Almost ten. Jace sat out on the back deck of The Eye gazing out over the dark water. She hadn’t made contact since sending that picture of her panties, and every call since had gone straight to voicemail.

Maybe she changed her mind.

Maybe she considered her options, and made a different decision for her future.

Whatever the truth, he’d wait. Waiting was all he had.

Cleo walked around the corner to his table, just as she had every half hour since he arrived. She glanced at his cell phone. “Nothing?”

“Not yet.”

“Maybe...” She bit her bottom lip, looked at him with pity in her eyes. “Maybe she’s not coming.”

“She’s coming.” She had to come. The alternative, that he’d lost her, was impossible to contemplate.

“Okay.” Cleo brightened. “Maybe another bottle of wine, then.”

“Yes. Will you join me for a glass?”

Cleo shook her head. “I’m still on duty.” She jerked her head to the full-length glass windows, and the crowded tables inside. “I can’t abandon things for another hour or so.” She plucked the empty bottle of red from the table. “I’ll send out another.”

There was only one road around the lakeshore. It was unlit, so the only way of seeing it from his position on the deck was when the headlights of a car traveling along it pierced the velvet night. His heart had done the whole leaping in his chest thing five or six times during the evening, but for the past half hour, there had been no traffic.

Now, the lights of two cars, driving close together, flashed through the darkness. Weekend traffic. Maybe a couple of friends coming here for dinner, or going past The Eye to the holiday cottages further up the shore.

The wine waiter came out with a fresh bottle, and refilled his glass.

The headlights slowed and stopped. A figure walked from the front car to the second. Moments later, the figure walked back, climbed into the car, which then sped off.

The second car moved again, slower this time.

He was on his feet walking around the deck to the front of the restaurant as it pulled up outside. The car had seen better days, but the woman who exited it…she was totally gorgeous. Red hair was piled up on top of her head, Grecian goddess style. In the dim light cast by the restaurant’s outside light, he couldn’t make much of the details, but the dress she wore dipped low in the front, showing her beautiful curves to perfection. Her mouth turned up in a smile. “I’m here. Finally.” Her forehead creased. “I got lost. If it hadn’t been for the kindness of a stranger showing me the way, I don’t think I’d ever have got here. My cell died—”

Who cared about the details? He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. Claimed her mouth with a kiss that must show her exactly how he felt. Relieved. Overwhelmingly relieved that she was here. That they were together at last.

When they finally came up for air, he stroked her cheek. “You look beautiful.” He grasped her hand. “Come on.”

He led her around the deck to the table. The moon cast its ghostly light over the lake, reflecting silver glints in the water’s smooth surface. He edged out her chair, then once she was seated, sat himself.

“Wine.” He poured a glass. “You hungry?”

“Honestly, I’m past hunger.” She grimaced. “I’m so late, the kitchen must be closed at this stage. I’ll have to follow you on the road out of here; once I’m on a main route I should be able to find my way back to Portland tonight.”

He shook his head. He’d already called Rory and told him he wouldn’t return until morning. He waved to the dock. “I have other plans.”

Her gaze tracked his to Bang Bang, tied up and ready. “We’re sailing back?”

“The boat may be rockin’, but we’re not sailing anywhere.” Sure, it was corny, but he’d gone all-out in his decoration of the yacht. The double bed below deck had been strewn with red rose petals, and every surface was covered in candles, just ready to be lit.

He looked up at Cleo’s approach. Three members of the staff walked behind her carrying the other surprise he’d arranged. “I expected you’d pass on the main course, and the invitation was for dessert.” He smiled at Cleo as she placed the first couple of dishes on the table. “I ordered everything.”

Chocolate mousse, crème caramel, cheesecake. Ally’s eyes widened as each server placed new dishes on the table.

“Everything?”

“All fifteen desserts from the menu.” Cleo refilled their glasses with a smile. “This man’s a keeper.”

“I know.” Ally’s gaze held his, and in the depths of her eyes was pure, naked emotion. A look full of promise, full of love.

The moment they were alone, he covered her hand with his. He hadn’t told her how he felt, hadn’t wanted to push when she wasn’t ready, but there was no way he would hide any longer. “The past few weeks have been hell. I don’t want to be without you for one moment longer. I love you.”

She looked at his mouth. Then back up to his eyes. “I love you too.” She stood up enough to lean all the way across the table to kiss him. “Even more than chocolate,” she breathed against his lips. “But luckily, I don’t have to choose.”