The Cinderella Bride (13 page)

Emma's temper finally snapped, because he was so utterly right. “Can you blame me? Do you have any idea what it's like watching your mother fall for man after man on some fruitless search for the one of her dreams? Do you know how many times I had my life tossed upside down because she was certain this week's Prince Charming was ‘the one'? I promised myself I would never be disappointed the way she was. That I
wasn't going to spend the rest of my life regretting or mourning something I could never have.”

Gideon looked at the ground. Emma's furious confession had knocked him square in the gut. “I don't know what to say.”

“There's nothing to say,” she stated coldly, reining in her anger. “I said all along I knew what I was getting into. You don't have to feel guilty.”

Guilty? Her words sent a fresh round of frustration rolling through him, and he groaned aloud. “Will you stop?”

“What? All I said was that I knew what I was—”

“I know what you were saying. Would you stop assuming I don't want a commitment?” God, he wanted to throttle her then and there.

She was looking up at him, wide-eyed with disbelief, waiting for his next comment. A thousand tangled emotions stormed in her beautiful brown eyes.
Amazing,
Gideon thought suddenly. He could look at those eyes forever and never figure out every different emotion.

Forever.

The word hit him like a stone. His whole life, he'd mocked the idea, but when it came to Emma, the word
forever
flowed effortlessly. The fight went out of him, and when he spoke again, his voice was calm.

“How would you know what I want, Emma?” he asked. “You've never let me participate in the conversation.”

“Of course I did. You never answered.”

“Because you always ran away. The other night. This afternoon. Even the first night we made love you had
me out the door before I could catch my breath. You've never given me a chance to say anything.”

Emma blinked in shock. She'd given him plenty of chances.

Hadn't she?

But that didn't matter. The fact remained he wasn't going to hang around. “I heard you tell your father you didn't plan to stay.”

“My father? When did I say…?” He paused as comprehension dawned. “Now I remember. Last week, after breakfast. You were eavesdropping.”

“I was coming around the corner when I heard you,” she said defensively. “You told your father you had no reason to stay in Boston.”

“I was talking family. Not about you.”

“Great,” she said with a bitter laugh, “I didn't even make the equation. I feel so much better now.”

She turned to summon the elevator again, only to have Gideon lift her arm away before she could push the button. “What I meant,” he said, “was that I was planning to take you with me. Remember? That's why there was nothing keeping me here.

“Look,” he continued, “I know what it's like to have your parents' love lives turn your own life upside down. Believe me, I know that chaos better than you think. And until recently—very recently—I followed the low-expectations road, too. Stay away from relationships, stay out of trouble. But I'm realizing that road might not be the safest one, after all.”

“Why not?”

Cupping her cheek, he forced her eyes to meet his.
“Because I met a Little Match Girl, and I didn't realize how cold and lonely my boat would be without her on board.”

Emma stared into his blue eyes, looking for some sign, any sign, that she shouldn't believe him. Of course, it was hard to tell with her own eyes tearing the way they were. “Your boat's cold?”

“Freezing. Quiet, too. Don't tell him I said so, but Hinckley's a lousy berth mate. He just doesn't spoon into my body the way you do.”

Emma looked away. “So you're looking for a bed warmer.”

“I'm looking for a first mate,” Gideon replied, drawing her attention back. “I told you before, you'd make a terrific one. The job's yours if you're interested.”

“First mate, huh?”

Gideon nodded and she smiled shyly. She'd never heard such a wonderful offer.

But… She caught herself before she could accept. What if she was reading too much into the invitation? What if she was making the same mistake again?

Protect yourself,
a voice urged. All the old familiar voices chimed in.
Be realistic. Don't get your hopes up. You'll only get your heart broken.
She saw her mother crying pitifully over yet another failed relationship. Did Emma want to end up like that?

But wasn't she already miserable? Wasn't being with Gideon even for a short while better than the heartache she was enduring now? Longing rose up inside her, urging her to take a chance.

“I'm scared.”

She didn't realize she'd spoken aloud until Gideon smiled and brushed his thumb across her cheek. “Me, too. Thinking long-term is uncharted water for me.”

“Same here,” Emma replied.

“Then I guess we'll have to navigate those waters together.”

Together.
The word held such hope and promise. With tears of happiness filling her eyes, Emma smiled and buried her face in the crook of his neck. Gideon wrapped his arms around her tightly. “I've missed you so much,” he whispered as he kissed her temple. “I've missed
you,
” she told him in a choked voice.

They stood quietly, letting the warmth and safety of being in each other's arms wash over them. After a few moments—or an hour, Emma wasn't sure—Gideon pulled back, revealing eyes that were bluer and brighter than anything she'd ever seen. The emotion shining in their depths was unmistakable, and her heart swelled with love. “So,” he said with a smile, “are you up for the voyage, Miss O'Rourke?”

She caressed his jaw. “For as long as it takes, Mr. Kent.”

“Good. Because I have a feeling it's going to be a very long journey.”

“How long?”

He moved closer, bringing his breath to her lips. “How do you feel about forever?”

Emma didn't think it was possible, but her heart filled even more. “Forever sounds perfect, Captain.” She leaned forward to complete the kiss.

Suddenly a thought came to her, and she pulled back.
“Your grandmother,” she gasped. “She's probably wondering what happened. We should go explain.”

“Oh, we've got time,” Gideon replied. With a triumphant smile, he showed her the time on his wristwatch.

“It's two o'clock.”

 

Three months later, Emma stood on deck, watching the sun fall off the edge of the earth in all its breathtaking glory.

“Beautiful,” she murmured.

A pair of strong arms wrapped her waist from behind.

“So, is it everything I promised?” Gideon asked, pulling her to him. She leaned into his chest, marveling for the millionth time how safe and happy his embrace made her.

“More than everything,” she said.

“Good. After all, we aim to please.” He nipped the curve of her neck. “And please, and please, and please…”

Nipping became nuzzling, and Emma giggled. She'd had no idea life could be this magical.

Gideon had made peace once and for all with his family. He told her about his parentage; how his mother didn't know who had fathered her son. Emma agreed with Mariah and the others. His DNA didn't matter. He was a Kent at heart. It took a while, but Gideon was slowly realizing that same fact.

At the moment, however, he appeared more interested in peppering her shoulders with kisses. The man was insatiable. Not that Emma minded. Making love
to Gideon never grew old. They discovered something new about each other every time.

“Mmm,” she said, letting her head fall back to allow him better access. “I'm going to hate going back to work, after all this sunshine.”

“Well, we can always extend the honeymoon another few weeks.” He teased her ear with his tongue. “Or years.”

“Don't you have a hotel chain to run?” Last night, he'd called his grandmother to officially agree to be her successor. They were scheduled to meet with the board of directors next week.

“I suppose,” he replied with a sigh. He didn't bother disguising his disappointment. “Though running a hotel chain isn't nearly as fun as teaching you how to sail.”

“Oh, is that what we're calling it now,” she teased.

“If it helps, I'll be right by your side.” She planted a kiss on his nose. “Just like a good first mate should.”

“You, sweetheart, are hardly a first mate. More like a co-captain.”

“How about admiral?”

“As long as we've got Hinckley, I'm afraid that position is filled.” With that, Gideon adjusted their positions so his mouth hovered just above hers. “Have I told you today how much I love you, Mrs. Kent?”

Emma smiled. “Yes, but I'll never get tired of hearing it. Or telling you I love you back.”

And as the sun disappeared, she kissed him with all the happiness she felt in her heart. “Thank you,” she whispered, “for giving me everything.”

Everything, she thought to herself, and more.