Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 118965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
The need builds again, rising like a tide inside me. I close my fingers, holding on to him. “I love you, Angelo.”
He changes his angle and hits that spot that always sends me over the edge. “Say it. Again.”
“I love you,” I whisper, crying out with pleasure.
“God, woman.” He clenches his jaw. “What you do to me.”
We come together, his hard body drawing taut as he empties himself inside me, branding me in the most primal way he can. It doesn’t leave a mark on my skin, but the mark on my soul runs deeper. The mark on my heart runs into eternity.
Breathing hard, he rests our foreheads together. He untangles our fingers and wraps his arms around me, holding me against him while staying inside me. It’s different than before. It’s not angry sex or revenge sex or sex for the sake of procreating. It’s not a reserved coupling that resembles lovemaking but that lacks the most basic element because we’re both holding back to protect our hearts.
It’s simple and pure.
Just love.
Epilogue
Angelo
* * *
Five months later, November 15th
* * *
The sun beats down on my head where I stand on the beach of Great Brak River, scanning the water. I pace up and down the sand, willing the boat to come into view. The helicopter I commissioned is nowhere in sight. I could’ve gone with the pilot and the men I armed with automatic rifles and harpoons, but I wanted to be here for Sabella when she gets back.
My phone rings in my pocket. I take it out and check the screen. It’s Mrs. Powell.
Answering the call, I say, “Letitia.”
“Do you have any news?”
I grit my teeth as I glance at the horizon of the ocean. “The boat isn’t back yet.”
“Please let me know the minute they return. I’m so excited for Sabella. I’m biting my nails on this end.”
She’s not the only one. “I’ll do that.”
“By the way, tell Sabella her shark notes are extremely helpful. I’m going to use everything in my next presentation. In fact, I wanted to know if she’d like to present it at the fundraiser in Amsterdam.”
“I’ll ask her.”
“I won’t keep you any longer. Oh, and thank you again for that amazing trip around Corsica on your beautiful yacht. Your wife is the most charming creature on Earth. You should come and visit us in London. Thomas and I would really like that.”
“Thank you for the invitation. I’ll let you know when we can make it.”
We say our goodbyes, but my attention remains fixed on the water where a blurry black point appears like a mirage in the far distance. I strain my eyes to make out the object, cursing myself for the oversight of not bringing binoculars. It may be an oil trawler or a freight ship. Enough of them cross these waters to dock in Mossel Bay.
A moment later, the sound of a helicopter becomes audible. I lift my face to the sky. The six-seater is a dot against the clouds, but the noise of the blades carries on the breeze. I walk into the shallow water, shading my eyes with my palm to block out the sun. I left my shoes and socks at the entrance of the cave and rolled up my pants as well as my shirt sleeves. In this heat, I should’ve worn damn swimming trunks, but I optimized on the visit to have an early meeting with Ryan and clients in George.
The noise of the helicopter steadily grows until it’s louder than the crash of the breakers. It hovers not far from the beach, sending ripples over the water. The pilot gives me a thumbs-up sign before tilting the helicopter left and heading toward the landing pad in Mossel Bay.
The affirmation only appeases me marginally. I don’t relax until the outline of the big boat is discernible and a different noise—this time, the engine of the inflatable Zodiac—disturbs the quiet. The smaller boat soon comes into view, a double line of white foam cutting behind it as the skipper steers it to the shore.
It reminds me of a different time when Roch was driving the boat and Sabella was clinging to the ropes on the sides, half-drowned and full of bitter hatred. I remember the cave and what we did on that day, but most of all, I think about the events that led to that afternoon. It seems like such a long time ago. And here we are, coming full circle.
I recognize Sabella first. Her long hair whips behind her in the wind. She sits in the front of the boat, her wetsuit peeled down to her waist. A red bikini top stretches over her curves. I can’t see her eyes behind the dark lenses of her sunglasses, but her grin tells me the mission was successful.