Irresistible Temptation (25 page)

'Because I didn't expect that. If I'm honest, I didn't want it. I had my own plans.'

'I went back to Ireland to sort my head out To tell myself that you were still in love with Jeremy and I didn't have a prayer.'

His mouth twisted. 'But I couldn't stop talking about you, and at last my mother asked when she was going to meet her future daughter-in-law.

'And I knew then that, for better or worse, I had to come back. To make you see that Jeremy was no good, and that you belonged to me. To convince you, somehow, that I loved you, and wanted you as my wife. Because that was the truth and the whole truth.'

He sighed. 'I was on my way round to see you when Maria turned up. She needed my help, and I had to give it'

'How—how is she?' Olivia asked.

'Hurting badly,' he said grimly. 'But her family have rallied round her, and she's staying with her parents. I gather she's already served divorce papers on Jeremy.'

He was silent for a moment. 'I didn't mean to make love to you that night. I came after you to comfort you—because I was sure you'd be hurting too. I told myself I had to make you feel safe again—to win your trust And instead I found myself in paradise.

'Now I've nothing, Olivia. Because when you went you took it all. Every hope—every dream. Come back, my darting. My one and only love. Make me human again.'

She was very still, her heart hammering with joy. With longing. With the promise of fulfilment and a love that would last for ever.

She said softly, a smile quivering on her lips, ' "O! you should not rest Between the elements of air and earth. But you should pity me!".'

'Just pity?' It was a shadow of his old smile. And his eyes asked for reassurance, and absolution.

'No,' she said, her eyes radiant, her voice tender. 'Love.'

And she ran across the damp grass and into the sanctuary of Declan's waiting arms.