Page 94 of Modern Romance Collection February 2025, 5-8

‘I want you as my wife, if you’ll have me. I’ve never wanted anything more. I was living a half-life, and you brought me back, like a shock to the chest. Made me look at myself, to realise what was important. You—loving you—is what I wanted more than anything, yet pushing you away seemed like the only option to protect myself.’

‘And now?’

‘It’s all down to you. The decision’s yours. I’ll spend my whole life proving that I’m worthy of you, if you’ll let me.’

She looked at him. He was so earnest, open. Nothing was hidden, not any more. The shutters on his heart and soul had been lifted. She saw the love in the softness of his reverent gaze. Did she want him? Could she forgive him?

If he held open his arms... Ana knew she would always run into them.

‘Would you catch me?’

The corners of his mouth curled into a slow smile that kindled a flame deep inside her. One she’d never thought she’d feel again.

‘Mon amour. Come running, and you’ll see.’

My love...

‘I don’t need to, because Iknow. I love you, Aston. For the way you believed me—believedinme—protected me. You had my heart before I even realised it could be possible.’

He let go of her hands and reached into his trouser pocket. She missed his touch immediately. She needed him to hold her, never to let her go. When he pulled his hand from his pocket he held a ring box.

‘Is that...?’

‘The ring, if you want it. Or I’ll buy another, if you need a different memory. Only remember, I didn’t buy you. I know your heart was never for sale.’

Ana didn’t need to think. She held out her left hand, which trembled as Aston removed the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger.

‘I like my ring there,’ he said. She smiled, turning her hand in the light so that it glittered.

‘Me too.’

He reached out and slipped the cocktail umbrella from behind her ear, twirling it between his fingers.

‘Been having fun?’

‘I hope to.’

He grinned. ‘I’ve asked you once, but I’ll ask you again, because it’s what you deserve. Will you marry me?’

Ana tapped her chin. She knew the answer, but making him wait wasn’t a bad thing... They had the rest of their lives to spend together, after all.

‘Are you a betting man, Mr Lane?’

His pupils darkened. ‘I’ve been known to take a risk or two.’

‘Then today you should lay all your money down on my becoming your wife.’

Aston cupped her cheek and lowered his mouth to hers. ‘And that, my goddess, is a fairy tale I cannot wait for.’

EPILOGUE

ASTONLEANEDAGAINSTthe railing of a terrace in the cool of a clear, spring morning. The early rays of sunlight painted the soaring peaks of the Himalayas in gold. He and Ana had arrived in Nepal a week earlier, taking a helicopter to this place, one of the highest hotels in the world. Here, with the shutters pulled back on the windows, they could see the mountains from their suite. They dominated every view—from the stone terrace where they ate their breakfast, to the infinity pool overlooking the fir-covered valley below, where he and Ana sipped cocktails in the afternoons.

He reached beside him and gripped the handle of an ice-axe: his father’s. The one Michel had wanted to take to the summit of Everest. He held it up against the backdrop of the mountains. Whilst Aston wouldn’t be carrying it there, itwouldbe going, because today was an important day...

A warm hand slid up his back, fingers threading through his hair. He smiled and closed his eyes for a few moments to relish the touch.

‘Hello, my beloved wife.’

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