Page 95 of Love Is: Two Bodies One Soul

ChapterThirty-Four

Sensing Lexie watching him anxiously,Owen surveyed their kit, neatly stacked, ready for loading into the helicopter.

‘Are we packed?’ she asked.

‘All done.’ He smiled at her, feeling the strain in his face, trying to ignore his exhaustion. It was a relief to be ready to go, but he wouldn’t totally relax until they were off the island. Then he might sleep for a week.

‘How long before the helicopter gets here?’

Owen glanced at his watch. ‘Another hour, I suppose. That’s if they set out immediately.’

He threw himself down on the ground beside her and, giving in to temptation, closed his eyes. He was shattered.

* * *

Lexie stretched overand ran her fingers through Owen’s hair. It was so soft, like silk. She stroked the dark curls away from his forehead, and revealed two horizontal lines. He’d saved her today; carried her away from the saltwater crocodile. A creature he’d previous mentioned in the list of the things that scared him most when they’d been laughing about the gecko in the tent incident. Smiling to herself and trailing her fingers across his brow, Lexie thought, my hero, Owen. My brave hero.

His sapphire blue eyes opened suddenly, catching her watching. ‘What are you thinking?’

‘That you’re my hero, and I love you.’

‘And I love you too, cariad.’ He stretched out his arms and gathered her to his side. ‘You know, I’d do anything for you, don’t you?’

‘Including carry me away from crocodiles when you’re dead on your feet.’

‘Including that,’ Owen chuckled.

‘What else?’

‘I don’t know. You name something, anything … except for the moment, anything involving money. I’m broke. But anything else. Name it, and I’ll do it to prove my love.’

‘Really … anything?’

‘Yes. Whatever you want.’

Lexie snuggled into his shoulder. ‘Would you give up drinking for me?’

‘Seriously?’

‘Yes.’

‘I thought you said you believed I’m not an alcoholic.’

‘I did, Ido. It’s true, I don’t think you are – yet. But you could be perilously close. Besides, it’s not good for you. You know that. It does bad things to your body. And I rather like your body. I’d like you to keep it in good working order for me.’

‘Lex,’ he sighed and trying to hold off disappointment, she waited for him to say no. She’d pushed him too far, asked for something he would not or could not do for her.

‘You really want me to give up completely?’ He tilted his head so he could see her face.

‘Yes.’

‘No more single malt?’

‘That’s right.’

‘Not even for special occasions?’

‘Not even.’

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