MERLE DECIDED THIS summer on Waiheke Island was particularly stunning. Every day had been highlighted by a brilliant sun, cloudless bright skies and views of that calm, endless sea. Today her floaty fabric jumpsuit was vibrant and cool. She loved the silky feel of it as Ash firmly gripped her hand and led her down the balcony stairs.
‘What are you doing?’ She giggled at his determined pace. ‘Where are you taking me in such a rush?’
‘To my secret underground lair.’ He glanced back with a suggestive waggle of his eyebrows. ‘Where else?’
‘The bunker?’ She’d not been down there in ages. Most of the time she forgot it even existed. ‘Why?’
He didn’t answer. There was just another playfully suggestive smile.
They were almost a week into their month-long holiday here. They’d made Ash’s old bedroom their suite, mostly so they could indulge in a decadent bubble bath most nights. During the days they pitted wits over the selection of board games. They’d taken their favourite, most precious ones back to their home in Sydney, but they’d bolstered the collection here so that the families who stayed could enjoy them. His idea of a respite holiday home had been embraced and now the house was used every weekend, even through the heart of winter.
They swiftly descended the steep stairs down into the bunker. Merle looked around, taking in the changes that had occurred since the first time she’d been in here. Ash had obviously been down here earlier because on the counter there was a bottle of champagne on ice and a selection of fresh cut fruit on a platter, together with her favourite crackers.
‘What have you planned?’ She shot him a laughing glance.
He paused, his head cocked at a distinct rumbling sound. ‘I think the hatch just closed. I’m afraid we’re locked in. Oh! No!’
Amused at his theatrical ‘distress’, she rose on her toes and leaned towards him. ‘Are we, now?’
‘Mmm. Maybe we can find a way out. I think... Is that a clue?’ He peered in exaggerated fashion at the fruit platter.
She looked and saw there was something scratched on the edge of the plate. Numbers.
‘Oh, yes!’ She turned back to face him in mock-amazement. ‘I think it might be.’
Merle knew the bunker was often used by the children who came to stay. Ash had contracted a games designer to work out an ‘escape room’ challenge for the guests to enjoy as part of their holiday. It was a thoughtful touch that had melted Merle’s heart when he’d run it past her, but she’d not given the challenge a go herself yet. But according to the messages left in the guest book in the main house, it was one of the most popular activities.
‘But this isn’t fair if you know the answers to the challenges.’ She laughed as he handed her a glass of champagne.
‘But I don’t know them.’ He winked. ‘We’ll have to work it out together.’
A series of challenges took them through the bunker—one puzzle led to another, from the living area, to the kitchen, to the corridor... Working out an anagram gave them a code to unlock the bedroom at the end, and once they had made it in there they found a tiny key. Merle was entranced and fascinated, and realised that, indeed, Ash had no clue about most of the answers. It fired up the competitive nature that he’d brought out in her. She was delighted to be the one to discover a small projector that made a hologram appear. It gave them another clue to search one of the storage cupboards. When that finally unlocked, it revealed a miniature treasure chest inside.
‘Do you think the key will fit?’ Ash waggled his brows.
‘I wonder,’ she joked.
‘I guess the code from the hatch will be inside,’ he muttered.
Merle unlocked the little chest and lifted the lid. Then stilled.
There was no code. No next clue. There was a midnight-blue velvet cushion and carefully placed on it was a stunning solitaire.
‘Merle?’
There was no denying what kind of ring that was. Her eyes were instantly watering but she glanced up at him anyway. She couldn’t not. He compelled everything from her. ‘Ash.’
He was wickedly gorgeous and that smile—the one that melted her—now spread across his face. He knew her answer already, just as she knew the question. She loved his playfulness. She loved his effort. She loved him.
But he spoke so seriously. ‘I love you. Please will you marry me, Merle?’
Even though he knew her answer already, she heard the rough edge of vulnerability. Emotion, truth, throbbed. She knew that for him, too, nothing else mattered.
‘Yes,’ she answered swiftly and simply as tears warred with her smiles. ‘There’s nothing I’d like more.’
He lifted the ring from the treasure chest.
‘It’s beautiful,’ she whispered.
Relief lit his eyes. ‘There’s a code in the engraving.’
‘Meaning?’
‘You’ll have to work it out.’ Holding it carefully, he angled it so she saw the stunning, intricate pattern engraved along the band and a small black stone set right inside it.
‘It has a secret stone in there?’ She was amazed.
‘An ash-coloured diamond.’ He glanced at her a little sheepishly. ‘My heart.’
It was both traditional and modern, serious and playful with a hidden heart—his. Of course there was. Because Ash knew her love for symbolism, for tying memory and emotion to little treasures. So he’d made sure this ring had it all for her.
‘Do you like it?’
‘It’s such a precious thing,’ she breathed. ‘You’ve put so much thought into it. It’s perfect, Ash.’
So unique, so intentional. She adored it, but most of all she adored him. She held out her hand urgently, half-laughing as she saw how her fingers trembled. He slid the ring home.
‘I’m never taking it off,’ she vowed.
His smile flashed and he tugged on her hand to pull her against his body. ‘What if we take everything else off?’
‘Yes, please.’ She could say nothing but yes to Ash Castle.
He helped her out of her pink jumpsuit, chuckling at the emerald bikini beneath it. Colour was now Merle’s friend. She loved exploring all kinds of combinations, all kinds of everything, with Ash alongside her for the ride. And now, as she gazed into his eyes, her heart burst, overflowing at the hope and love she saw. In his delight at their future together. They’d both finally found love. For ever.
If you were blown away by Stranded for One Scandalous Week you’re sure to get swept up in the next instalment of the Rebels, Brothers, Billionaires duet.
And don’t forget to check out these other stories by Natalie Anderson!
The Innocent’s Emergency Wedding
The Greek’s One-Night Heir
Shy Queen in the Royal Spotlight
Secrets Made in Paradise
The Queen’s Impossible Boss
All available now
Keep reading for an excerpt from Promoted to the Italian’s Fiancée by Cathy Williams.