“Yes... and no.” She met his gaze. “I want to read it to see if there is a way to get my memories back, and no, because I’m afraid it won’t be in there, and I’ll be extremely upset with her.”
“I understand. I’ll support you in whatever you decide.”
Sighing, she leaned against him and ran her fingers through his hair. He wanted to close his eyes and enjoy but watching her face fill with desire was more enjoyable.
Her gaze dropped to his mouth again. “Now, where were we before my brother interrupted us?”
Terrick chuckled and cupped the side of her face. “I was about ready to take you home.”
She pouted playfully and rested her chin on his arm. “If you must.”
“Don’t you want to go home, dearest Bella?”
“No. I want to stay right here and be with you.”
Those words were music to his ears. “That can be arranged.”
“I’d like to sit with you in front of the fireplace and hold each other all night long.”
His throat tightened with emotion. He’d waited so long to hear her say things like this. “There happens to be a loveseat in front of the hearth in one of the sitting rooms. More than anything, I want to be with you tomorrow.”
“Why? What’s tomorrow?”
“It’s the day we were forced to separate, seven years ago.”
Her eyes widened. “It is?”
“Yes.” He slid an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. “I came to see you after your mother died, but you had forgotten about me by then. Your father had told me to wait for the seven years to pass, just like your mother had instructed.” He moved his thumb down to her bottom lip and lightly stroked it. “That day is tomorrow, and there isn’t anyone I’d rather be with.”
“Me, either.”
Arm-in-arm, they left the porch and walked into the house. As they passed a servant who worked in the kitchen, Terrick gave her instructions to bring some cookies and tea into the sitting room. He tried to walk casually, but he couldn’t wait to be alone with her again, cuddling with her on the loveseat.
Finally, they reached the room, and he closed the door. They walked to the loveseat. As she sat, he threw another log on the fire before joining her. Bella waited for him to get situated before she leaned against him. He wrapped his arm around her, just like they had been on the porch swing.
She stared up at him with her wondrous eyes, which made his insides melt.
“You know,” she began, “I’ve told you already how wonderful you are, and I don’t want you to get tired of hearing it.”
He chuckled. “I assure you, I won’t. Not if you don’t get tired of me telling you how happy I am with you in my life now.”
“I kind of like it when you say that.”
He grinned. “Good.”
“However, there is one thing I haven’t told you yet, and I think now is a good time to do it.”
He nodded. “I’d love to hear what it is, my dearest Bella.”
Sighing heavily, she gave him a lazy smile. “In just a few short days, I’ve fallen in love with you, Terrick. My memories of my past haven’t returned, but my heart tells me that I’ve loved you before. And now... I love you again.”
Happiness exploded inside his chest, and he gathered her closer and kissed her. Emotion had clogged his throat, and his eyes stung with tears, but he’d show her how much her confession had meant to him.
The kiss wasn’t wild, but it was endearing and passionate. Bella kissed him just like she’d done seven years ago, and he couldn’t get enough. He never wanted to let her go now. He’d press for a quick wedding because they had both waited too long, already.
Being married to Bella would be a dream come true, and it was high time he was happy.
BELLA’S BODY FELT STIFF, and yet, she was warm and cozy. As her mind started coming alert, she realized she wasn’t in her bed. She sucked in a quick breath and opened her eyes. Terrick reclined next to her on the loveseat. A blanket had been thrown over them, making the moment even cozier.
She released a blissful sigh and stared at the incredibly handsome and loving man next to her. Every day he continued to amaze her, and she felt so very lucky to be the woman who held his heart. When she had first met him, she thought he was the most handsome man she’d ever seen. Other girls her age had felt the same way, but Bella was the one he’d chosen out of all the women in town.
Their relationship had grown quickly because soon, they were arranging to meet each other – in town at first – but then soon she snuck away from her house to meet him here at the estate. Those weeks had been the best time of her life. They had done everything together, as long as she kept it a secret, of course.
But then the day came when their parents found out. And then came her mother’s suggestion of keeping them apart for seven years. Bella couldn’t imagine life without Terrick. She knew no other man would make her feel this way – this happy... this complete.
And now, they had found each other. Her heart had let her know that Terrick was the one she was destined to be with. Her heart let her know...
Gasping, she sat up. Her heartbeat whacked crazily against her chest. I remember!
Everything that had been blocked from her memory was now back. The day she had run away, but then the panther found her in the forest and kept her from running to Terrick. When her father and brother took her home, her mother took her in her arms and comforted Bella. She couldn’t stop crying. Her mother promised that all would work out and that the agony in Bella’s heart would subside, and she’d feel
