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Ransom Page 24


  “Zara, I love you. I don’t care about anything else. If you love me everything else will work itself out. Come with me to Mendoza.”

  “So, you want me just to drop everything and go with you to a mountain in the Andes.”

  “Yes. I want you to try it. I know once there you’ll never want to leave., but if you decide you don’t want to stay…” His voice broke.

  She finished his sentence. “You’ll let me go?”

  He nodded. “I’ll let you go.” He stood and pulled her in and gave her an awkward hug. She could hear his heart pounding in his chest, and then everything went to slow motion. He raised her chin, his gaze locked on her and he pressed his lips to hers.

  She stiffened, her instincts telling her to stop it while she could. But his tongue sought hers and his moan of desire and passion surged through her setting fire to her world. Losing control, her heart and body betrayed her. With a will of their own, her fingers entangled in his hair. When finally their lips parted, she breathed. “I’d like to sample some of this extraordinary Malbec you’re producing.”

  The depth of his vocal register vibrated inside of her. “There’s a bottle waiting for you, and a lifetime of love waiting for both of us.”

  It was crazy, but she couldn’t deny her feelings for him. She believed him. But most importantly, she knew he was her second chance, and considering what he’d been through she knew she was his. If I don’t follow my heart, who am I?

  “It would be interesting to see this vineyard of yours. I can’t promise I’ll stay, but when would we leave?”

  “Now.” He took her hand and kissed it.

  They walked together with Lulu trotting ahead at the end of the leash.

  “I’m afraid. What if this is a mistake?”

  “There are no mistakes in life, habibi. There are just lessons to be learned and wasted opportunities. We’ve wasted enough time already. It’s time to believe anything is possible. It’s time to believe in love.” His fingers tipped his hat as he greeted the fishermen.

  “You think it will all fall into place. That it’s possible you and I can just pick up where we left off.”

  “It’s just a matter of time and perspective.”

  Maybe he’s right. If we try it just might work.

  He handed her into a black Mercedes with dark tinted windows and got in beside her. Behind the wheel, a mustached man observed them in the rear view mirror. Mustafa held her hand and met the man’s gaze. “Vámonos. Es hora de que nos vayamos a casa.”

  He answered the question he read in her eyes. “It’s time for us to go home, habibi.”

  The End

  About the Author

  Belle Ami is an Amazon bestselling author of romantic suspense/thrillers, with a time-travel twist. Belle is a 2018 RONE Award finalist in the romantic suspense category for her novel Escape (Tip of the Spear Book One).

  She’s also a Readers Favorite Book Award Finalist for her time travel romance The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci (Out of Time Book One). She lives in Calabasas, CA with her wonderful husband and two kids. She also lives with Cindy Crawford and Giorgio Armani, a horse and a chihuahua.

  If you enjoyed this book, this author has other works available here:

  Author's Web Site

  Other Books by this Author:

  Escape

  Vengeance

  Hartwood Publishing delights in introducing authors and stories that open eyes, encourage thought, and resonate in the hearts of our readers.