Daphne and Evander lay entwined in her cottage bedroom. Sighing against his bare chest, she smiled.
Destiny had come through for her just under the wire, with a man she’d never have expected but who couldn’t have been more perfect. And on her birthday, no less. He’d sneaked in like the trained man he was.
Resting her chin on a fist, she stared into his dark eyes. He tried to hold back a smile as he pushed a heavy hand through her curly hair, giving her tangles the most delicious tugs.
Being with Evander was like nothing she’d ever experienced. He was sweet and tender, yet insistent in all the ways a lover should be. He’d been almost bashful while undressing her in the small bedroom, yet reverent and sensual. He was the same man in the bedroom as outside of it. In control, caring and protective.
“You’re beautiful,” he said, his voice almost breaking. He swallowed hard and pulled her head against his chest, breathing her in.
He was struggling with something.
“Let go,” she said, tipping her head up to meet him eye to eye. “I’ll catch you.”
“You already have.”
“Then let it out.”
He took a deep breath, then whispered, eyes shut tight, arms wrapped around her as though afraid she’d disappear with the words he spoke. “I love you, Daphne Summer. I love you so damned much it scares me more than being shot at.”
She laughed, her body rocking against his. “Don’t worry, I won’t leave any holes.”
“You’d better not.” He pulled her closer so he could kiss her, the bedsheets tangled around them. “I said I would protect you so you can change the world, Daphne. That’s a promise I intend to keep. In fact, I plan to talk to Finian, Connor, and Tristen to see if they’d like to go partners in a new venture I have planned.”
“What’s that?” She couldn’t see the other men wanting to be bodyguards, but then Evander had given Mistral that focused look of his when he had an idea and was about to make it happen.
“This woman I know—” Evander said.
“Hey, no mentioning other women in the bedroom!”
He caught her hands as she pretended to fight him. “It’s you! It’s you!” He laughed, and she’d never heard anything better in all her life.
He settled her and continued, “If the four of us can get the island, then maybe you would be interested in creating a place that is relaxing, teaches people about the environment, preserves our heritage, and maybe creates a new legacy within your family for a little girl who has snuck her way into my life and heart.”
“Are you talking about Baby Horseshoe Island?” Daphne sat up, not caring that her chest was exposed. Around him, it didn’t matter what she wore, he would always see through it to the real Daphne. The one she hadn’t felt strong enough to reveal to the world. To herself, even.
“It’s going to take a lot of time.” She had to take the job with Environment Canada, and needed to arrange for a signing bonus ASAP. It was Tuesday, and by Friday she had to have enough to pay the taxes on this place or it would be gone forever. Legacy ended.
“It will,” he admitted.
“We both have jobs.”
“True.”
“I never really wanted to work behind a desk, though.” She let out a sigh. She really wanted this. Badly. As soon as she had started telling Mistral the small dream all those years ago it had begun to feel real. And the hope was still there. The desire to make it happen.
The timing was off, though. She couldn’t have the cottage and build this island retreat.
The men didn’t even own the land yet.
But it felt so right. She couldn’t imagine saying no.
If the cottage is meant to stay with us, destiny will find a way. Wasn’t that what her mother always said?
Evander took her left hand, his large and warm around hers. “Will you be my partner?”
Although he was talking about the island, Daphne couldn’t help but feel as though he was asking for more than that.
And for the second time that day, she followed her heart.
“Yes, Evander. I will be your partner in anything that comes our way, and especially this. That is a promise.”
He smiled and swept her up into his arms. “How did I ever become so lucky to have you walk into my life?”
“You were special-ordered by destiny, sweetheart.”
Now all she had to do was hope destiny could save the cottage, too.
* * *
Evander was afraid. Things were so good with Daphne. Unexpected and entirely frightening. In war he’d had moments of fear, but was never afraid. He knew what his odds were. The other men were there of their own accord, had made their own peace with the fact that they might not come out alive.
But this was different. Daphne had the power to destroy what war had never been able to touch.
And he could break something here more precious than anything he’d ever been responsible for.
But he loved her. With all his might, and the hope and brightness he saw on his horizon was something so exciting it nearly split him apart with the possibilities of what his future could be with Daphne at his side.
The past ten days had changed them both and that crushing weight that had been following him, pressing down hard on his chest, had lifted as though it had never been there.
He looked in the old cottage bathroom mirror and caught himself smiling. No, not smiling, grinning like a mad fool.
He was that man. That man in love who whistled everywhere he went, with a bounce in his step. He let out a chuckle at his turn in fate.
The Summer women said this place was enchanted, and for the first time, he believed. The force of love was something that could never be underestimated and he’d do everything in his power to nurture and protect it.
He lifted his face to the ceiling and whispered, “Thank you. Thank you for Daphne and a chance at living a real life.”