knows he can never be the white knight that Alexa has always longed for. And when they’re on the precipice of danger, he finds he’ll do anything to protect either one of them from being hurt again. . . .