Page 147 of The Romance Library

‘I did.’ A wide grin spread across his face. ‘Deep down, I’ve wanted to do it for a while. I don’t have to follow in my father’s footsteps. I’ve wasted enough years conforming to what he wanted. This is my life. I want to live it my way and follow my own path. I’m finally free,’ he exhaled. ‘And it feels fucking fantastic!’

Theo picked me up and spun me around.

‘I bet your dad is pissed!’

‘I don’t care! He’ll cut me off, I know that much. He’ll take the penthouse and the cars, but I have some savings. And if my time in Sunshine Bay has taught me anything, it’s that I don’t need much to make me happy. All I need is the woman I love.’

Theo held my gaze and I blinked, then blinked again as I took in what he’d just said.

‘You… love me?’

‘So fucking much.’ He pressed his lips on mine gently.

‘I thought I was the only one,’ I said.

‘I reckon there’s plenty of other people that love you, but I’m glad you love yourself too. That’s important!’ Theo chuckled.

‘Doh! I didn’t mean that I thought I was the only one who loved me!’ I slapped his chest playfully. ‘I meant I thought I was the only one that was in love—with you.’

Theo stilled.

‘You really know how to make a man’s day, don’t you?’ The biggest grin spread over his face. ‘Hearing that the most amazing woman in the universe loves me—they’re the sweetest words that have ever been spoken.’

‘That sounds like a line out of a romance novel.’

‘It’s all my own words. But if you like, I can record an audio version…’ He smirked.

‘I’d like that very much!’

Theo closed the gap between us and kissed me. As our mouths moved together, a warm feeling rushed through me.

Theo loved me.

He’d told me he loved me, and I felt it.

I felt it in the way that he kissed me.

I felt it in the way he held me and all the wonderful things he’d done to help me.

It was so brave of him to tell his dad that he was quitting. I wanted to see him fly. And support him as he achieved his goals. Just like he’d done for me.

As we broke away from the kiss, we stared into each other’s eyes.

‘I’m so proud of you, Jess.’ He brushed a curl away from my face.

‘Thanks. I’m proud of you too.’

‘Why?’

‘Because you had the balls to tell your arsehole dad to stick his job. That can’t have been easy.’

‘Actually, it was. I couldn’t do that job and stay here with you, so there was no contest.’

‘You’re going to stay? Here in Sunshine Bay?’

‘Yes. If that’s okay with you? We can look for a flat or house together. As much as the B&B grew on me, I think it’d be nicer if we had our own place. What do you say?’

‘I say hell yeah!’ I threw my arms around him again. ‘And any thoughts on what you might like to do, career-wise?’

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