Echoes of the Heart (22 page)

Amanda’s heart fisted. Jake had possessed something with Sophie that he and Amanda had never shared—friendship and trust. The painful sensation intensified as she reminded herself the couple had much more in common than that. They’d both come from super-wealthy families, moved in the same elite social circles.

Defeated again, and incredibly exhausted from the way her emotions had continually bounced from high to low, she leant back and Jake released her hand.

‘That’s the truth, Amanda. I was never in love with Sophie.’

For a moment she raised her hands to cover her closed eyes. ‘You might have felt that way, but what about Sophie?’ she asked.

‘Believe me, we weren’t struck by Cupid’s arrow. There wasn’t even any sexual pull for either of us by that stage.’

That was hard to believe. Amanda couldn’t imagine any woman could be just a friend to Jake. His sexual magnetism was too strong. Every female head had turned when they walked through Circular Quay earlier that evening, and she was certain it was due to Jake’s incredible sex appeal rather than the fact that he was instantly recognisable to most Australians.

‘Are you certain Sophie didn’t just tell you she had no deeper feelings for you so that you would marry her?

‘I think we both knew we’d made a mistake from the moment the priest said
you may kiss the bride
.’

‘Are you telling me you weren’t lovers during your marriage?’ The confronting question was uttered before she thought about it.

He shifted uncomfortably. ‘We tried that, but it was a dismal failure. The chemistry just wasn’t there, and without that spark, friendship wasn’t a strong enough basis to keep our marriage glued together. We realised that neither of us were doing the other or ourselves any favours by staying in a platonic marriage.’

The discomfort he felt was palpable and she sensed it was a hard admission for him to make. ‘Thank you for your honesty.’

‘I’ve never cheated on anyone.’ His tone was imperative. ‘You were the only woman in my life back then. You
are
the only one in my life and you always will be.’

Insecurity in herself and in her relationship with Jake had made her run from him. She’d been wrong, and her heart was heavy with regret. They’d lost two years they should have been together, and because of her lack of faith they had both suffered. She should’ve trusted him—given their relationship a chance. Feelings of inadequacy and lack of self-confidence had made her vulnerable to the comments of others.

‘You’ve apologised for misjudging me but I’ve been equally as guilty of misjudging you,’ she admitted tearfully.

‘Circumstances didn’t help us,’ he acknowledged with an edge of bitterness. ‘Neither did lack of trust. But we’re both older and wiser now.’

Somehow, she had to find the courage to be with the man she loved and face her critics instead of hiding away.

‘Whatever the future brings, we’ll face it together.’ Each of his words implored her to give their relationship a chance.

‘What about your parents? I know your father doesn’t approve of me,’ she said sadly.

‘My father has always wanted what is best for me, and that’s you. I think he’ll accept that now. He knows Sophie and I weren’t suited.’

‘But, my reputation...’

‘I would like to explain the circumstances of your marriage to him. I think it would be hard for him to accept you without that knowledge. But ultimately, he needs to know that I love you and that nothing and nobody will ever stand in the way of our happiness again.’ He pulled her into his arms.

‘I do love you —’

He made a triumphant sound then captured her face in his hands, sealed his lips to hers in exultation. ‘You don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear you say that!’

‘You’ve always been in my heart, always been the one I love.’

‘I feel the same, baby.’

Jake’s love for her, his belief in her was evident in the sincerity of his expression. He was right. The past had to be left where it belonged. It was the future that counted, and they could face that together. But although she knew he would always support her, she realised her strength had to come from within. Self-belief. That was what was important if their love was to survive.

‘I want you as my wife.’ He kissed her again. This time his kiss was a heady mix of promise and passion. When he finally broke contact with her lips, her mouth trembled. ‘Marry me, Amanda.’

Silence stretched and it seemed they both held their breaths as she searched deep into her soul.

Her lips broke into a tremulous smile and once again the tears tracked down her cheeks. ‘Yes, Jake,’ she agreed on a rush of breath. ‘I’ll marry you.’

The kisses he gave her were an outpouring of how much he loved her. Every inch of her was worshipped by him. She cried out his name in ecstasy as he took them both to the heavens again.

Five weeks later, Amanda danced the bridal waltz in Jake’s arms while Irene looked on with pride.

‘Irene’s really enjoying herself,’ Amanda said happily.

‘She’s not the only one,’ Jake murmured against her ear. His right hand slid to the curve of his bride’s bottom and pulled her closer to him.

Amanda shivered with longing and battled to keep her thoughts on their surroundings as they moved together. ‘I think that new drug treatment is helping her.’

‘It’s early days yet, my beautiful bride, and you know that the drug is no miracle cure,’ Jake cautioned, placing a gentle yet still scorching kiss on her temple. ‘But she’s definitely recovering from her stroke.’

Amanda removed her hand from Jake’s and slid her arms around his waist then up his back, nestling her head against his shoulder. ‘Everyone seems happy for us.’

‘They are. Not only have you made a wonderful impression on my friends, but they can see how happy you make me.’

‘Your mother has been so warm to me.’

‘And Dad has been cautiously accepting!’

She laughed. ‘I’ll have to work on him.’

‘Darling, I have every confidence that you’ll have him eating out of your hand in no time.’

‘But you know, I really like Sophie,’ she confessed, looking up at Jake. ‘I expected to feel self-conscious with your ex-wife and more than a little jealous, but she put me at ease when we had lunch last week with your mother. I think we’ll be good friends.’

‘That would be great. She’s a good person. When you get to know her better, you’ll realise how much she needs a good friend, and she’ll be a loyal friend to you in return.’

Searching the reception room, Amanda saw Sophie sitting on the edge of a group. It was clear Jake’s ex-wife had no romantic interest in Jake and was genuinely happy for them, but occasionally Amanda caught melancholy in Sophie’s expression.

‘Every now and then there’s sadness about her, but I know now it has nothing to do with you or your failed marriage.’

‘Like all of us, she wants to be loved. She just hasn’t found the right person yet.’

‘She’s rich and beautiful but her life hasn’t been easy, has it?’ Amanda asked.

‘No. Both of you have had it tough one way or another. But for you that’s all about to change.’

He trailed tender kisses across her forehead, and down across her eyelids before capturing her mouth. Fierce longing coiled within her and her stomach clenched as their lips melded. Every stroke of his tongue against hers made desire drum through her veins, flowing like red-hot lava. Her legs trembled and her surroundings faded into oblivion. She was consumed by her need to have him fill the aching place deep within her.

‘I can’t wait another second to make love to you,’ she groaned against his mouth. ‘Do you think it’s time for us to leave yet?’

‘You’re insatiable,’ he told her, teasing her ear with his teeth.

‘I could say the same about you,’ she flirted, shifting her hips as discreetly as possible so she ground against his erection.

‘Stop that, woman, or you’ll have to stay where you are for the rest of the night to hide the effect you have on me.’

Laughing up at him, she’d never known so much happiness.

He waltzed her over to his cousin, who was his best man. ‘Time to announce our departure, Blake.’

‘So soon?’ Blake smiled.

‘Not soon enough,’ Jake murmured in Amanda’s ear as Blake made the announcement.

‘You have to throw your bouquet!’ one of the female guests called out.

In a flurry of activity, the single women gathered behind Amanda.

‘You too, Sophie,’ Jake’s mother insisted.

Amanda threw her bouquet over her shoulder. Amid female squeals, Amanda turned. Sophie looked back at her with a bemused expression, the bouquet clutched to her chest.

‘Looks like you’ll be the next bride, Sophie!’ Jake’s mother exclaimed, clapping her hands together in delight.

Jake’s arm encircled Amanda’s waist. He turned her to him and delivered the most loving, sensuous kiss she’d ever experienced. In that single kiss, she felt his promise to love, cherish and honour her. She gave a quiet moan, and put her heart into kissing him back.

Tenderness soon turned to passion as her libido kicked into frantic overdrive. Jake’s tongue invaded her mouth and his hands clasped her waist, thumbs brushing the curves of her satin-clad breasts. Just a taste of what he would do to her tonight.

Finally, with much heckling from the assembled wedding guests, he raised his head and gave her a wicked, sensual smile, his eyes ablaze with passion. ‘I’m going to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you, darling.’

Amanda’s heartbeat tripped. After all the heartache she’d endured, she could hardly believe that she and Jake had found their way back to each other. Everything in her future looked so much brighter and she knew she would never have to face any problem alone again.

‘You’re making all my dreams come true,’ she told him breathlessly.

‘And you far surpass all of my dreams and fantasies,’ he replied. ‘Speaking of fantasies…’ He lowered his mouth to her ear and she felt heat invading her cheeks as he outlined his plans for their wedding night.

Placing her hand into his, she allowed his love and passion to flow through her as he led her through their guests and they made their farewells.

He paused at the exit of the function centre. ‘I love you truly, madly, deeply and thoroughly, Mrs Formosa,’ he told her. ‘I’m totally committed to making every day of our marriage a happy one.’

Her eyes misted for her husband’s words were the echoes of her heart.

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