Part 20 (2/2)

”So what did you tell James?”

”I told him the truth, all of it.”

Sterling raised one eyebrow at her. ”In that case, I'm surprised he didn't hang around to b.u.mp me off.”

She shrugged. ”I talked him out of it.”

”I appreciate that.”

He sat down on a bench and pulled her down next to him, taking her hand in his. ”And just what did you say to him that saved my life?”

Colby glanced up at him and wondered how Sterling would handle what she was about to say. ”I told him I had no intentions of honoring that contract between us.”

”And he fell for that?”

”Yes, because it's the truth, Sterling. I can't give up my child,” she said seriously, and honestly.

Sterling released Colby's hand and stood. He stared down at her. His expression was unreadable. ”You're totally serious, aren't you?”

Tilting her chin, she stood and faced him. ”Yes, so you might as well go ahead and sue me.”

He reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. ”I'd rather continue to love you,” he whispered before his head came down and his mouth covered hers.

Because Sterling's kiss had sent immediate shock waves coursing throughout Colby's body, it was an entire minute before the meaning of his words sank into her mind. She suddenly broke off their kiss. ”What did you say?”

Sterling smiled at the look of disbelief on her face. ”I said I love you. And don't worry about me suing you because there's no longer a contract. I contacted Edward before my plane landed today and ordered him to destroy it, as well as the prenuptial agreement. So now, Colby, you're stuck with me. Forever.” Sterling pulled her into his arms.

”Oh, Sterling,” she said as tears began clouding her eyes. She felt as though she had just awakened from a dream-a wonderful, glorious dream. The knowledge that he loved her sent her pulse in overdrive.

”Colby?”

She lifted her head and looked up at him. The moon's light silhouetted his features and she could see the intense look that lined his face. ”Yes?”

”How do you feel about me?”

She was surprised he even had to ask. There was a glint of mischief in her eyes when she said, ”You have moved up a notch above Denzel. And since I've gotten to know you better, I even like you much better as a man.”

”Colby!”

”What?”

He lifted her face to meet his eyes. The look in his expression was serious. ”I have to know how you feel about me.”

She looked at him, reading the anxiety in his eyes. Then it suddenly occurred to her that this was all new to him, these emotions he was experiencing. And it was important that he knew just how she felt. As far as he was concerned, no woman had ever really loved him before.

She lifted her hand to rub gently across his beard. ”I love you, Sterling, and I have loved you for some time. I fell in love with you in California. I realized how I felt about you the day you took me to your home in Malibu. I love you with all my heart and soul.”

He stared down at her for a long moment before saying, ”Thank you for loving me.”

Colby gazed into his eyes with all her love clearly s.h.i.+ning in hers. Her voice was soft as a whisper when she said, ”It is my pleasure.”

The reddish-brown highlights of dawn seeped across the mountains and into Sterling's bedroom. His eyes were open. He had awakened during the predawn hours.

Colby sighed in her sleep and snuggled closer to his body. Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. Her body felt heavenly curled up against his. And her perfume, that arousing feminine scent he'd come to accept as part of her, surrounded him.

He gazed down and regarded her thoughtfully. Their marriage wouldn't be normal by any means. Their home life would be chaotic and their private life would be nonexistent. And they would have to work harder than most married couples at building and maintaining a solid relations.h.i.+p. But as he stared down at her, he knew she was worth everything.

Colby s.h.i.+fted in his arms, slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him. She smiled.

Sterling felt as if his entire world opened up with that one smile, and he silently pledged to love her for the rest of his life. He pulled her closer into his arms and whispered the words, ”I love you,” before leaning down and touching her lips in a soft, gentle kiss.

Chapter 21.

Colby stood on the porch and watched Sterling load his luggage into the trunk of the car. He was getting ready to leave for Spain.

She sighed heavily and leaned her head back to rest against the huge wooden post. He would be gone for a month and she would miss him terribly.

She couldn't help but think about the last five days they had spent together. Their time together had been private, precious and intimate. They had walked hand-in-hand over every inch of his land, sharing stolen kisses during the day among the thickets of plants and trees, and then again at night underneath the dark, moon-kissed sky.

They had engaged in long serious conversations with topics ranging from the challenges she felt were facing schoolteachers today, to his desire to one day direct and produce his own movie.

He had also explained the things that went into making a motion picture telling her how the special effects were done and why he enjoyed performing most of his own stunts.

They had also talked seriously about their marriage. He had told her she was now his first priority in life, and he intended to make their marriage work. It was important that they fill their marriage with constant support, understanding and open communication. Their marriage, like most celebrity marriages, would be faced with many challenges from overzealous fans wanting to know everything about them to the media trying to oblige their readers at any cost.

She had agreed that when he was on location making a movie for extended periods of time, she would stay with him whenever possible.

They also talked about what she wanted to do with her time. She loved teaching and if the opportunity ever presented itself for her to return to the cla.s.sroom, she would consider it. He had no problem with that and even liked the idea of her wanting to teach in Hamilton.

By the end of each of their discussions, she'd felt within her heart that together they would be able to handle whatever pressures came their way. Love, faith and trust would be the key ingredients to them having a successful marriage.

When Sterling placed the last piece of luggage in the car he turned and looked at her. His gaze was serious, thoughtful. She had no idea what he was thinking to cause such an intense look in his eyes because her own mind was filled with her own thoughts. They were thoughts of him and how much she loved him.

He slowly walked over to her and extended his hand to her. ”Come on, baby. Let's go for a walk.”

She nodded and placed her hand in his.

For the first few minutes they walked in silence. Then she spoke.

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