“They might not even remember me,” he said.
“I’m sure they do now. If the curse broke on you, it broke on them. They’ll be searching for you.”
“I can’t even imagine.”
I knew what he meant by the words. He couldn’t imagine anyone caring about him. He’d been alone so long that the idea was entirely foreign.
I care about you! I wanted to cry.
Instead, I pinched my lips closed.
“We’re going to finish your house first,” he said.
“You can’t keep putting me first.”
“You’ve been putting me first. Insisting we go away to Avalona, to Wales, all while you’re on a deadline to finish this house if you want to keep it.”
He was right. It had been my fear that I’d put a man’s interests before my own. But it was different with Rafe because he also put me first.
We’d been putting each other first all along.
The enormity of it made my throat tighten.
This felt real—real in a way it had never felt before.
“Isobel.” He stepped closer, his voice rough. He reached out to cup my cheek, and I leaned into him. “I’m not leaving you until you don’t need me anymore.”
I drew in an unsteady breath. “Rafe.”
He leaned down and held his lips over mine, waiting for something. For permission, I realized.
We’d agreed to not do this, and yet, I couldn’t remember why. Whether or not this could last forever, I wanted it right now.
I leaned up and pressed my lips to his. The cool wind whipped past us as he picked me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist and kissed him, feeling the starlight on my skin.
He spun me in a circle, and joy filled me.
“I want you,” I breathed against his mouth. “Now. Tonight.”
He nipped at my lip, then carried me down the hill. We made it as far as the chairs in front of Lavender House. With the moon high above, we made love against the backdrop of the sea and stars.
The feeling of Rafe beneath me, inside of me, was so glorious, so overpowering, that I could feel it imprint on me. Pleasure like I’d never known flushed through me, and I kissed him with all the passion in my soul. More than anything, I didn’t want this to end.
But it would, a thought that I tried to drive from my mind as I desperately chased the pleasure that he promised. No matter what happened, we would have tonight. And for now, that would have to be enough.
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
Isobel
The next week passed in a blur of work and happiness. Rafe and I had taken it to the next level, and even though I knew we shouldn’t have, I couldn’t help but love every second of it.
We spent the most glorious week together, working on the house and then living our lives in the evening. They were short evenings due to the long hours at Lavender House, but we always ate dinner together, then shared his bed. It was magical.
He hadn’t yet contacted his family, and I had a feeling he needed a bit of time to process the changes that were about to come. But they had to know he was alive now, so at least they had the hope of seeing him soon. That made me feel a bit less guilty about keeping him to myself for the last week.
By my twenty-eighth day in Charming Cove, Lavender House was complete. The contractors had put the finishing touches on their work, I’d repainted any areas of the wall that had been disturbed by the electrical and plumbing repairs. Rafe had put the finishing touches on all the gorgeous woodwork, and I’d even got some furniture from Vivienne. She was redecorating Blackthorn Hall, the ducal estate where she lived on the outskirts of town, and she’d had loads of gorgeous old furniture that needed a new home. With Vivienne and Madeline’s help, we’d arranged it all into a quirky, eclectic house with character.
I loved it.
Even Poa liked it, despite the lack of figurines to watch her every move.
Rafe and I stood on the lawn, looking at the beautiful stone house with its new roof. Aria had planted some bushes and autumn flowers, and the exterior of the house looked perfect.
“It’s gorgeous.” I leaned against Rafe, staring up at the house.
“It really is.”
“And now it’s time to go see your pack.”
He frowned down at me. “The solicitor will be here the day after tomorrow to check on the house—”
“I know. But the house is finished. I can come back in time to meet the solicitor, but your family has waited long enough.”
“You’re right.” Guilt flashed on his face. “They know I’m alive. A pack can feel when it loses a member. But all the same, I should go see them. I want to go see them.”
“Definitely.” I grinned at him.
“Come with me.”
I drew in a shuddery breath. I’d been hoping he would ask. I’d even spoken like I planned to go. But I loved hearing that he wanted me there. “I’ll get packed for the night. Shall we meet in an hour and go? We’ll make it there by evening if there isn’t too much traffic.”
“Okay.” He reached for my hands and squeezed them. “Thank you, Isobel.”
“It was nothing.” I stepped back, about to go.
He tightened his grip, his gaze intense. “It was everything.”
I drew in a shuddery breath and nodded. There was nothing I could say to that.
He released my hands, and I hurried upstairs to pack a bag. On my way back down, I heard a car in the drive. When I went outside, I saw that Emma, Holly, Aria, and Tabitha had arrived. They climbed out of Aria’s car.
“Hello!” Emma waved a bunch of flowers at me.
Tabitha hurried around the side of the car, a big white bakery box clutched in her hands. I spotted Margot’s logo on the side.
“What are you guys doing here?” I asked, smiling as they approached.
“We came to see the house!” Emma shoved the bouquet at me. “I heard from Vivienne that the furniture is all in and the place is done!”
“It is.” I grinned. I still had about twenty minutes before we were meant to go to Wales. “I can show you really quickly. Come on.”
I led them up the hill to the house, letting them in through the beautiful blue front door. We’d painted it a glossy navy, and it looked gorgeous with the fall wreath hanging on the front.
The main foyer gleamed—everything from the newly varnished wooden floors to the shining light fixtures. Vivienne’s beautiful old side table sat against the wall, an antique lamp on the top. I would put the bouquet on that table as soon as I had a vase.
“It’s gorgeous,” Emma breathed.
“Let me show you the rest.” I led them on a tour of the house, and my soul lit up with happiness as we walked into each room. Every window had a view of the sea or the green hills, and I couldn’t believe how lucky I was.
As for the house? It was clearly happy with its new paint and varnished floors and properly sealed roof. The beautiful kitchen and baths suited the traditional style of the house, but they now had all the amenities that had been lacking before.
I could have stayed here all night, looking at every new feature, but the hour was nearly up, and I needed to meet Rafe.
I turned to my friends. “I’ve got to go, but you guys stay here as long as you like. There’s even milk in the fridge for tea.”