Page 79 of The CEO's Revenge

“I can’t forget it.”

“Neither can I. You see, five years ago, the night before your birthday to be exact, just like tonight, I was on a mission. I had made so many plans for your birthday, Savannah. We were going to go to the restaurant where we had had our first date. Then after I had wined and dined you I was going to take you for a walk along the pier. We would gaze up at the stars, pretty much like we’re doing now. And I was going to take you back to my apartment and make sweet love to you before giving you something else.”

I gazed at him as he looked down at me. In the light of the hurricane lamps I could see the love shining in his eyes.

“These lamps are interfering with the stars, don’t you think?”

I laughed softly as the waiters went around extinguishing each lamp and candle, plunging the outdoor restaurant into darkness. He was right, the stars seemed much brighter without the other lights competing. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I heard something like an explosion, and almost jumped out of my skin.

“What the hell was that?”

“Looks like fireworks. Look.”

He pointed to the sky. Indeed, there were the unmistakable bursts of fireworks. I watched as the sky turned red with a giant heart. Then a series of fireworks were released. I watched in awe as letters appeared. Then my mouth dropped open as I realized what the letters meant.

Marry me Savannah

I clapped my hand over my mouth as I turned to find Max kneeling at my feet. He was holding up a small box which housed a beautiful diamond ring on a velvet bed.

“Savannah, so much time has been stolen from us, so it’s only fitting that I pick up where I left off all those years ago. Savannah Maitland, will you do me the honor of marrying me and making me the happiest man in the world?”

Without hesitation, I threw my arms around him, nodding and showering his face with kisses.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!”

He laughed and pushed the ring onto my finger. Then he went and cupped his hands around his mouth and bellowed, “She said yes!”

I heard cheers and applause erupt from the waiters, the diners inside the restaurant, and the people on the beach. He pulled me into his arms. Even more fireworks filled the night sky as we sealed our deal with a blazing kiss.

Later that night as our bodies met, and I showed him, even though my Thai pronunciation was lousy, I knew how to love for a long, long time.

EPILOGUE

Savannah

Nine Months Later

My eyes blinked wearily. Everything seemed to be surrounded by a haze. I could hear machines beeping. I tried to move my arm, but it felt heavy. A tube was in it. My body felt sore.

“It’s good to have you awake, Mrs. Blackstone.”

“Water,” I croaked. My lips felt dry and cracked.

The nurse gave me a cup with a straw and I sipped from it, a figure moved from the corner. Quite suddenly, Max was standing over me. He smiled down at me as he smoothed a lock of hair away from my forehead.

“Hey, Beautiful.”

I groaned. “I don’t feel very beautiful.”

He kissed my cheek softly. “You’ll always be beautiful to me.”

“Am I going to fall into your MILF category now?” I asked cheekily.

“There’s only one woman in that category,” he replied loyally.

“Better be,” I mock threatened.

As if on cue, came two other nurses wheeling two carts. They each picked up a bundle. Tears filled my eyes as I remembered the last moments before they had put me out.

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