‘Are you asking me to marry you?’
Cristina held his gaze. The certainty she had craved for her entire life rose up inside her and she nodded. ‘Yes. Yes, I am.’
She held her breath, her pulse jumping with hope and love, and then with joy as relief and happiness spread across his face and he kissed her again.
‘Is that a yes?’ she croaked, when finally he lifted his mouth.
He pulled her closer, steadying her body against his, his eyes as dark and damp as the surf-splashed rocks beneath their feet.
‘No. But this is.’
And, lowering his mouth, he kissed her again, pressing her so close that nothing could come between them.
*